It's a pity you're not coming to Nalati, how else would you experience its romance

🌄 Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions (Including Hidden Experiences)

1. Sky Grassland (Core Scenic Area) 📍High mountain meadow at 1,800-3,000 meters elevation
🐎Must-try experience: Horseback riding through flower fields (80 yuan/hour)
📸Best photo spot: Walk 15 minutes from the nomadic family station toward the snow mountains
🌸Seasonal highlight: Wild flowers bloom in June-July

2. Valley Grassland (Photography Paradise)
🌊Popular spot: Tawusani Stream reflections
✅Special activity: Kazakh Kokpar performances daily at 11:00/17:00
🚶‍♂️Hiking route: Forest Park → Wuoertajiata (5 km wooden plank path)

3. Snow Lotus Valley (Close encounter with snow mountains)
❄️Touch glaciers even in summer (shuttle bus required)
💡Hidden experience: Search for wild snow lotus near the snow line
⚠️Note: Elevation 3,000 meters, bring oxygen bottles

4. Heavenly Platform (Panoramic viewpoint)
🌅Best spot for sunrise and sea of clouds
📡Unique sight: Giant radar station on the grassland
🚌Transportation: Get off at the third stop of the shuttle bus

5. Panlong Ancient Road (Self-driving highlight)
🚗12 km of continuous hairpin turns
🦅Common wildlife: Golden eagles, marmots
🕒Best time: Evening light is softest


🍖 Special Food Map

🍢 Kazakh Flavors:
1. Grassland Roasted Whole Lamb
🏠Recommendation: "Shepherd's Home" in Nalati Town
💰Average cost: 150 yuan (reservation required 3 hours in advance)
🍶Pairing: Kumiss (beware of the aftereffect)

2. Naren (Traditional hand-pulled noodles with meat)
🍜Must-try: Belt noodles + original lamb broth
🌶️Hidden tip: Add onions and chili sauce

3. Baursak + Milk Tea
🕒Best time: Breakfast
🏡Experience: Freshly fried dough at a herder's home

🍽️ Chinese Cuisine Recommendations:
Western Regions Restaurant (Nalati Town)
🥘Signature dish: Big plate chicken with naan bread
🌿Bonus: Lavender field in the backyard

Sichuan-Xinjiang Restaurant (next to the parking lot)
🌶️Must-have comfort food: Boiled beef in chili oil
🥬Seasonal wild vegetables: Stir-fried wild leeks with eggs

🏕️ Accommodation Recommendations (3 types of experiences)

🌌 Grassland Stargazing Rooms:
1. Nalati Hidden Grass Cottage B&B
✨Feature: Panoramic glass room for viewing the Milky Way
🛁Facilities: Floor heating + stargazing telescope
💰Price: 800-1,200 yuan/night

2. Kazakh Yurt Experience
🏕️Recommendation: Inside the Nomadic Family Scenic Area
🔥Includes: Bonfire party + breakfast
💰Price: 300-500 yuan/yurt (accommodates 4-6 people)👭

🏨 Comfortable Hotels:
Nalati Tourism Hotel
✅Advantage: Official hotel of the scenic area
🚌Free shuttle to the visitor center
💰Price: 400-600 yuan/night

Western Regions Resort
🌿Feature: Garden-style courtyard
🍴Includes special ethnic song and dance dinner
💰Price: 500-800 yuan/night

🚐 RV Campsite:
Nalati International RV Campground
🚍Facilities: Water and electricity hookups + public bathrooms
🌄Location: Facing the snow mountains
💰Price: 600-900 yuan/vehicle

🚗 Complete Transportation Guide

✈️ Long-distance Transportation:
Nearest airport: Nalati Airport (60 km from scenic area)
🚕Airport shared ride: 50 yuan/person
🚌Airport shuttle: 3 departures daily (25 yuan)

From Urumqi:
🚗Self-driving: Lianhuo Expressway + Duku Highway (8 hours)
🚄High-speed rail: Urumqi → Yining → shared ride (6 hours)

🚍 Scenic Area Transportation:
Shuttle bus routes:
🚌Sky Grassland line: 💰40 yuan/person (must-ride)👭
🚎Valley Grassland line: 💰24 yuan/person
🚐Snow Lotus Valley special line: 💰60 yuan/person

🚗Self-driving tips:
✅Vehicles allowed (300 yuan/car)
⚠️Speed limit 40 km/h (frequent cattle and sheep crossings)

✈️ Long-distance Transportation:
Nearest airport: Nalati Airport (60 km from scenic area)
🚕Airport shared ride: 50 yuan/person
🚌Airport shuttle: 3 departures daily (25 yuan)

From Urumqi:
🚗Self-driving: Lianhuo Expressway + Duku Highway (8 hours)
🚄High-speed rail: Urumqi → Yining → shared ride (6 hours)

🚲 Special Transportation:
Electric vehicle rental: 💰80 yuan/hour (limited to Valley Grassland)
Horse carriage tour: 💰50 yuan/loop (suitable for families)

⚠️ Important Notes

🧳 Essential items:
1. Sun protection trio: Sunglasses + hat + SPF50+ sunscreen
2. Day-night temperature difference gear: Light down jacket + short-sleeve combination
3. Mosquito repellent (grassland mosquitoes are fierce)

📌 Useful tips:
🎫Entrance fee: 95 yuan (valid for 48 hours)
🕒Best season: June-September (avoid rainy season in August)
🚫No-fly zone: Drones need to be registered in advance

✅️💡 Hidden benefits:
Free shuttle bus fee for entry before 8 AM
Half-price tickets with student ID
Collect stamps from 3 scenic spots to exchange for kumiss

📅 Itinerary Suggestions

One-day highlights tour:
Visitor Center → Sky Grassland → Nomadic Family lunch → Snow Lotus Valley → Heavenly Platform sunset

Two-day in-depth tour:
✅️Day 1: Valley Grassland hiking + Kazakh home visit
✅️Day 2: Self-driving on Panlong Ancient Road + stargazing photography

✅️Photography route:
⏰️05:30 Heavenly Platform sunrise → 09:00 Sky Grassland → 16:00 Valley light and shadow → 22:00 Milky Way photography

Post by EllaKuosma | Apr 27, 2025

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