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Why Nalati Over Other Xinjiang Grasslands
Xinjiang has several famous grassland destinations: Bayinbuluke, Kanas, the Hemu area. Each has its own character. Nalati’s advantages:
Accessibility: Only 90km from Yining (Gulja), the Ili Valley’s main city, with good road connections Kazakh cultural immersion: The highest concentration of genuine Kazakh nomadic families offering homestays compared to other grassland areas The ridge experience: The “Sky Grassland” geometry of grassland over mountain ridges is unique to Nalati Wildflower season: June–July produces the densest wildflower displays in Xinjiang
The disadvantages are also worth noting: it’s more developed for tourism than Kanas or Hemu, and in peak season (July–August) Chinese domestic tourists arrive in numbers. Aim for shoulder season or weekdays to avoid the crowds.
Getting to Nalati
From Yining (伊宁市)
Yining is the gateway city for Nalati. The town has an airport and connects by road to the rest of Xinjiang.
Yining to Nalati by bus: Buses run from Yining Long-Distance Bus Station (伊宁长途汽车站) to Xinyuan County (新源县, the administrative center of the Nalati area). Journey: about 2.5 hours, ¥35. From Xinyuan, local taxis or shared minibuses reach the Nalati scenic area (another 40 minutes, ¥30–50).
By taxi/private car: Direct taxi from Yining to Nalati Scenic Area costs approximately ¥180–220. A full-day round trip with waiting costs ¥350–450.
Getting to Yining First
By air: Yining Airport (伊宁机场) has direct flights from Urumqi (50 min, from ¥200), Chengdu (3 hours, from ¥600), Beijing (4 hours, from ¥900), and Shanghai (4.5 hours, from ¥950). Book early for summer travel — this route fills up.
By train: The Lanzhou–Xinjiang high-speed rail reaches Yining (伊犁站) from Urumqi in about 3.5 hours. A slower overnight route from Urumqi to Yining station also runs.
By road (Duku Highway): The spectacular Duku Highway (独库公路, National Highway G217) connects Kuqa on the southern rim of the Tianshan to Korla and eventually Urumqi. This is considered one of China’s most scenic roads. It’s typically open May–October (closed in winter). Self-driving this route and entering the Ili Valley via the northern end is a classic Xinjiang road trip.
The Nalati Scenic Area
Entry and Getting Around
- Entrance fee: ¥120/person
- Eco-bus (required): ¥80/person for the scenic area bus circuit
- Combined day pass: ¥200 covers entry, eco-bus, and access to all developed viewpoints
The scenic area covers approximately 140 km² and is too large to walk. The eco-bus makes stops at several viewpoints and the main activity areas. You can get on and off at each stop.
Main Viewpoints
Eagle’s View Platform (雄鹰台) The signature view of Nalati — a ridge-top platform where the grassland visibly curves over the horizon in multiple directions. On clear days you can see the Tianshan peaks. This is the “Sky Grassland” view that appears in all the promotional photos. Best in morning light.
Spring and Autumn Festival Grounds (那拉提牧场) A large flat meadow area used for the annual Naadam-style festivals. When festivals aren’t running, it’s used for horse riding and yurt experiences. The scale of the meadow here is impressive.
Tianmu Lake Area (天幕湖) A small alpine lake with reflections of surrounding mountains. Less dramatic than Kanas or Nalati’s higher viewpoints but a peaceful picnic spot.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is available throughout the scenic area from Kazakh family operators. Prices: ¥80–120/hour for a guided ride. Full-day rides to remote grassland sections cost ¥400–600 including guide. If you’re a confident rider and want something more than a tourist loop, ask about “free riding” packages.
Staying in a Yurt with a Kazakh Family
This is the reason many people come specifically to Nalati rather than other grassland destinations. Genuine Kazakh family yurt stays — not the Instagram-perfect tourist yurts built for the scenic area — are available in the villages and pastoral areas around the main scenic zone.
