Nalati Grassland

Nalati Grassland is located at the eastern end of the Ili River Valley and is one of the four major grasslands in the world. The Nalati Scenic Area integrates grasslands, river valleys, forests, and streams. It has a high vegetation coverage rate and abundant wild animal resources. Known for its unique natural ecological landscapes and cultural landscapes, it is honored as a national 5A-level scenic spot and "the Green Island of the Tianshan Mountains."

Highlights of Nalati Grassland

The popular areas of Nalati Grassland are Hegu Grassland, Kongzhong Grassland, Panlong Valley, and Woltajiao Tower, with each area having unique scenic spots.

River Valley Grassland

Wusun Ancient Relics

Grassland Tribe

The Grassland Tribe is located in the western part of the scenic area. Built in June 2006, it restores the Wusun tribe from more than 2,000 years ago. Among its structures, the Wusun Golden Top Tent is known as "the First Tent in the Northwest". The Grassland Tribe is a comprehensive scenic spot reflecting the history, culture and folk customs of the Kazak people, highlighting two themes: the ancient Wusun kingdom and the Kazak culture and folk customs.

Tawusani

Tawusani

Tawusani is the first stop when entering the River Valley Grassland. It presents a beautiful scene of "four views in one mountain", where snow-capped mountains, forests, hills and plain meadows can all be taken in at a glance.

Yitigensai

It is a characteristic folk culture experience area in the Nalati Scenic Area, located in the central part of the River Valley Grassland route, and serves as a crossroads connecting the River Valley Grassland, the Riverside Path, and the Panlong Ancient Road. Yitigensai displays portraits of Kazak heroes from past generations and 4 traditional Kazak yurts, allowing people to experience Kazak culture and original living scenes. It is not only a window showcasing traditional Kazak culture but also an excellent place for tourists to have an in-depth experience of nomadic life.

Daigelas

Daigelas is located between the International Racecourse and Yitigensai. Originally, it was a place where ancient grassland peoples discussed important matters. After being developed into a scenic area, it was converted into a comprehensive service area for the River Valley Grassland route. Here, tourists can enjoy entertainment projects such as horse riding, archery, taking photos in ethnic costumes, ancient road carriage rides, grassland motorcycle rides, and helicopter sightseeing, as well as catering and accommodation services.

Forest Park

The Forest Park is located at the easternmost end of the River Valley route, with a forest coverage area of 66.67 square kilometers, an altitude ranging from 1,600 to 2,800 meters, an annual average temperature of less than 20 degrees Celsius, and annual precipitation of 800 to 1,200 millimeters. The Forest Park features plant landscapes with hierarchical vertical distribution and is known as a living fossil exhibition hall of plants and a gene bank of wild Chinese medicinal herbs and vegetables. The main tree species in the park is Picea schrenkiana, a national protected plant.

Heavenly Grassland

Heavenly Grassland

Tianjie Platform

Tianjie Platform is the "watershed" between the River Valley Grassland and the Alpine Grassland. Ascending along the wooden plank road of Tianjie Platform, you can take in the views of both the Heavenly Grassland and the River Valley Grassland at a glance when reaching the highest point of Tianjie Platform.

Tian Shen Tai (Snow Lotus Valley)

Tian Shen Tai, also known as "Snow Lotus Valley", is located at the southwestern end of the scenic area, with an altitude of 3,000 meters. It gets its name because it looks like a blooming snow lotus when viewed from the sky. The snow on the mountain provides a suitable environment for the growth of snow lotuses, and they bloom here every July and August.

Nomadic Family

The Nomadic Family is located at the terminal of the Heavenly Grassland and serves as a comprehensive service area on the Heavenly Grassland route. It offers tourists entertainment activities such as horse riding, goat-drawn cart rides, taking photos in ethnic costumes, and posing for photos with grassland camels. The sculpture standing in the center of the square is an epitome of the herdsmen's daily life, reflecting the traditional virtues of the Kazak people and demonstrating the essence of their wisdom.

Panlong Valley

Dragon Emerging from the Sea

The Dragon Emerging from the Sea viewing platform is a hillside at the top of a mountain in Panlong Valley and the core location of the Panlong Valley Road. It is also the best viewing spot for the Panlong Ring Mountain Road and the highest point reached by the Panlong Ring Mountain Road. With a wide field of vision, it allows visitors to see the entire view of the Panlong Avenue.

Woniugang

Woniugang is located to the east of the Dragon Emerging from the Sea viewing platform. The terrain on the hill is commanding with a wide-open view. Below the hill lies a valley integrating comprehensive landforms such as gullies, slopes, forests, and streams. From a distance, it resembles a cow lying on the mountain grazing, hence the name Woniugang. Here, visitors can look out at the distant mountains and jungles, overlook the valley below, and admire the yurts amid the valley jungles as well as the cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the sloping pastures.

Woltajiao Tower

Green Ingot

Green Ingot is located south of Woltajiao Tower. It gets its name from its abundant vegetation, with the forest-cloaked mountain resembling an ingot. It is also known as the "Treasure-Hiding Place".

Woltajiao Tower

Woltajiao Tower is the starting point of the Windmill Platform's love-themed route. It features a complete vertical mountain natural zone spectrum, where soil types and vegetation are distributed regularly in bands as altitude changes. Integrating sloping valleys, winding mountain forests, and peak sightseeing, it is praised by tourists as "One mountain sees four seasons, and ten miles bring different weather."

Recommended hiking routes:

Visitor Center - Forest Park; Visitor Center - Woltajiao Tower

Educational Value

The Tianshan Mountains, where the Nalati Grassland is situated, are a product of plate movements (formed by the collision and compression of the Indian Ocean Plate and the Eurasian Plate). Within this region, folded mountain ranges, glacial landforms, and canyons carved by river erosion clearly demonstrate how plate movements, glaciers, and fluvial erosion shape the Earth’s surface. This area serves as a visual teaching resource for geology.

Activities to do at Nalati Grassland

Photography: Nalati Grassland offers excellent shooting materials for photography enthusiasts, with the changing light and shadow at sunrise and sunset being not to be missed.

Participating in nomadic life: During certain seasons, tourists can experience the nomadic activities of the Kazakh people, such as sheep shearing and cow milking, gain an understanding of herdsmen's daily work, and feel the unique charm of nomadic culture.

Visiting cultural relics: Nalati Grassland was once the site of the ancient Wusun Kingdom. The scenic area is home to historical relics like the ancient Wusun tombs, where tourists can visit to learn about the history and culture of ancient nomadic peoples.