Bayanbulak Grassland is located in the mountainous basin in the northwest of Jing County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, in the middle of the Tianshan Mountains. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, it has an altitude of about 2,500 meters and covers an area of 23,835 square kilometers, making it the second-largest grassland in China, second only to Erdos Grassland in Inner Mongolia. Bayanbulak means "rich spring" in Mongolian. The grassland has a flat terrain and abundant water and grass, making it a typical gramineous meadow and one of the most important animal husbandry bases in Xinjiang. Here, you will find a paradise surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the "Nine-Bend, Eighteen-Turn" Kaidu River, and the elegant and charming Swan Lake.
Day 1
Yining/Nalati (280KM, approximately 4 hours by car)
Early morning pickup at Yining Airport, followed by an air-conditioned coach ride to one of the world’s four major alpine valley grasslands, the national AAAAA-level scenic area – [Nalati Grassland Scenic Area] (ticket price: 95 yuan/person). Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the Gongnais River. After lunch, take the scenic area’s [shuttle bus] (40 yuan/person) to enter the scenic area for sightseeing (approximately 3.5 hours of sightseeing, including shuttle bus entry and exit time). "Green mountains surround on three sides, a river flows like a jade belt around its waist." The beautiful scenery of Wusun Ancient Tombs, Tawusani, and one mountain with four landscapes will leave you breathless. After arriving at the core scenic area, visitors can freely roam around. In the evening, you can optionally participate in the "Meet in the Grassland, Revel in Nalati" themed bonfire party, enjoying the magnificent and unrestrained Kazakh songs and dances, as well as the unique Aken music and singing with national characteristics. Overnight stay at a hotel in Nalati Town
Meals: Breakfast (please arrange on your own) Lunch √ Dinner √
Accommodation: Standard room in an economical hotel in Nalati Town (private bathroom)
Day 2
Nalati/Bayanbulak/Yining City (total distance 460 kilometers, travel time about 6 hours)
After breakfast, take a car to Bayanbulak Grassland to visit China’s only swan nature reserve—[Bayanbulak Swan Lake and Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn River] (ticket price: 65 yuan/person; shuttle bus: 90 yuan/person). At the viewing platform, you can meditate quietly or use a telescope to gaze at pairs of swans resting. Here, you will surely marvel at the magnificent workmanship of nature, creating such a carpet and silk like those woven by fairies in heaven. The Nine-Bend and Eighteen-Turn River winds and bends like an inlaid milky way, and the sunset is breathtakingly beautiful. (Visit time about 5 hours)… After lunch, take a car back to Yining City and check into the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast √ Lunch √ Dinner (please arrange on your own)
Accommodation: Yining three-star hotel or equivalent
Day 3
Yining/Port/Sayram Lake/Yining (total distance about 300KM, about 5 hours)
In the morning, take an air-conditioned coach to Horgos City to visit the [Horgos Port], one of China’s three major land trade ports. Take photos in front of the gateway to the nation and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Guozigou, the first pass of Yili (as it is a highway, no stopping allowed). Arrive at the national AAAA scenic area, [Sayram Lake] (ticket price: 70 yuan/person; visit for about 2 hours). Here, the lakeside is covered with green grass, flowers are blooming, the lake water is clear and blue, distant snow-capped peaks stand tall, forests overlap on the peaks, and on the lakeside meadow, yurts are scattered on the hillsides, with cows and sheep like clouds and brocade. After lunch, proceed to the [Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden] (visit for about 1 hour), visit the Lavender Museum to learn about the history and industrial process of lavender, and then stroll through the lavender fields. During the peak lavender bloom, it feels like being immersed in a sea of flowers. Return to Yining City by car—[Kazangqi Tourist Area] (expenses self-paid, visit time about 90 minutes). In the evening, transfer to the airport to end the pleasant journey!
Horse Riding to Viewing Platform: 160 yuan/2 hours
Nalati Sightseeing Bus: 150 yuan/person/time,
In-depth Tour Bus Fee for Sayram Lake: 100 yuan/person
Kazangqi Folk Tourist Area Package Ticket: 260 yuan/person
Huiyuan Ancient City Tourist Area Package Ticket: 260 yuan/person,
Kazakh Folk Museum: 80 yuan/person
Horgos Port Boundary Marker: 30 yuan/person