Ertix River

Ertix River

The Ertix River is the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean. It originates from the southern slopes of the Altai Mountains, stretching 46 kilometers from its source to the national border, with a drainage area of 57,000 square kilometers.

The Ertix River Valley is broad and its waters are mighty, with an annual runoff as high as 11.9 billion cubic meters. The riverbed is strewn with massive rocks, and silver waves churn vigorously. The secondary forests along the valley resemble a green sash, inlaid on the desert and Gobi landscape. Among these, the secondary forests in the Beitun section of the river are the most lush, stretching out like a green ocean, and are known as the "Poplar Gene Bank."

In the lower reaches, the riverbeds of the Burqin River and the Haba River feature numerous river shoals, while the valleys are dotted with marshes where water plants and green trees thrive abundantly. This area is hailed as the "Water Town in the Desert" and holds high scientific research and tourism value.

Transportation

23 kilometers along the road from Burqin to Haba County

On the left side of the provincial highway lies the colorful bay of the Ertix River.