People are naturally fond of snow, looking at the pure silence in front of them, it seems that people can forget everything. Because I like photography, and of course I also like the realm of ink painting after snow, I have been going to the north every winter to enjoy the snow in the past few years. I went to the dam the year before last, and the beauty was heart-pounding, but I felt that everyone’s snowy dam was exactly the same. I didn’t feel excited at all when I saw others, and then I saw myself, and I didn’t bother to re-read the film; I went to Xuexiang last year, was stunned for a while, spent a lot of wronged money, and dared not say a word, and posted my own experience. I didn’t expect that there are quite a lot of people who have the same experience as me.. ....
One day, I suddenly heard that "Xinjiang does not close for winter tourism". I have always been yearning for the land of Xinjiang, and I have always been thinking about the Xinjiang dance I enjoyed in Chapchar many years ago. Let's see how cheap the direct ticket to Guangzhou is. . I am here in winter on the Nalati Grassland in Xinyuan County, Xinjiang.
Don't miss the scenery while flying in the air:
I like the feeling of looking down on the land from the sky. I have a habit of choosing the seat as far back as possible and by the window when I take the plane, so that I can avoid the wings and enjoy the land from the perfect angle.
Everything along the way from Urumqi to Nalati Airport is so beautiful. Compared with other seasons, I still prefer the bird’s-eye view after snow. There are no bright colors. The earth is like a Xinjiang girl with no makeup, with mystery and Tenderness, lightly relax your waist in front of me.
Looking down from the air, it is those rivers that are not completely covered by winter snow, just like the meridians of the human body, creating vitality for this land.
That big roundabout, like a chance look back, her face has been deeply engraved in your heart. Safe landing:
The plane landed safely at Nalati Airport. Recently, the sky in most parts of the country has been covered by clouds, and people in the circle of friends have been complaining: It’s another cloudy day, and I haven’t seen the sun for a long time... Guangzhou and Urumqi are also hazy. When the plane landed At that moment, I saw the long-lost blue sky and white clouds.
People in the south are excited when they see snow, like friends reunited after a long absence, they always want to look left and right, and don’t forget to press the shutter when passing through the gaps in the snowdrifts. Compared with -14°C outdoors in Urumqi at that time, it was only -4°C here, and the cold wind did not feel cold and stinging on the face.
Nalati Airport is very small, and the terminal building can be seen at a glance, but it is also convenient and saves a lot of time. Getting to know Nalati for the first time:
It’s actually not far from the airport to the reserved hotel, usually it takes about 1 hour, just because the road is a little snowy, the car is a bit slow on the way to the hotel, which just gives me time to look out of the window through the window scenery. The ground has been covered with a layer of snow, and there are rows of birch forests on both sides of the road. From time to time, groups of cattle, sheep and horses can be seen leisurely on the snow.
Nalati is located in the hinterland of Tianshan Mountains in Ili. The high mountains on both sides block the cold wind from the south, creating a paradise like spring outside the Great Wall. Residential houses are located on both sides of the road, and local Kazakh people riding horses can be seen from time to time. Encounter Xinjiang singing and dancing again:
Photo by July Doll
People in Xinjiang are naturally good at singing and dancing, and Xinjiang has been known as the "hometown of singing and dancing" since ancient times. A few years ago, I encountered a local dance show in Qingshui Bay, Chabuchar. The beauty of the dance is still unforgettable. Now I encounter this beautiful dance again in the Nalati Du Dalai Music Restaurant. pleasure.
Photo by July Doll
Nalati is a place where the Kazakhs live together. The Kazakhs are a nation that loves singing. A Kazakh proverb says: "Songs and horses are the wings of Kazakhs." Kazakh folk songs are melodious and high-pitched. thick outside. The Kazakh dance has a strong rhythm and a rough performance style. The sky is full of ice and snow outside the house, but the house is full of singing and dancing, full of steam.
Photo by July Doll
My dream is in the grassland in the air, people say that it is heaven, the horses are galloping towards the distance, and the melodious singing is floating in the wind, Nalati grassland is my hometown... a local singer "Nalati in the grassland in the sky" Bringing our thoughts to the endless prairie is a kind of warm-up for me who came from afar. In the singing, it seems that I have already galloped to this beautiful place.
Snowy Sunrise:
Many people say that the Nalati Grassland can feel all its beauty only in summer, and other times are its sleeping seasons.
