Artux Grand Canyon

Artux Grand Canyon

Artux Grand Canyon is situated in Tugumaiti Township, Artux City, approximately 38 kilometers from the city. Originally called "Jiayipaqimu" in Uyghur, the name translates to “a place where people live” (“Jiayi”) and the name of a once-renowned Uyghur woman (“Paqimu”). She was a devoted follower of Sutuq Bughrakhan, the third ruler of the Karakhanid Dynasty, and after his defeat in battle, she fled here, eventually died and was buried in Jiayi. To commemorate her, the area was named after her. Legend has it that Artux Grand Canyon was the site of a pivotal battle where Sutuq turned defeat into victory and seized power.

Many of the scenic features within the canyon are tied to the legend of Sutuq. This beautiful and mystical canyon stretches about 6 kilometers in length, with depths of up to 2.5 kilometers and widths ranging from 3 to 5 meters. It is a naturally formed, north-south oriented valley. Nestled against mountains and beside flowing waters, the canyon boasts the primal purity of rugged peaks and the crystal-clear sheen of spring water. Here, the valleys are deep and serene, with oddly shaped rocks jutting out, blue skies above, emerald waters below, fresh mountain air, and clear springs. Tiny streams converge into pools where fish swim freely, while gray cranes glide above. Visitors will find themselves immersed in breathtaking scenes: sunlight filtering through the mountains, clear springs trickling over stones, snow trout swimming near the bottom, and majestic peaks reflected in the water. Within the canyon, mountain streams twist and turn, rich in mineral and trace elements beneficial to health, making it an excellent water source for local herders. The area also features century-old willow and mulberry trees. Some willow trunks are so massive they can accommodate a person lying on them, and there are leisure spots tailored for fly-fishing enthusiasts, as well as places to relax, escape the summer heat, and find inner peace.

Upon entering the canyon, in a flat area to the northwest and shaded by greenery, stand two low earthen huts. Their original purpose is unclear, giving rise to various mysterious legends that remain unconfirmed. In front of the huts are three ancient willow trees with intertwined roots, lying across the ground — said to be a thousand years old. Beside the trees is a clear spring, its slender stream murmuring as it flows into the distance. To the north of the spring sits a robust, embrace-worthy mulberry tree. Beneath it lies an oval-shaped stone, resembling a halved watermelon with a slightly reddish, pulp-like surface. These willows, mulberry, and the stone melon all have their own enchanting legends.

Continuing upstream along the creek, on the shady side of the western hillside, another spring emerges from the cliff wall. With a diameter of about 5–6 centimeters, this clear spring never dries up throughout the year. Opposite this spring is a recessed pool in the cliff face, roughly one meter in diameter, where water gushes up from the bottom. Locals call it "Kuslehana," meaning a place for bathing. Some visitors remove their shoes to wash their feet here before venturing barefoot deeper into the canyon.

Further ahead, the valley narrows, with some sections so tight that one must sidle through sideways. After passing through this constriction, the view suddenly opens up to reveal an irregularly shaped boulder lying in the gully bed, smoothed and polished by the clear stream flowing over it. Beyond the boulder, as you walk a little further and look up, you’ll see towering, steep cliffs as if cleaved by axe and knife, with the sky reduced to a thin slit and slivers of sunlight streaming through. Among the scattered rocks on the ground lies a massive trough-like slab, resembling a hand-carved stone channel, next to which stands a stone pillar over a meter tall, like a horse tethering post.

Circling around the stone trough and crawling forward, you’ll find a cave beneath the western cliff. Roughly over 3 meters in diameter and semi-circular in shape, with a height of about 3 meters, the cave has three streams of spring water dripping slowly from the ceiling, like three fine threads of rain — the middle one slightly thicker, the two sides thinner. When a person stands inside the cave, the middle stream drips right onto their head, while the side streams land on their shoulders, creating a natural shower-like bathing spot.

Climbing over several large rocks, the terrain gradually rises, flanked by barren, sheer cliffs. The ravine becomes even narrower, with some sections so tight that only one person can crawl through. Yet, after squeezing through this passage, an astonishingly vast open area suddenly appears. Scattered among the rocks are wild poplar trees and patches of green grass — truly a case of “lost in a mountain maze, only to emerge into a bright new village.” This hidden gem feels like a grand military parade ground or a general’s platform, yet also seems to conceal a mysterious palace. This secluded, legendary spot holds both the ever-changing wonders of nature and the moving tales of human history, waiting to be discovered and unveiled.