Nanshan West Poplar Valley

Nanshan West Poplar Valley

Nanshan West Poplar Valley is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Nanshan Pasture is vast. From west to east, it is divided into West Poplar Valley, Chrysanthemum Terrace, East Poplar Valley, Zhaobi Mountain, Miaogou Valley, and Daxigou. Nanshan West Poplar Valley is 80 kilometers from the city center. Located on the northern foothills of the Kalawucheng Mountain in the Northern Tianshan range, it sits in the transition zone between mid-altitude and low-altitude mountains, at an elevation of 2,252 meters. It is one of the most typical scenic areas in Nanshan Pasture.

The area features steep mountains and herds of cattle and sheep. At the end of the valley lies a natural cliff, where a waterfall cascades down from a height of over 40 meters with a width of about 2 meters. At the base of the fall, mist rises gently, and rainbows often appear. In the spruce groves, you can find the yurts of Kazakh herders. Visitors can visit local homes, enjoy milk tea, and try hand-pulled lamb. Afterwards, you can rent a horse to explore the grasslands. If you're lucky, you might even catch sight of horse racing, sheep-snatching competitions, or the “girl-chasing” game.

Travelers wishing to experience the grassland night scene can stay overnight here. On the grassy slopes, there are yurt guesthouses operated by the Nanshan Scenic Area Management Office, and there is also a restaurant at the foot of the slope to meet accommodation and dining needs. Nights in the mountains are cool, so visitors should bring warm clothing. Additionally, it's advisable to bring a flashlight for lighting when going out. Transportation: Every day, a shuttle bus departs from the main entrance of People’s Park in the city center to Poplar Valley, allowing for a same-day round trip. It’s best to arrive at the bus pick-up point before 8:30 AM; otherwise, once the bus leaves, you’ll have to spend quite a bit to hire a private car.

Urumqi, Xinjiang