Summer Nalati Grassland Ultimate Travel Guide
If you could only visit one grassland in Xinjiang, my recommendation would definitely be Nalati Grassland.
Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, crossed by clear streams, and dotted with grazing cattle and horses, Nalati feels like a living painting. Kazakh herders ride across the endless grasslands, and the scenery changes with every turn of the road.
The grassland was even listed as one of China’s “Six Most Beautiful Grasslands” by Chinese National Geography.
However, many first-time visitors have very different experiences here. The reason is simple:
Nalati is a huge scenic area and requires some planning to truly enjoy it.
The park is generally divided into three main sections:
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Sky Grassland
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Valley Grassland
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Panlong Valley Road
If you only have one day to explore Nalati, the following itinerary is one of the most efficient ways to experience the highlights.
Narat Grassland
Basic Information About Nalati
Opening Hours
Summer Season (May 1 – October 31)
08:00 – 20:00
Ticket Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance ticket | 95 RMB |
| Sky Grassland shuttle bus | 40 RMB |
| Valley Grassland shuttle bus | 24 RMB |
| Snow Lotus Valley shuttle bus | 60 RMB |
The entrance ticket is valid for 48 hours and allows two entries into the park.
If you enter again within 48 hours, the shuttle bus ticket will usually be half price, which makes it possible to explore the area more slowly over two days.
Self-Drive or Shuttle Bus?
One of the most common questions is:
Should you drive your own car or take the shuttle buses?
Both options work well, but they offer different experiences.
Advantages of Self-Driving
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More freedom to stop for photos
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Flexible itinerary
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Easier access to scenic viewpoints
Self-Drive Restrictions
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Vehicle must be 7 seats or fewer
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Camper vans must be under 7 meters long
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Driver must have at least 3 years of driving experience
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Reservation required in advance
Self-drive ticket price:
200 RMB per person (including entrance ticket)
Reservations are made through the “Zhiyou Nalati” mini program.
Tickets are released every day at 7:00 AM and can be reserved up to 7 days in advance.
If tickets sell out, it’s worth refreshing the system frequently. Sometimes additional spots are released the same morning.
Best One-Day Itinerary (Tested Route)
This route allows you to experience all three main scenic areas in one day.
9:00 AM – Start with Sky Grassland
Your first destination should be Sky Grassland.
The reason is simple:
Traffic becomes heavy after 10:00 AM.
The shuttle route is:
Visitor Center
→ Tianyun Platform
→ Tianjie Platform
→ Tianmu Platform
→ Nomadic Family (final stop)
It is best to go directly to the last stop: Nomadic Family.
The Famous Photo Spot: The Internet Bridge
From the Nomadic Family stop, walk a few hundred meters forward to reach the famous “Internet Bridge.”
A small stream flows through the grassland, with mountains in the distance. It is one of the most photographed locations in Nalati.
However, there is a useful trick.
If you do not want to queue for photos, simply walk along the stream for a few hundred meters.
You will find many similar views, often with no crowds at all.
Narat Grassland
11:00 AM – Decide Whether to Visit Snow Lotus Valley
If the weather is clear and visibility is good, you can buy a shuttle ticket to Snow Lotus Valley / Tianshen Platform.
Ticket price: 60 RMB
Route:
Nomadic Family
→ Tiancheng Platform
→ Tianshen Platform
This area offers one of the closest views of the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains.
However, if the weather is cloudy or foggy, it is better to skip this route because the mountains will likely be hidden.
1:00 PM – Lunch at the Visitor Center
Around midday, return to the visitor center for lunch and a short rest.
Food inside the park is slightly expensive but still reasonable for a scenic area.
Common options include:
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Lamb skewers
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Xinjiang rice pilaf
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Milk tea
A simple meal is enough before continuing the trip.
2:00 PM – Head to Panlong Valley Road
In the afternoon, begin exploring Panlong Valley Road.
On the way, you will pass two stops in the Valley Grassland area.
Tawusake
This area often features fields of small yellow wildflowers during summer.
The combination of flowers, grassland, and distant mountains creates an incredible landscape.
It is a great place for photos of:
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Grassland roads
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Wildflowers
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Grazing animals
Wusun Ruins
This is a cultural site representing the ancient Wusun civilization.
It is a reconstructed historical area and has also been used as a filming location for several historical dramas.
Visitors interested in history may enjoy exploring it briefly.
The Highlights of Panlong Valley Road
If you are traveling by shuttle bus, you must transfer at Yitigen Sai Station to continue toward Panlong Valley.
Major viewpoints include:
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Dragon Emerging from the Sea
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Sleeping Ox Hill
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Daigelas
Compared with Sky Grassland, this section has far fewer visitors, but the scenery is stunning.
Rolling green hills stretch endlessly, and snow mountains appear and disappear behind the clouds.
Many travelers consider this the most beautiful part of Nalati.
4:00 PM – Continue to Valley Grassland
After exploring Panlong Valley Road, continue toward Valley Grassland.
Here the grassland spreads along a river valley, creating a completely different landscape.
Along the road you will see:
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Flowing streams
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Gentle mountains
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Herds of cattle and horses
The atmosphere here feels peaceful and relaxing.
Narat Grassland
Final Stop: Tianying Platform
If you are driving, you can continue to the end of the Valley Grassland route.
From there, visitors with enough energy can hike toward Tianying Platform.
This viewpoint offers a wide panorama of the grasslands and sometimes you can see eagles soaring above the valley.
The Five Routes of Nalati Scenic Area
Nalati has three main routes and two additional routes.
Three Main Routes
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Sky Grassland
Visitor Center → Nomadic Family -
Valley Grassland
Visitor Center → Forest Park -
Panlong Valley Road
Yitigen Sai → Sleeping Ox Hill
Two Secondary Routes
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Snow Lotus Valley (Tianshen Platform)
Nomadic Family → Tianshen Platform
Best for viewing snow mountains.
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Woltajota Route
Daigelas → Wanhua Valley → Woltajota
This route is much quieter and suitable for deeper exploration.
Best Time to Visit Nalati
The most beautiful months are June to August.
June
Fresh green grass and blooming wildflowers.
July
The grassland is at its peak and herds of animals are everywhere.
August
The grass begins to turn golden, creating richer colors and layers.
Many photographers consider July the best month.
Narat Grassland
Practical Travel Tips
1. Visit Sky Grassland early
Try to enter the park before 9 AM to avoid traffic.
2. Don’t wait too long for the famous bridge photo
There are many similar photo spots along the stream.
3. Always bring rain gear
Nalati has a mountain grassland climate, and weather can change quickly.
Bring:
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A light waterproof jacket
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Umbrella
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Non-slip shoes
4. Wear waterproof shoes
The grass can be wet and muddy, and livestock roam freely across the grassland.
5. Cloudy weather can be beautiful
While sunny weather is ideal, foggy or rainy conditions often create a mystical atmosphere with clouds drifting through the valleys.
Why Nalati Is So Special
Many travelers visiting Xinjiang choose places like Kanas Scenic Area or Sayram Lake first.
But when it comes to experiencing the true spirit of Xinjiang’s grasslands, Nalati stands out.
Here you will see:
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Vast alpine meadows
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Crystal clear streams
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Traditional Kazakh yurts
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Endless herds of animals
Standing in the middle of the grassland with snow mountains on the horizon, you will understand a famous saying:
“You won’t know how vast China is until you visit Xinjiang, and you won’t understand the beauty of grasslands until you see Nalati.”
