Videos of lush green meadows and an unusual attraction where tourists ride rail carts down a hill are gaining popularity on social media. Many users assumed the location was near Almaty. In fact, the footage was shot in the Narat (Nalati) prairies, one of the most famous scenic spots in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China, reports infohub.kz.
The meadows lie at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains at an altitude of about 2,000 meters and are among the region's most beautiful natural sites. The video creator says she flew from Almaty to Yining (also known as Kulja) and then drove about four more hours. She also notes that entry to the national park is paid and that the park features the rail cart ride that went viral on social media.
Tourists describe the trip as a "road to paradise," with many comparing the landscapes to Switzerland or scenes from Studio Ghibli films. Popular tips from travelers include visiting from June to August, going up to the upper viewing platforms, and allocating a full day for the park, as visitors must use special shuttle buses inside.
It is also possible to travel from Almaty to Yining by international bus, but the journey takes about 12 hours including border crossing.
Kazakhstan citizens enjoy a visa-free regime with China. They can stay in China without a visa for up to 30 calendar days per trip, but no more than 90 days within any 180-day period.
Earlier, Kursiv reported on what to see in Kulja.