Nanshan Pasture

What it is

Nanshan Pasture, or Nanshan Muchang, lies in the Tianshan range about 60 kilometers south of Ürümqi. For centuries, Kazakh nomads have used these high-altitude grasslands as summer pasture, moving their yurts and livestock up as the snow melts. The area was officially designated a scenic spot in the 1980s and later awarded 4A status, but it remains a working pastoral landscape rather than a theme park. The name 'Nanshan' simply means 'Southern Mountains' in Chinese, reflecting its position relative to the city.

The pasture sits at elevations between 1,800 and 2,500 meters, which keeps summer temperatures pleasantly cool, often 10°C lower than Ürümqi. The landscape is a patchwork of grassy slopes, spruce forests, and rocky peaks, with the glacier-capped Bogda range visible in the distance. Visitors can explore on foot, horseback, or by cable car, and many local Kazakh families offer homestays and traditional meals. For a deeper cultural immersion, our guides can arrange a visit to a yurt to learn about nomadic customs and taste authentic dairy products.

Highlights

• Kazakh yurt visits — Step inside a traditional circular tent, learn how felt is made, and share salted milk tea with herding families who welcome respectful guests.
• Horseback riding — Gentle horses and local guides lead you across flower-filled meadows to panoramic viewpoints; no prior experience needed for the one-hour loop.
• Summer wildflowers — From June to August, the slopes blaze with purple iris, yellow buttercups, and edelweiss, making every trail a photographer's dream.
• Glacier views — On clear days, the jagged peaks of Bogda Feng and the Tianshan glacier fields form a dramatic backdrop to the green pastures.
• Kumis and dairy tasting — Sample fermented mare's milk, dried yogurt curds, and fresh cream, all produced by the herders themselves using centuries-old methods.

How to get there

From Ürümqi, Nanshan Pasture is a 1.5-hour drive via the G216 highway, and private transfers are the most comfortable option. Our guide will pick you up from your hotel and handle the mountain roads. Alternatively, public buses leave from the South Ürümqi Bus Station, but they are infrequent and crowded. A day trip fits easily into a morning departure, with time for lunch, riding, and a late-afternoon return to the city.

Tickets & practical info

Entrance to the scenic area costs ¥45 per person; additional activities like horseback riding (¥80–120 per hour) and cable car (¥60 round-trip) are paid separately. Opening hours are 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM in summer, shorter in winter. Book through our guide to skip the ticket queue, and bring cash or use WeChat Pay/Alipay, as foreign cards are not accepted at the gate.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit is from June to September, when the pasture is lush and wildflowers are in bloom. July and August offer the warmest weather and the most active nomadic life, but also draw domestic crowds. For fewer people, come on a weekday morning in late June or early September. Afternoon light is best for photography, with the sun illuminating the peaks.

Tips from our guides

• Wear sturdy walking shoes and bring a light jacket; mountain weather changes quickly, and even summer mornings can be chilly.
• If you plan to ride horses, listen carefully to your guide's instructions and keep a relaxed posture; helmets are available on request.
• Always ask permission before photographing herders or entering yurts, and avoid pointing your camera at religious objects without consent.
• Bring small denominations of cash (¥10–20) for toilet fees, snacks, or tips, as ATMs are nonexistent in the pasture.
• To avoid the biggest crowds, start your visit before 10 AM and save the popular meadow for late afternoon when tour groups depart.

FAQ