22/9/26 : Nalati! The Switzerland of the East!
We drove pass the most expensive bridge Guozigo yesterday into ILi. Ex- due to materials for quake proof. Already in operation for over 15 years. From the top ,
We drove into a 3km tunnel thru the mountain and ended at the bottom the bridge. This had help to cut the driving time from here to Urumuqi from 2 days to 1/2 day now!
Ili is a small town of 300k in the Yining County. Home to the Uighurs and Kazakhs and the unique Narati Grassland!
Because ours is a free and easy tour with the driver whose home is near ILi? We requested him to take us to the old sector of the town. We were at the new town side where the spider web township centre was built during the old times. Now tourist shops. But the old town with the horse ride was more interesting. Sky blue is the architect love of the Uighurs and Kazakhs.
Really quite amazing. The drive from ILi to this grassland is worth it. No one can imagine such a view at the 2000m alpine meadow! So many herds of horses, sheep, goats and cows around!
We took the mountain bus only to the mid level of this beautiful alpine this afternoon.
So Tomo we intend to take the cable car to the top and return to have another down again. Cos this is really pretty! Think can skip Switzerland now. 😂