How to Find Genuine Homestays
The tourist yurt camps inside the scenic area (¥200–400/night per person with meals) are comfortable but commercial. For a more authentic experience:
- Ask your hotel in Yining for referrals to Kazakh family homestays (哈萨克家庭民宿) in the Nalati area
- Wander through the village of Nalati Town (那拉提镇) and look for families with “民宿” or “家庭旅馆” signs
- Use local apps — search for 那拉提 哈萨克家庭 on Meituan or Ctrip
Authentic family yurts typically charge ¥80–150/night per person, including breakfast and dinner. The meals are the point: freshly made flatbread (nan), hand-pulled noodle soup, lamb and yogurt dishes. The yurts are insulated with felt layers and warm at night even when temperatures drop.
Kazakh Hospitality Culture
Kazakh hospitality traditions are strong. If invited for tea in a yurt, accept. The tea may be milky and slightly salty — this is traditional and worth trying with an open mind. Bread and jam are always offered alongside. Bringing small gifts from the city (quality fruit, sweets) is appreciated and reciprocates the generosity.
Don’t photograph people without asking. Learn a few Kazakh phrases: “Rahmet” (thank you), “Salamatsyzba” (hello) — the effort is appreciated enormously.
Nalati Festivals and Events
Naadam/Nayryz (那达慕/纳吾鲁孜节)
Kazakh communities celebrate their traditional New Year (Nayryz) in March and the Naadam summer festival with horse games, wrestling, and cultural performances. Exact dates vary by community.
Yili Valley Cultural Festival (伊犁文化节)
Summer festivals in the Ili Valley region generally celebrate Kazakh, Uyghur, and other Xinjiang ethnic cultures with music, food, and crafts. Timing varies by year — check Yining’s tourism bureau for 2026 dates.
Horse Racing
Informal horse races happen throughout the summer on weekends in pastoral areas near Nalati. If you’re in a yurt homestay, your host can usually point you to where the action is happening.
Nearby Attractions
Qiaolake (乔拉克衣拉克)
A spectacular canyon near Nalati with red rock walls and a river, less visited than the main grassland. About 30km from Nalati Town by road.
Gongnaisi Forest Park (巩乃斯国家森林公园)
Between Yining and Nalati, this spruce forest park has good hiking trails and the famous “Sky Forest” (空中林带) scenery. Worth a half-day stop on the drive.
Xinyuan County Town (新源县城)
The commercial center for the area, with better restaurant and hotel options than Nalati Town. Some travelers base themselves here.
Practical Information
Best months:
- June: Wildflower peak, lush green, pleasant temperatures
- July: Peak season, busiest crowds, warmest weather
- August: Still beautiful, crowds thinning
- September: Autumn colors beginning, less crowded, cooler
- October: Golden autumn on the grassland, cold nights
What to pack:
- Waterproof layer (rain is possible at any time)
- Warm jacket for evenings (temperatures can drop to 5–10°C even in July)
- Hiking boots if planning ridge walks
- Sunscreen — high altitude UV
Language: Kazakh is the local language, Uyghur is also widely spoken. Mandarin works with town dwellers and guesthouse owners. Very little English.
Photography: Early morning is dramatically better than midday for the ridge views. The quality of light on the sky grassland at 7–9am is exceptional.
Costs: Budget ¥150–200/day for food and accommodation in the pastoral areas. Add ¥200 for scenic area entry on your main day.
Respect: This is an important point for visiting Xinjiang. Read basic information about the region’s cultural context before you go. Be respectful of both Kazakh and Uyghur customs (modest dress, ask before photographing, decline nothing offered at a homestay table). The warmth you receive in return will be genuine.
Nalati is one of those places where the landscape itself is the main event, but the human element — the hospitality of Kazakh families living the same pastoral rhythms as their ancestors — makes it genuinely memorable rather than just scenically impressive.