A trip to Tangbula in Yili, Xinjiang is an excellent journey to admire natural beauty and experience ethnic customs. As one of the famous grasslands in the Yili area, Tangbula Grassland attracts numerous tourists with its rich natural scenery and profound cultural heritage.?
Tangbula Grassland is located in the east of Nileke County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It got its name from a huge rock on the ridge on the east side of the valley, resembling an imperial seal in shape, meaning ‘seal’ in Kazak. With beautiful scenery and natural landscapes such as forests, grasslands, waterfalls, and mountains, it is known as the ‘Hundred-Mile Gallery’.?
Tracing upstream along the Kashi River Valley, you can admire lush mountain grasslands and valley grasslands, as well as the majestic snow-capped mountains and lush spruce forests in the distance.?
On Tangbula Grassland, tourists can experience various tourism activities. For example, heading to Xiannv Lake, a quiet little lake hidden among the mountains, which contrasts beautifully with the blue sky, white clouds, and green mountains, like a hidden paradise. Tourists can choose to hike or ride horses there, which takes about 2-3 hours round trip, with beautiful natural scenery to admire along the way.?
In addition, Tangbula Grassland has 113 gullies, each with its own characteristics, such as flowing springs, murmuring streams, and the unique Arslang Stone Forest. They are all worth exploring.?
Besides natural scenery, Tangbula Grassland also carries rich ethnic customs. Tourists can observe the lives of herdsmen up close here, feel the sounds of cows and sheep, curling smoke, and the laughter of children riding horses, and experience the joy of herdsmen’s seasonal migrations.?
For tourists, it is recommended to spend 1-2 days exploring Tangbula Grassland. The suitable seasons for travel are summer and autumn. The entrance fee is free, and it is open all day, but some attractions like Xiannv Lake may require a small entrance fee.?
In terms of transportation, it is recommended to travel by car. It is about 230 kilometers from Yining City. You can first take a bus to Nileke County and then rent a car to get there, or directly rent a car from Yining.?
In general, a trip to Tangbula in Yili, Xinjiang is an unforgettable travel experience. Whether it’s admiring natural scenery or experiencing ethnic customs, tourists can gain a lot.?