Kuodeng Scenic Area in Gongliu County

Kuodeng Scenic Area in Gongliu County

The Kuodeng Scenic Area in Gongliu County is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national water conservancy scenic area.

The Kuodeng Scenic Area is located in the eastern mountainous region of Gongliu County, 86 kilometers from the county seat. The valley floor has an average elevation of 1,500 meters. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that while most valleys follow the mountain terrain downward, this broad valley runs parallel to the snow-capped mountains. "Kuodeng" means "transverse valley."

Kuodeng Scenic Area

Kuodeng Scenic Area

Kuodeng is a famous scenic area and a popular summer retreat. In autumn, the leaves blaze like fire; in spring, flowers blanket the mountains. The scenery is enchanting and ever-changing, combining grandeur with delicate beauty, vibrant colors, and a transcendent charm that is beyond description. Major attractions include the Hecang Pass, Hecang Valley Waterfall, Tikkalagai, distant views of the Kabbanbay Peak, grassland sunsets, and sunrises. It is not only a great place for visitors to explore the wonders of nature but also a source of inspiration and joy for painters and photographers.

Kuodeng Scenic Area

Main tourist attractions in the scenic area:

Immortal Cliff on Crow Ridge

Immortal Cliff on Crow Ridge is located on the river terrace east of Kapuchi Sea. On both sides of the road are secondary forests of river terraces, dense or sparse, interwoven with wild apricots, sea buckthorns, and thorny yellow cypresses. The colorful fruits add splashes of color. To the north is the Big Jilgalan River, hidden among dense woods. Crossing the woods south of the road, you’ll see many bizarre and uniquely shaped rock formations. Some resemble humans, some animals, and others defy comparison—interpretations vary. The largest one is said to resemble a deity descending from heaven, pointing the way for travelers. Hence the name Immortal Cliff on Crow Ridge.

Crow Ridge was originally called Crow Forest. In the past, the river terrace was covered with tall poplar trees, where countless crows nested, hence the name Crow Forest. Later, due to human-induced ecological damage, the trees were destroyed and the crows flew away, leaving only the ridge without the forest, so it was renamed Crow Ridge.

Hecang Pass

Starting from Moke’er Township, drive 12 kilometers to reach the Hecang Bridge. Beneath the bridge lies the Hecang Pass. Hecang is the gateway to Kuodeng, meaning "pass" in Kazakh. The Hecang Pass cuts into the ochre-red limestone, long and narrow like a corridor, with clear water splashing, a bridge spanning overhead, and winding paths leading into serenity—a sight hailed as extraordinary.

Hecang Pass Waterfall

About a hundred meters upstream along the Hecang Pass, you’ll find the Hecang Pass Waterfall. The surging waters of the Kuodeng River are held back by a dam, gathering momentum before crashing down through three stone gates in an unstoppable torrent, plunging over 6 meters into the valley. Accompanied by deafening roars, the water churns and roars, sending up sprays of mist and scattering droplets like pearls, with a cool breeze hitting your face—an awe-inspiring and magnificent scene.

Hecang Valley Waterfall

After crossing the Hecang Bridge, drive a short distance along the mountainous road of Hecang Valley to reach the waterfall valley entrance. Park your car, walk along the path on the east side of the stream, and climb the steps northward into a secluded valley fragrant with strawberries, blooming with flowers, and dense with forests. After about 40 meters, you’ll arrive at the base of a deep pool. There, amidst the dense forest and steep cliffs, a stream cascades down from the cliffs, 3–4 meters wide and over 30 meters high. The water curtain from the cliff, with droplets flying and thunderous sounds, brings a cool mist, creating a poetic and picturesque scene. Faced with such a magnificent landscape, one can’t help but recite the famous line: “The cataract leaps down three thousand feet, as if the Silver River fell from the blue sky.” The poetic charm makes you feel as if you’re right there. This is the world-famous Hecang Valley Waterfall. Because the valley is home to various wild fruits and mountain delicacies, it’s often playfully called the “Water Curtain Cave of Flowers and Fruits.” In the deep winter, when the waterfall freezes, icicles hang like peaks and mountains, with the frozen curtain covering a crystal palace. Being there feels dreamlike and surreal, as if you’re floating on air.

