The Nalati Scenic Area in Ili is a tourist attraction that combines natural scenery with Kazakh folk customs. It is located in Xinyuan County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains and the eastern end of the Ili River Valley. It is one of the world’s four major grasslands, a subalpine meadow plant area.
The Nalati Grassland means ‘the place with the sun’ in Kazakh. It has a vast and beautiful grassland landscape. The main attractions within the scenic area include Nalati Aerial Grassland, Valley Grassland, Panlong Ancient Road, Tianjie Platform, Nomadic Families, Tawusani (meaning ‘beautiful valley’ in Kazakh), Tianxian Platform,沃尔塔交塔 Viewing Platform, Snow Lotus Valley, etc.
Tourists can enjoy the seasonal changes of the grassland here. In spring and summer, the grassland spreads out like a green blanket with various wildflowers blooming; in autumn, the grassland is covered with gold; in winter, it becomes a wonder of the icy and snowy world.
In addition to natural scenery, the Nalati Scenic Area also showcases rich Kazakh folk customs. Tourists can watch or participate in Kazakh activities such as girl-chasing, aken singing and playing the dombra, horse racing, and wrestling, and taste Kazakh cuisine.
In addition, the scenic area offers a variety of tourist activities such as horse riding, hiking, and cable car sightseeing, allowing tourists to fully experience the charm of the grassland.
For tourists, the ticket price for the Nalati Scenic Area is 95 yuan per person, with a two-day ticket policy. There are also multiple shuttle bus/tourist bus routes set up within the scenic area to facilitate tourists’ visits to various attractions. Special groups such as children, students, seniors, military personnel, and police can enjoy free, half-price, or full-price discounts on tickets and shuttle bus tickets with relevant identification.
In general, the Nalati Scenic Area in Ili is a tourist attraction worth visiting. Whether it is natural scenery or folk customs, it can bring tourists an unforgettable travel experience.