Gongnaisi Grassland Travel Guide: A Hidden Gem in the Tianshan Mountains

Are you tired of the hustle and bustle of city life and yearning for a tranquil escape😫? Do you dream of galloping freely on horseback and experiencing the magnificence of nature😎? Then come to Gongnaisi Grassland🏞️! This hidden gem nestled deep within the Tianshan Mountains will fulfill all your grassland fantasies. I. Itinerary (Suggested 3-4 days) Day 1: Arrive in Xinyuan, First Impressions of the Grassland • Depart from Yining or Urumqi by car or chartered vehicle🚗. • Enjoy the scenery of the Tianshan Mountains along the way and feel the gradually intensifying grassland atmosphere🌄. • After arriving in Xinyuan, check in to your hotel and take a rest🛏️. • In the evening, head to the grassland near the county town to admire the grassland scenery under the sunset🌅. Day 2: Deep into Gongnaisi, Experience the Charm of the Grassland • After breakfast, head to the core scenic area of Gongnaisi Grassland🥪. • Along the way, admire the continuous snow-capped mountains, lush forests, and flocks of cattle and sheep, and experience the vastness and magnificence of the grassland🏔️🌳🐏. • After arriving at the scenic area, you can choose to ride horses, hike, or take a sightseeing bus🐎🚶‍♂️🚎. • At noon, enjoy authentic Kazakh cuisine at a herder's home on the grassland, such as hand-pulled lamb, milk tea, and baursaki🥩🥛🥐. • Continue exploring in the afternoon, taking pictures of the beautiful grassland scenery, and feeling the tranquility and peace of the grassland📷. • Stay overnight in a yurt or wooden house on the grassland and experience the starry night sky🛖🌃. Day 3: Explore Hidden Gems, Experience the Diversity of the Grassland • After breakfast, head to the depths of Gongnaisi Grassland to explore lesser-known hidden gems🥪. • You can choose to hike through the forest, searching for hidden waterfalls and lakes deep in the grassland🚶‍♀️🌊. • You can also visit the nearby Xiata Ancient Road and experience the profound history and natural beauty🏞️. • Return to Xinyuan County in the evening and enjoy local specialties🍱. Day 4: Farewell to the Grassland, Return with Beautiful Memories • After breakfast, enjoy free time. You can buy some local specialties, such as honey, dairy products, and handicrafts🍯🥛🎨. • Head to the station or airport according to your return time, concluding your unforgettable grassland journey🚉✈️. II. Transportation Guide • Airplane✈️: You can fly to Yining Airport or Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and then transfer to a car to Xinyuan County. • Train🚞: You can take a train to Yining Railway Station or Urumqi Railway Station and then transfer to a car to Xinyuan County. • Bus🚌: There are direct buses to Xinyuan County from Yining or Urumqi. III. Accommodation Recommendations • Xinyuan County: You can choose hotels or guesthouses in the county town, which are relatively inexpensive and have complete facilities🏨. • Gongnaisi Grassland: You can choose yurts or wooden houses on the grassland to experience the grassland atmosphere, but the price is slightly higher🛖. IV. Food Recommendations • Hand-pulled lamb🥩: A traditional Kazakh delicacy, tender, juicy, and delicious. • Milk tea🥛: A daily drink of the Kazakh people, fragrant, delicious, and helps with digestion. • Baursaki🥐: A traditional Kazakh pastry, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and sweet. • Smoked horse meat🍖: A Kazakh specialty with a unique flavor, worth trying. V. Travel Tips • Gongnaisi Grassland has a high altitude, so pay attention to keeping warm, even in summer, bring a thick coat🧥. • The grassland has strong sunlight, so pay attention to sun protection and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat🌞🕶️🧢. • Respect the customs and habits of local ethnic minorities and do not take pictures of local residents without permission🙏. • Protect the grassland environment, do not litter, and do not damage the vegetation🌱. VI. Best Time to Travel The best time to travel to Gongnaisi Grassland is from June to September each year, when the grassland is full of flowers and the climate is pleasant🌸. VII. Travel Budget The travel budget for Gongnaisi Grassland varies from person to person. Generally speaking, a 3-4 day trip costs around RMB 2,000-3,000 per person💴. VIII. Conclusion Gongnaisi Grassland is a charming land with vast grasslands, towering snow-capped mountains, lush forests, flocks of cattle and sheep, and hospitable Kazakh herders🏞️🏔️🌳🐏🙌. Here, you can relax, experience the magnificence of nature, and the unique charm of grassland culture😌. This journey will surely become an unforgettable memory!🎈