Midnight Pastoral of Nalati: Who lit the lonely lamp at the foot of the snow-capped mountains?

Travel in Nalati
1. Best time to travel
June to August: Grasslands are green, wildflowers are in full bloom, and the climate is cool, making it a prime season for summer vacation and photography.
September-October: The autumn colors are colorful and the forests are full of colors, which is suitable for tourists who like tranquility.
Winter (December-March): The snow scenery is pure and you can experience ice and snow activities, but some areas may be closed.
2. Transportation
· Plane: Fly to Yining Airport, then charter a car or take a bus to Nalati (about 3 hours drive).
Train: Urumqi → Yining, then take a bus; or Urumqi → Nalati Town (special tourist train).
Self-driving: Take G218 or Duku Highway (open only from June to October) from Urumqi, and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.
3. 🏞️Recommended core attractions
1. Sky Grassland (Nomadic People)
A must-visit spot, with undulating terrain that seems to be suspended in the air. In summer, there are herds of cattle and sheep. You can experience horseback riding (about 80-100 yuan/hour). Internet celebrity bridge: Located near the Nomadic People Station, it is more photogenic in the early morning or evening when there are fewer people.
2. River Valley Grassland
·The area has winding streams, interweaving forests and grasslands, making it a great place for hiking or picnicking.
3. Panlong Valley Road
A paradise for self-driving enthusiasts, with winding roads passing through forests and snow-capped mountains, and stunning aerial views.
4. Snow Lotus Valley
Take the shuttle bus to the foot of the snow-capped mountains and experience the glacier relics up close (there is still snow in summer).
5. Tianjie Terrace
·The commanding height overlooking the panoramic view of the grassland, the light and shadow at sunrise and sunset are extremely beautiful.
4. Tickets and Fees
Ticket price: 95 yuan/person (peak season), 75 yuan/person (off-season). ·Inter-city train:
·Aerial grassland line: 40 yuan/person·Valley grassland line: 40 yuan/person·Panlong Valley Road: 100 yuan/person
Self-driving: 300 yuan/car (limited to 100 cars per day, reservation required in advance).
5. Accommodation suggestions
Nalati Town: There are many hotels and B&Bs in Nalati Town, which are very cost-effective. We recommend [Nalati Hidden Thatched Cottage B&B].
·In the scenic area: You can stay in a Kazakh yurt in the nomadic camp (about 300-500 yuan/night) to experience the ethnic customs.
High-end choice: Nalati Jinling Villa, with complete facilities and grassland outside the window.
6. 🍜Food Recommendations
Kazakh delicacies: hand-pulled mutton, horse meat narin (noodles), milk tea, baursak (fried pastries).
Specialty restaurants: Grassland Family Resort (roasted whole lamb must be booked in advance), "Western Region Restaurant" in the town.
seven,! ️Precautions
1. Sun protection and cold protection: The ultraviolet rays are strong, so you need to prepare sunscreen and sunglasses; the temperature difference between day and night is large, so bring a jacket.
2. Shuttle bus operation time: 8:00-20:00, plan your sightseeing time well.
3. Respect customs: Take off your shoes when entering the yurt and do not step on the threshold.
4. Environmental protection: Do not discard garbage at will and protect the grassland ecology.
8. 📜Itinerary reference (2 days and 1 night)
Day 1: Sky Grassland (nomadic people, Tianjie Terrace) → Valley Grassland → Stay in a yurt/Nalati Town.
Day 2: Drive along Panlong Valley Road → Xuelian Valley → return.
9. 🛵Nearby joint tours
Duku Highway: Nalati is the starting point of the northern section, which connects Kuitun and Bayinbuluke.
Kalajun Grassland: Drive for about 4 hours to experience the three-dimensional beauty of the "human grassland".