In winter, Nalati woke up a bit late from the dream. It was already 9:30 in the morning, and the outside of the house was still dark. I took a car to the wild, because Nalati had never done winter activities before, and few people set foot in the shooting. The tour guide The little brother didn’t know what kind of shooting angle we wanted to find, so we drove aimlessly on the grassland covered with white snow. Fortunately, the road conditions were good, and it was also a kind of enjoyment at the moment.
At about 10 o'clock, the sun hadn't fully risen yet. Seeing that the snow-capped mountains on the opposite side were showing a little crimson, I hurriedly asked the driver to stop and shot wildly in this wilderness.
The temperature of -4°C can't completely freeze the streams on the grasslands, and the rivers are still flowing slowly. In this quiet morning, I can hear the sound of gurgling water. On the contrary, I think this is better than the legendary " The scenery of the northern country, thousands of miles of ice, thousands of miles of snow drifting" is even more beautiful.
As the sun slowly rises, the earth begins to be covered with a layer of orange red, which is warm. The village in the distance slowly shows its outline in the morning light, but this morning is still very quiet.
The pine trees on the mountain are gray and black, and the leaves on the nearby big trees have already fallen off. Only gray, black, and white are left on the Nalati grassland. The whole Nalati seems to be still hibernating.
Near 11 o'clock in the morning, a few horses lined up and slowly came out of the village, unhurriedly, keeping their heads down, probably looking for forage hidden under the white snow. At this moment, the peaceful Nalati Grassland began to wake up. Ink Nalati:
Ink painting is a traditional Chinese painting method. It mainly produces rich changes through the focus, thick, heavy, light, and clear ink colors, expresses objects, has unique artistic effects, and produces a unique "ink rhyme". Mentioning grasslands is like unfolding ink painting scrolls, waiting for us to slowly appreciate them.
Without the refreshing green, without the flowers everywhere, everything looks simple, simple, beautiful and low-key.
Light and Shadow Nalati:
Photography is light and shadow art, many photographers like to capture the light and shadow of nature. Compared with other places, the Nalati Grassland should be more suitable for catching, because the continuous Tianshan Mountains on both sides help Nalati resist the cold wind, even if the wind is cold and icy in other places, it is still just a breeze here The rippling, -4°C daytime outdoor temperature allows us to wait for the light and shadow in the snow.
Because winter here is still a virgin land for photographers, there is not too much winter photography, all light and shadow can only rely on chance encounters, but even so is enough.
Although there is only brilliance left in the setting sun, I do not forget to miss the blush of the distant mountain.
A guest at Dongwozi, a Kazakh herdsman:
The Nalati Grassland is the traditional residence of the Kazakh people, and it is also the "winter nest" for Kazakh herdsmen to spend the winter. Dongwozi is a place chosen by Kazakh herdsmen for protection from the cold and wind for themselves and their livestock.
At the end of 2018, after the non-stop winter tourism in Xinjiang, the local herdsmen also opened a similar "farmhouse". Everyone came to the herdsmen's house, sat around, tasted food, enjoyed singing and dancing, and had fun.
It was the first time in my life that Naren ate horse meat. Although it is delicious and is the most traditional hospitality food of the Kazakh people, when I think of those lovely horses, I feel a little sad.
This sheepskin windbreaker is extremely heavy-duty. The herdsmen said it has been around for hundreds of years. It is made of sheepskin and can completely resist the extremely bad weather. Let me try it on and experience the life of the herdsmen at that time. Sure enough: so heavy... Nalati Kazakh folklore:
So far, many Kazakhs on the Nalati Grassland are still accompanied by horses all their lives. When other scenic spots in China need to pay for photographing horses, here, we can see local Kazakhs passing by us on horses at any time. Look at me When I was walking on the snow with my camera on my back, a little brother stopped and asked me where I was going in Mandarin, and he could give me a ride. Thank you, simple Kazakh brother.
The Kazakhs have been with horses since they were young. On special occasions, they will get together, regardless of age, and everyone will do their best to have a horse race with no bonuses, no trophies, and only applause. When I arrived, there was not much left in the game, so I could only take a few hasty photos. Today, when I opened it, this brave knight seemed very young, but his speed and momentum were not inferior to others.
The Kazakhs have a traditional horse game - carrying sheep. It is said that this game was first developed from the Altai area. Today, all Kazakh herdsmen still inherit it.
Holding sheep is not only an exciting horse game played by Kazakh herdsmen, but also a contest of strength and courage, a competition of equestrianism and riding skills. During a fierce scramble, it is justifiable to accidentally fall off the horse, and it is precisely because of this that the charm of the "goat holding" competition appears. Snow entertainment:
It is said that the end of 2018 is the first year for Nalati to carry out winter tourism. The Nalati Grassland Scenic Area (ticket: 75 yuan) also has a variety of snow entertainment options for us to choose from.
