Nalati Scenic Area

　　Off-season: 60 RMB/person (April 1 – June 9, October 1 – November 10); Peak season: 75 RMB/person (June 10 – September 30); Winter tourism period: Free admission to the scenic area (November 11 – March 31 of the following year). Round-trip to the Grassland in the Sky: 40 RMB/person; round-trip to the core scenic area – small loop line: 25 RMB/person; combined round-trip ticket for both routes: 60 RMB/person.

　　Transportation Overview:

　　　　Take a bus from Yining Bus Station to Nalati, arriving around noon. You can visit resort villages or the vast grasslands (you may skip the Forest Park as the scenery isn’t particularly noteworthy). There are very few buses from Yining to Nalati, and tickets are hard to come by. You can first buy a ticket to Xinyuan, then transfer to another bus to Nalati. The next afternoon, take a passing bus to Bayinbuluke (from Nalati to Kuqa, the buses are in poor condition and the roads are bad. Since these are passing buses, seating isn’t guaranteed, and they move very slowly — be prepared for this).

　　Introduction to Nalati Grassland:

　　 Legend has it that during Genghis Khan’s western campaign, a Mongolian army was marching from the depths of the Tianshan Mountains toward Ili. It was spring, but the mountains were covered in wind and snow. Hunger and cold had exhausted the troops when, upon crossing the mountain ridge, they suddenly encountered a vast, flowery prairie dotted with springs and babbling streams — as if they had entered another world. Just then, the clouds parted and the setting sun blazed crimson. The people couldn’t help but shout “Nalati (meaning ‘where the sun is’), Nalati!” — and thus the place got its name.

　　Nalati Grassland is a mid-mountain grassland developed on the ancient alluvial deposits of the Tertiary period. To the southeast, it connects with the Nalati high ridges, forming a barrier-like terrain, while to the northwest, it slopes broadly along the upper valley of the Gongnaisi River. The area is rich in mountain springs and crisscrossed with streams. Deep gullies cut along the mountainsides, with intertwined rivers, dense forests, gently undulating plains, pine cones standing tall in the valleys, as well as scattered yurts and moving herds of livestock. It serves as an important summer pasture for the Gongnaisi Grassland.

　　 The Nalati Scenic Area is located within the territory of Nalati Town, Xinyuan County, on the northern slope of the Chuluut Mountain. Centered around the Nalati Town Tourist Reception Station, it includes surrounding grasslands, horse racing grounds, and many other attractions. The area exudes the tranquility and serenity of a mountain village. The valley terraces are well-developed, the mountains are gentle with a slope of about 11–12 degrees, and the area is covered with lush mountain meadows dominated by fine-stemmed iris communities. Other accompanying plant species mainly include prickly thistle, false gentian, sedge, feather grass, fescue, strawberry, and thyme. From June to September, various wildflowers bloom all over the hills, displaying vibrant hues of red, yellow, blue, and purple, adorning the grassland with splendid colors.

　　 The Nalati Grassland Scenic Area has now taken initial shape. Further development of the scenic area is ongoing. The development of scenic spots should focus on digging into cultural depth, leveraging the advantages of natural landscape resources, and enhancing the quality and grade of tourist experiences.

　　 Nalati Grassland is composed of subalpine meadow plants, featuring lush and colorful mesophytic weeds and grasses, with plant heights of 50–60 cm and coverage reaching 75–90%. In mid-spring, the grass grows tall and flowers bloom abundantly, creating a carpet-like beauty that is extremely picturesque. Nalati receives up to 800 mm of annual rainfall, which is beneficial for the growth of pasture and supports a high livestock carrying capacity. Historically, Nalati Grassland was known as the “Deer Park.”

　　After June each year, large herds of livestock are moved in, marking the golden season of the grassland. Various traditional grassland activities are also often held at this time, leading some to say that Nalati is a paradise for grassland festivities.

Nalati Scenic Area

Nalati Scenic Area