There’s something profoundly moving about witnessing the cycle of life on one of Asia’s most ancient grasslands. During my recent trip to Xinjiang’s Ili region, I spent several days exploring the magnificent Nalati Grassland, known locally as the “sky grassland” for its high elevation and proximity to the clouds. April marks the beginning of spring in this region, when the grasslands awaken from their winter dormancy. The timing of my visit couldn’t have been more perfect - lambing season was in full swing, offering countless opportunities to observe the tender interactions between mother sheep and their newborns.

There are certain landscapes that seem to exist at the boundary between earth and heaven. The Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang’s Ili region is one such place - a realm where snow-capped peaks pierce blue skies while verdant grasslands spread out below like a green ocean. During my journey through Xinjiang this April, I was fortunate to witness this spectacular mountain range from Xinyuan County, where the timing of my visit coincided with a perfect weather window after recent spring snowfall.

There’s a Kazakh legend that tells of a young couple, Sayram and Salimu, whose tears of joy formed a vast lake after they were finally united following years of separation. Standing on the shores of Sayram Lake, surrounded by an almost supernatural blue that seems to pulse with its own inner light, it’s easy to understand why such poetic myths would arise around this extraordinary body of water. During my exploration of Xinjiang in late April 2024, I dedicated a full day to experiencing this alpine gem, known locally as the “Last Teardrop of the Atlantic” due to the moisture-bearing air currents that travel thousands of kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean to finally release precipitation here.