Horse-drawn sledge:
Route 1: From Dongmen to Xinyi, from the driving camp to Binhe Landscape Road, 50 yuan/person;
Route 2: 60 yuan/person from the east gate to the east gate of the racecourse to the Binhe landscape road;
Route 3: 40 yuan/person from the East Gate to the Broken Bridge in Forest Park.
I don't know what it's called, anyway, just play around in the scenic area.
Snowmobile:
Line 1: East Gate to Forest Park Wildlife Rescue Station, 10 minutes round trip;
Route 2: East Gate to Panlongsong, round trip 20 minutes; Route 3: East Gate to Panlong Valley Road Observation Deck, round trip 30 minutes;
Route 4: From the East Gate to the Whirlwind Observation Deck, 40-50 minutes round trip;
The fee is 70 yuan per 10 minutes.
horse riding:
Route: From Dongmen to Panlongsong to the Sancha intersection of the resort, 80 yuan per hour.
If you don’t want to ride a horse, you can also take a photo with your favorite horse like me, and post it on Moments to show off.
ski:
Nalati Ski Resort (tickets: starting at 110 yuan) is the closest ski resort to the airport in the world, only 2 kilometers away from Nalati Airport. It is 10 kilometers away from Xinyuan County, with obvious transportation advantages. At present, the ski resort has a total length of 3,800 meters for beginners, intermediates and seniors, and a 300-meter snow circle track; 500 sets of ski equipment, and snowmaking facilities and equipment that fully meet the basic needs of the ski resort. , Cable cars, snowmobiles and other transportation facilities are all available.
Take the cable car to the top:
You can also take the only aerial cable car in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture to the top of the mountain.
It is also a kind of enjoyment to take the cable car to the top of the mountain to overlook the earth.
Snow Music Festival:
The Nalati Ski Resort will also organize various music events from time to time. If you happen to meet them, you can follow the music of the band on the stage by a pile of bonfires and swing together.
Playing in the snow:
Don't waste this opportunity to chase and play in the snow, innocence belongs to everyone.
Taking pictures in the snow:
And don't forget to leave your own shadow in the snow.
In fact, I really didn't feel particularly cold. Lerk (LERK) jeans and America's First Outdoor (TFO) windproof jacket lined with thin down were easily solved.
This kind of comfortable ambient temperature is especially suitable for girls. Don’t worry about being too cold. No matter where you are, no matter what angle you take, the photos you take can always be full of various feelings and beautiful. The most unmissable food:
Those who like to travel naturally cannot resist the temptation of delicious food. The most common food in Xinjiang is beef and mutton, and it is the same in the Nalati Grassland. However, the most unmissable thing in Nalati is: horse meat Naren.
After the smoked horse meat is cooked, it is served together with the hot noodles. The Kazakh host cuts pieces of horse meat into small pieces in front of the guests and serves them to the guests together with the noodles. The guests can add some onions, Cumin, pepper powder and other seasonings. The aroma of the horse meat and the chewiness of the noodles make it a delicacy that you will want to eat even after you eat it, and you will never forget it after you leave.
The Kazakh owner said that the most delicious horse meat should be this horse sausage, and ordinary guests have not had the opportunity to taste it, but I always feel that this is a bit too fatty. stay:
In Nalati, there are everything from homestays, inns, and business hotels. The price ranges from 50 yuan to 400 yuan. If you need a car, you can also book directly with the front desk. It should be said that everything here is quite convenient.
How to get there:
①Airplane
· Urumqi directly flies to Nalati Airport (40 minutes away), during which time you can walk among the clouds, enjoy the sea of clouds, and watch the sunrise. Then take a car from the airport and it takes 50 minutes to reach Nalati.
·Fly directly from Urumqi to Yining (50-minute journey), and then transfer to Nalati by car (about 4 hours). Although the journey is a bit far away, there are beautiful scenery along the way.
② Self-driving
·From Urumqi→Yining→Nalati, from the desolate Gobi desert to the "last tear of the Atlantic Ocean" Sailimu Lake, passing through the largest and most important bridge in Xinjiang - the Guozigou Bridge, from the continuous mountains to Ili River valleys, different landforms give tourists different visual enjoyment.
③ train
·Urumqi→Yining City, transfer to a car (about 4 hours) to Nalati, and you can have a panoramic view of the scenery of the Ili River Valley along the way.