Kabbanbay Peak

Looking south from the Kuodeng broad valley on a clear day, you’ll see a towering snow-capped peak standing proudly above the surrounding mountains—that’s Kabbanbay Peak. With an elevation of 4,257 meters, it is the highest peak of the Nalati Mountain Range and one of the most famous peaks in Ili.

Kabbanbay Peak has many beautiful legends, the most famous being about the origin of its name. Kabbanbay was a revered and celebrated national hero of the Kazakh people. Originally named Aizibachar, he came from the Halaqile clan of the Naiman tribe and was an important general of the Kazakh Middle Horde Khanate in the mid-18th century. Renowned for his bravery and outstanding military achievements, he was honored as “Kabbanbay Batyr,” meaning a hero as fierce as a wild boar, and became a symbol of battle and victory for the Kazakh people. Legend has it that he once led the Kazakhs in brave battles to defend their homeland in this area. To express their admiration for the hero, people named the highest peak after his heroic title. Kabbanbay Peak is lofty and steep, with several glaciers distributed below it, making it one of the sources of the Kuodeng River. The mountain is dotted with clusters of snow lotuses, and rare animals such as snow leopards, bears, argali, golden eagles, and snowcocks call it home—an elusive treasure trove that adventurers yearn to explore.

Tikkalagai

Located on the southern side of the broad valley, Tikkalagai is another highlight of Kuodeng. In Kazakh, Tikkalagai means “tall, upright spruce trees.” On the steep mountainside, spruces climb and thrive, reaching toward the sky, standing tall and densely packed, like a green Great Wall built along the mountain, stretching endlessly. When the wind blows, the rustling sounds mournful. Watching the sunrise in the early morning, the shifting light creates a dynamic and ever-changing scene; at sunset, the dark mountains glow red, and the layered forests are painted in hues. The majestic and stunning scenery of Kuodeng leaves one in awe.

Red Birch Forest

Drive about 3 kilometers south along the highway west of the Kuodeng Iron Bridge to reach the Red Birch Forest. The forest varies in width from a dozen to several dozen meters and stretches nearly 1 kilometer. Remarkably, the trees along both sides of the highway are almost all tall birches, over a hundred years old. In sparse areas, ancient trees tower, twisted or straight; in dense areas, vines and creepers entangle, making it impassable even for cattle and horses. Under the shrubs, strawberries, wild apples, and mushrooms are abundant. The river flows noisily around the forest, and in the calmer sections, enjoying the scenery and fishing is a rare and refined pleasure. Stepping into the Red Birch Forest feels like entering a fairy-tale world—an indescribably magical experience.

Kuodeng Grassland

Hiking up through the forest and climbing the mountains from the eastern side of the broad valley, you’ll be greeted by an endless expanse of vast and beautiful grassland—the renowned Kuodeng Grassland. The grassland is covered with blooming wildflowers, grazing livestock, and galloping horses, presenting the classic scene of “wind blowing the grass revealing cattle and sheep.” In the mountain bends and by the streams, under the shade of dense forests, dotting the landscape are yurts with wisps of smoke rising. Gazing into the distance, the snow-capped peaks on the horizon shimmer with colorful hues under the sunlight. Below the neat tree line lies an endless expanse of lush greenery. Above, white clouds drift across the blue sky, and eagles soar. On the southwestern side of the grassland lies a small lake like a round moon, its surface mirror-like and crystal clear, with the reflections of the sky and clouds drifting on the water—an idyllic and poetic scene. At dusk, the setting sun paints the sky in blood-red hues, with rosy clouds and shifting light, the mountains turning hazy and red, and the layered forests ablaze with color—an exceptionally rare and breathtaking sight. The Kuodeng Grassland is boundlessly beautiful, like a painting, offering more scenery than the eye can take in.