Another popular Nalati attraction are its youthful horsemen. Kazak boys should begin learning to ride a horse at the age of four or five, a custom that has produced many young equestrian experts. The boys even ride horses to school, and in their spare time often teach tourists the basics. Visitors to Nalati can’t help but burn rolls of film when seeing the memorable images of young riders galloping across the prairie with a whip in hand.

In winter, Nalati transforms into a world of silver white, and becomes host to various ice and snow sports. Hamst Ski Resort features a 3-km cross-country course — a rarity in Xinjiang, a 1.5-km alpine run, and two mid-level runs (800 m and 600 m), that together can accommodate 400 skiers at a time. Winter visitors can also enjoy viewing snow sculptures crafted for a local competition, and will often be invited as guests into herders’ homes. When fierce winds sweep across the vast grassland, kicking up waves of snow, the spectacle is an unparalleled treat.

After Nalati was listed as one of China’s six most beautiful grasslands in October 2005, months later, its scenic area was rated Grade AAAA by the National Tourism Administration. Herders are amongst the scenic area’s 2,000 employees, spread across some 290 scenic spots, which are able to receive up to 6,000 tourists daily. Kasak herders have enjoyed the fruits of the tourism industry not only in better income and lifestyle, but also in its ability to preserve their ethnic nomadic culture through increasing demand to showcase it. And in July of this year, the Nalati Tourist Airport began operation, further developing the area’s tourism capabilities by increasing convenience for those wishing to fly straight to the grassland from Urumqi.

Travel Tips:

Transportation:

Nalati Grassland is accessible by several highways, including those that connect it to Urumqi (460km) or Yining (340km). Now, daily flights from Urumqi make visiting easier than ever before.

Accommodation:

Nalati visitors are recommended to stay at Kazak-style inns, which range from 100 to 300 yuan per night, and offer samples of Kazak ethnic milk tea, cheese, butter, kumiss, bacon, boiled lamb, roasted whole lamb, mutton kebab, and other grassland cuisine.

Scenic attractions:

Nalati Scenic Area is comprised of an alpine meadow sightseeing zone, a Kazak folk customs zone, and a leisure resort. Additionally, the scenic area offers four hiking trails, enabling tourists to better experience the natural beauty and ethnic customs during a one-to-four-day visit.