Grasslands in Ili

Ili Grasslands in Xinjiang is one of the most beautiful four places; it is also one of the most beautiful six grasslands in China. Like other grasslands in Xinjiang, Ili Grasslandss is not only in the opposite of desert, and it is also in the opposite of Snow Mountain. There is a feeling of beauty of rich and complex, multifaceted beauty.
 
Ili Grasslandss develop in one of Asia's largest mountain system of Tianshan Mountains in and its mountain basin, the north, east, south of Ili Grasslands is surrounded by three sides of mountains and the openings for the west bring moist air in the west and become "wet island" scenery in the desert here alone, what contribute to full perpendicular band spectrum development of Ili grasslands. From high to low in sequence distribution there are alpine meadow, upland meadow, mountain meadow steppe, mountain grassland, mountain desert grassland, desert plains, river valley meadows, the diversity is very rich.
 

Nalati Grassland

Nalati Grassland is one of the four largest grasslands in the world. It is a typical alpine meadow and sub-alpine meadow landform integrating snow mountains, plateaus, forests, meadows and rivers. It has been a famous pasture since ancient times. To reach the Nalati summer pasture in air grassland, we need to go through this section of winding highway up to the mountain. It is called Grassland in the Air because its average elevation is 2,200 meters, which is the highest grassland in the whole Ili Valley.

Nalati Grassland provides trekking and horse riding experiences, and you can better experience the beauty of this Grassland in the Air. Here you can also enjoy the stunning sunset with the lush grassland, colorful flowers, flocks and herds and snow-capped mountains in the distance.

The best time to visit Nalati Grassland is May to August. During this time, the grasslands at Nalati gradually turn lush and green, which are beautiful.

 

Kalajun Grassland

Kalajun Grassland, located in Tekes County, is one of the most beautiful and famous grasslands in Xinjiang. The grass turn green in Kalajun Grassland in early May, and the best time to visit the Kalajun Grassland is from late May to the end of June. Kalajun Grassland is divided into two parts: the eastern Kalajun and the western Kalajun. The western Kalajun is dominated by hilly grassland, and the scenic area is well developed, providing sightseeing bus services. Eastern Karajun is famous for its snow-capped mountains, grassland scenery and forest canyons, and keeps its original features. There is a trekking plank road from Flower Terrace to Falcon Terrace in the Kalajun Grassland, which is very suitable for novice trekkers. The whole journey takes 2-3 hours, with the most essential beauty of Kalajun along the way, and you can see all the vast and magnificent grasslands and colorful flowers.

 

Bayinbuluke Grassland

Bayinbuluke Grassland is located in Hejing County. Due to the high altitude of grassland, the grass turn green relatively lately. Usually, the grass turns green in mid-May every year. And there is abundant rain from July to September every year, and the grassland is tender and wild flowers are in full bloom, which is the best time to visit the Bayinbuluke Grassland. Among them, the Kaidu River with "nine twists and eighteen bends" and Swan Lake, the largest swan reserve in China, are all paradise for photographers.

 

Kuldening Grassland

The Kuldening Grassland is located in Gongliu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. Every year in late April, the Kuldening Grassland begins to turn green. Until mid-June, it is the best time to visit the Kulderning. For the tourists who plan to go to Kulderning, it is relatively primitive and there are not many tourists. The road is in good condition and camping is allowed.

Kuldening Grassland is the most lush forest in Tianshan Mountains. Its special north-south trend and dense cedar trees block the hot sun, making it warm in winter and cool in summer. It is a good place to escape from the summer heat. The most beautiful scenic spot in Kuldening is Qimengde Observation Deck. Walking along the wooden plank road, the small yellow flowers and the forest snow-capped mountains in the distance are very beautiful.

If you have enough time, it is recommended that you stay in the camp here for one night to enjoy the sunset and wait for the sunrise, and feel the unique silence in the forest.

 

Qiaxi Grassland

Qiaxi Grassland is one of the most beautiful grasslands in Ili. Qiaxi is the earliest green grassland in Ili, and you can visit it in mid-April. Snow-capped Tianshan Mountains, cedar trees and clear streams and waterfalls together constitute the moving beauty of Qiaxi Grassland.

 

Qiongkushitai Grassland

If you want to avoid crowds, Qiongkushitai Grassland is recomemnded for you, which is known as the back garden of Kalajun. It is actually a beautiful small village, and the essence of the scenery is in the back hill. You need to ride a horse or walk up the back hill, and the round trip takes about 6 hours.

It is also the north entrance of Wusun Ancient Road, so it is also the first choice for senior hikers. There is beautiful scenery step by step along the way. The vast grassland, flocks of cattle and sheep, turbulent rivers and original ecological cabins can be seen at a glance. Every year from the beginning of May, the Qiongkushitai grassland gradually turns green, and July is the best time to visit it.

 

Tangbula Grassland

Tangbula Grassland, known as a hundred-mile picture scroll and a natural gallery, is a beautiful highway with a length of about 100 kilometers, which is located in the section between Qiaoerma and Nileke of Highway 315. At the Tangbula Grassland, you can see snow mountain, cedar trees, alpine lakes, hot springs, rivers, flowers, etc. There are so many elements to explore. The essence attractions are Hundred-Mile Gallery, Fairy Lake and Mengkete Ancient Road. Fairy Lake is hidden in the depths of the grassland and you need to ride a horse or walk to it. (Fairy Lake is far away, so it takes a long time to get back and forth.)

 

Information

Ili is embraced on the east, north, south sides surrounded by mountains and with a landscape of trumpet shape opened to the west, on the one hand, it resists against the cold snap from the south of the Siberian, hindered the dry wind of Taklamakan desert go to the north; On the other hand it accept the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea warm current as much as possible, therefore it is the most rainfall areas of Xinjiang province, an average annual rainfall is more than twice than the average rainfalls in Xinjiang province, what making it the actually “wet island” among the drought desert of central Asia and it contribute to full perpendicular band spectrum development of Ili grassland. Ili Grasslands consist of Nalati grassland, Tangbula grassland and Gongnaisi grassland. Whether famous Nalati grassland, rising star Tangbula grassland, or the traditional Gongnaisi grassland, and Zhaosu grassland, Ili Grasslands all show a transcendental beautiful temperament and appearance. Ili river valley is so extraordinary with infinite vitality.