Nanshan Pasture - A Beautiful Natural Pastureland & Summer Resort near Urumqi

West Baiyanggou (average elevation: about 2,000 meters) is the most famous and popular site among all areas of Nanshan Pasture. Many locals love to spend their summer holidays here. It is located in the north foot of the Tian’geer Peak, about 62 km from the downtown Urumqi. The valley occupies about 612.52 hectares and is named after the densely grown aspen trees. In this picturesque site, you can see thick firs and pine trees cover all over the hillside, little streams flowing pass the craggy stones, with Kazakh yurts dotted in the vast grassland. One of the can’t miss highlights is the 42-meter-high Shenbulak Waterfall hanging on a cliff like a silver dragon, very stunning and amazing. You can get there by a tourist sightseeing bus, walking or a horse riding. If you’re with kids, the tourist bus is most recommended. In West Baiyanggou, you can ride a horse, visit a Kazak family, try their local milk tea and catch a glimpse of the authentic Kazak lifestyle, lie down on a soft meadow under the warm sunshine, watch the eagle hovering in the sky or the Kazakh performances by the local people, freely enjoy the quietness, coziness and larger space you won’t have in the city.

East Baiyanggou 东白杨沟

Located about 56 km south of Urumqi City, East Baiyanggou (average elevation: about 2,050 meters) is one of the noted summer resorts for the locals. It covers an area of 334.4 hectares. In the valley, there are massive old trees, majestic peaks towering up the sky, a joyful creek running afar. When wind blows, the magnificent forest waves and looks very spectacular. When rain drops, ethereal mist fills the woods and creates a fairyland. Leave all your urban annoyance, just close your eyes and feel the gentle breeze, soft kiss from mother nature and get back your inner peace. The Greenfield Villa, as the only star-rated hotel in this area, offers fine facilities and services for a wonderful summer holiday.

Muxutai (average elevation: about 2,020 meters) is located at Tuoli Town in southern outskirt of Urumqi, nearly 55 km to the city center. People often call it “the Backyard Garden of Urumqi”. In fact, it is a meadow platform scenic area on a mountain top, and it covers an area of 3 square kilometers. Embraced by mountains in three directions, tourists can view beautiful grassland in the center and surrounding green mountains, and get a vague view of Urumqi city from here. Clustered colorful wild flowers, red little hoses and white Kazak yurts like shinny stars scatter on the extensive green grassland. From spring to autumn, Muxutai is decorated with tens of wild pretty flowers, yellow, purple, light blue, red, white, colorful and beautiful. Besides that, with luck, you can also see wild animals, like red deer, wild boar and marmot. The well-arranged three peaks here are mysterious and poetic as well. This primitive charm may be the most attractive part of Muxutai.

Juhuatai (average elevation: about 2,200 meters) in Gangou Village is another main attraction in Nanshan Pasture. It is located about 61 km from Urumqi City and covers an area of 500 hectares. Juhuatai is actually an alluvial fan platform on a gentle slope. The northern side is covered with dense green pines, and the southern side is carpeted by fresh grass, while at the bottom a brook wriggles through. On the flat and board area, herds of cows and sheep is surrounded by golden and purplish red flowers, and bright sunlight casts the shadow of white clouds on the waved green grass. Walk among the grass is just like walk into a peaceful idyllic picture which was composed by Chinese great poet - Tao Yuanming.

Most scenic areas of Nanshan Pasture are located at about 2,000 meters above sea level, and they have large amounts of vegetation, so the pasture belongs to a mountain climate. The weather and temperature here is quite different from that of Urumqi City.

When Urumqi eases its way to warm spring, it’s still cold in Nanshan Pasture until May. Likely, when the city goes through hot summer, the pasture actually is very cool. The forests and grassland are on their green time. Various wild flowers bloom during the season too. Snow-covered mountains can be seen in the distance. Therefore, summer (from June to August) is the best time to visit Nanshan Pasture for you can appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and experience comfortable weather. July has the best grass in all of the year, and it’s a great time to stroll around the pasture with blue sky, white clouds and fresh air.

Fall turns the pasture a golden world and long, freezing cold winter follows with snows. Winter may last six or seven months. It’s the low season but you can view stunning snowy grasslands, have skiing fun and enjoy fewer tourists. Remember to dress warm when visiting in winter and keep warm at night if you stay over.

Tourists usually drive back to downtown Urumqi for accommodation after a day trip to Nanshan Pasture. If you like, you can spend one night in the pasture and enjoy a longer intimate contact with nature. The most popular and common accommodation are the featured Kazak yurts on the slopes. The yurts are the houses of the Kazak families with thick carpet and stove only. The facilities are simple and basic, with no beds, quilts and washroom. Howevery, the giant firing stove keeps the yurt warm enough. Better bring your own sleeping bag if it’s your first time to try the Kazak yurt.

Except riding a hose during the daytime and experiencing the Kazak living style at night, you can enjoy gorgeous night view and twinkle stars in the pasture, savor long-lost quiet and darkness and taste local milk tea and original Kazak meals. There are also a few villas in the pasture, and the facility is better, you can take hot bath, however, the price is more expensive than Kazakh yurts.

Most travelers start a Xinjiang tour from Urumqi and take Urumqi as the transfer center of visiting the Northern Xinjiang. Usually, tourists spend one day exploring Urumqi’s highlights in the down area, including the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, Red Hill Park and Xinjiang Regional Museum. Making a day trip to Tianchi Lake is a popular itinerary if you won’t visit Kanas. Nanshan Pasture is a good summer resort worthy of your visit if you happen to visit Urumqi in summer.

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Xinjiang is vast and beautiful. The Northern Xinjiang is most known for the natural beauty while the Southern Xinjiang is characterized rich cultural and historical treasures. Depending on your time and personal interests, you can extend trip to more destinations, such as the Turpan, fairyland Kanas Lake and Hemu Village in Altay, incredibly beautiful Sayram Lake, Wu’erhe Ghost City in Karamay, Ili (Kalajun Grassland, Narati Grassland, Guozigou...) in Northern Xinjiang, and travel further to the Southern Xinjiang’s Kashgar and vicinal Tashkurgan, Taklamakan Desert, Bosten Lake, Tomor Peak, Kuqa, Khotan, etc. You can pick up some highlighting places for a week's travel or haven an in-depth discovery for up to one month.

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