"Best Grasslands in Xinjiang – A Roundup"

Xinjiang’s northern half is grassland country — emerald pastures stacked under snow peaks. Each has its own character. Here’s how to pick.

Nalati

The famous one (Yili). “Sky Prairie” at 2,200m, river bends, easy access. Busy but beautiful. Best for first-timers and families.

Nalati’s wild sibling (Yili). Craggy ridges, “Human Grassland,” links to Koksu canyon. Best for photographers and hikers.

High alpine meadow (2,500m) with the “Nine Turns” river and a swan lake. Vast and cold; best for scale and birds.

Quiet spruce-and-meadow corner of Yili. Few tourists, same beauty. Best for solitude.

< Pastures

Wooden-cabin meadows near the lake. Best in autumn gold; a different, forested grassland.

The Bagua city’s surrounding pasture and the road to Qiaxi — good for a drive-through taste.

Best month? June for flowers; July–Aug green; Sept gold (Hemu/Bayinbuluke).

Crowds? Nalati busiest; Qiaxi quietest.

Can I ride? Yes — horses at all major pastures (see our horse-riding guide).