Buying tickets is harder than reaching the sky, Narati

If I were to rate Narati, I'd give it 80 out of 100. The scenic area management needs improvement. The deduction is due to the hard-to-get self-driving tickets that deter many visitors, leaving them disappointed and turning back. No matter how beautiful the scenery is, the inability to purchase tickets significantly impacts the experience.

🌍 Recommended Route (Figure 2): Narati Scenic Area Entrance - Aerial Grassland - Nomadic Family for lunch - Snow Lotus Valley - Viral Bridge - Flower Sea - Panlong Valley Drive (suggest splitting into two days for a more relaxed experience).

1️⃣ I call it the hardest place to buy tickets in Xinjiang, bar none‼️
Before my trip, I was most worried about Narati's tickets. Online strategies for snagging tickets are endless. The rules change weekly—sometimes limiting 300 vehicles, sometimes allowing 300 more. No matter how they change, money seems to solve everything. Yet, I’ve never seen available tickets; to me, it’s always "sold out." In my eyes, Narati is a big scam 🤦.

2️⃣ Aerial Grassland 🐂🐑🐎 lives up to its name (Figures 4 & 5)
Initially, I dismissed Narati while staying at a homestay, but seeing the Aerial Grassland made me eat my words. It’s truly breathtaking—vast grasslands dotted with herds of cattle, sheep, and horses, backed by the snowy peaks of Snow Lotus Valley.

3️⃣ Snow Lotus Valley & Nomadic Family, but the Viral Bridge 🌲➖🌲 steals the spotlight
Snow Lotus Valley (Figures 6-8): After lunch at Nomadic Family, head deep into the scenic area to Snow Lotus Valley. A shuttle ride is required. The snow has mostly melted this season, and it’s not too cold. Snap some photos and head back.

Viral Bridge (Figure 9): On the way down, stop at the Viral Bridge for a quick photo. You might be disappointed—it’s not the dense grove and stream you imagined but an open area. Photography really is the art of subtraction.

Nomadic Family (Figures 10-12): Skip the crowded bridge and explore the wildflower slopes opposite. By late July, the hills are covered in orange wildflowers, making for stunning photos with the grassy mountains.

4️⃣ Panlong Valley ≠ Panlong Ancient Road (Figures 13 & 14)
This valley isn’t the famous ancient road. Winding through small woods, the surprising highlight is a fake tree at the top—does Xinjiang really need gimmicks? Use it as a marker; beyond it, the road descends to open views. Otherwise, there’s not much to see. The valley scenery is visible from outside, which I call Narati’s "front door."

💡 Practical Tips
1️⃣ Narati is best explored by self-driving; shuttle buses waste time in queues.
2️⃣ The Viral Bridge is crowded—try the wildflower slopes instead.
3️⃣ The tree in Panlong Valley is fake. This route is better at sunset.