Nalati Grassland in the Sky, a real-life version of Hayao Miyazaki's animated world

Nalati Grassland in the Sky, a real-life version of Hayao Miyazaki's animated world. Nalati Grassland is known as one of the world's four great high mountain valley grasslands. In Kazakh, it means 'the place where the sun rises.' It has always been a famous pasture, and although it has been designated as a scenic area, the local herders still retain their grazing lifestyle. Thus, we can still see the primitive ecological scene composed of scattered white felt tents, herds of cattle and sheep, and shepherds on horseback on the grassland. If you want to explore Nalati deeply, it is highly recommended to drive there yourself! For non-self-driving visitors: You can purchase entrance and shuttle tickets separately, or choose a combination ticket according to your preference. For self-driving: The entrance fee is 300 yuan per person for 2 days, and you need to make an online reservation 2-3 days in advance (if you don't get a reservation, some tickets will be released after 8 am every day, so remember to set an alarm to grab a ticket); when purchasing tickets, you need to upload a photo of the main driver's license and a solo photo, so remember to prepare in advance. Scenic Area Tour Routes: Sky Grassland Route: Tianjie Terrace, the local Kazakh summer pasture, walking on the plank road and climbing up the hillside, you can see the snow-capped mountains and the vast grassland in a line; there are Kazakh wedding performances at Tianmu Terrace Ridge at 11 am and 4 pm daily, and you can ride horses; the end of the Nomadic Family Sky Grassland Route is also the starting point of the Snow Lotus Valley Route, and the popular bridge is also here. Snow Lotus Valley Route: You can only take the scenic shuttle bus from the Nomadic Family or the Baba Cooperative (60 yuan per person). Self-driving tourists can park their cars at the Nomadic Family's parking lot. After getting off the shuttle bus, there is still some distance to the snow mountain, and you need to walk or ride a horse towards the snow mountain. The return trip is by bus from Tiancheng Terrace. Valley Grassland Route: I want to mention the Panlong Valley Route in particular. Originally, the western section was a self-driving route, but it was closed for road construction when I visited, so the scenic area opened the eastern section for self-driving. We went there after descending from the Snow Lotus Valley, just in time for the sunset, and the beautiful sunset was a great experience and very worthwhile! Accommodation: Inside the scenic area: There are hotels, felt tents, and RV campsites to choose from. If you want an in-depth tour, you can consider staying inside the scenic area, but the price will definitely be higher, and the convenience will be less. Outside the scenic area: There are many homestays/hotels in Nalati Town, and dining is also convenient. In addition, there are some homestays, especially some popular homestays, that are distributed along the G218 (Yi-Ruo Line) from east to west, and are not located in Nalati Town. Therefore, when booking a hotel, it is recommended to check the map in advance, as the drive from west to east towards the scenic area is quite long.