Hemu Grassland

Hemu Grassland

Hemu Grassland is situated in a mountainous intermontane basin at the confluence of the Kanas River and the Hemu River, with an altitude ranging from 1,124 to 2,300 meters. The surrounding mountains are broad and have gently rounded summits, while the rivers have mostly carved out deep canyons, resulting in a complex landscape. The Hemu River flows from the northeast to the southwest, cutting the grassland into two parts. The shady slopes of the mountains are covered with dense, emerald-green forests where elk, marmots, and snowcocks make their homes. In contrast, the sunny slopes boast verdant meadows blanketed with colorful blossoms, exuding a sweet fragrance as bees gather nectar. Grazing animals such as cattle and sheep roam freely across the vast plains, presenting a breathtaking scene of expansive grassland scenery.

Hemu Township is the northernmost township in western China. The village of Hemu is home to the Tuva people, who maintain one of the most well-preserved traditional ethnic cultures. It is one of the most famous Tuva villages and also the remotest and largest among the only three remaining Tuva villages (Hemu, Kanas, and Baihaba), covering a total area of 3,040 square kilometers. The township currently has a population of over 1,800, including more than 1,400 ethnic Mongolian Tuva people, predominantly Mongolian Tuva and Kazakh. Their wooden houses are scattered across the mountain grasslands.

Hemu Grassland receives an annual precipitation of up to 600 mm. The vegetation is primarily composed of grasses and weeds, mainly including sheep fescue, pulsatilla, bulbils, sedge, and other grass species. The growing season lasts from May to September, with grass heights between 20–50 cm and coverage exceeding 90%. It serves as a major summer and winter grazing ground for the surrounding regions.

The natural and pristine mountain scenery of Hemu is uniquely beautiful. The Hemu River flows from the northeast to the southwest, seamlessly blending the traditional village with the vast grassland. Upon arriving in Hemu Village, the first sights to greet visitors are the rows of small wooden houses and herds of grazing animals, set against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, forests, meadows, blue skies, and white clouds—forming a distinctive natural and cultural landscape. These wooden houses have become a symbol of the Tuva people. Most of the cabins are built with more than half of their structure buried underground to withstand the harsh cold during the nearly six-month-long snowy season. They are particularly rustic and primitive, featuring traditional characteristics of nomadic cultures. The roofs are typically made of wooden planks nailed into an A-frame shape to form a shelter, while the main structure consists of single-layer logs with diameters of around 30–40 centimeters, offering both insulation and moisture resistance.

The most stunning autumn scenery in the Kanas region can be found in Hemu, where the forests are painted in vibrant hues, creating a colorful and quintessential example of pristine natural ecological beauty. From the small hills around Hemu Village, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the village and the Hemu River. They can watch the sunrise, admire the snow-capped peaks and gentle streams from a distance, or take a closer look at the Tuva households. It is an ideal spot for capturing sunrise, morning mist, wooden houses, and the Hemu River.

The Hemu region currently raises over 30 captive elk, producing more than 100 kilograms of elk antler annually. Additionally, the area produces a rare and exquisite type of white honey, while abundant resources of cordyceps and Bupleurum, both highly valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, are also found here, offering significant medicinal benefits.