Kuobielike Mountain Butterfly Valley Scenic Area

Kuobielike Mountain Butterfly Valley Scenic Area

Drive about 60 kilometers east from Altay City, cross the Kalaerqisi River, and you will arrive at the Kuobielike Mountain area in the northern part of Fuhai County. There is a valley known in Kazakh as “Kuobielike Bulak,” which means “Butterfly Valley” in Chinese. Stretching roughly 60 kilometers from north to south at an altitude of around 1,400 meters, the valley is surrounded by high mountains. It enjoys a warm climate in summer and cool temperatures in winter, with bubbling springs, lush green grass, and a profusion of blooming flowers. From June to September each year, the valley becomes a misty wonderland bursting with floral colors, as millions of colorful butterflies gather here, forming a sea of fluttering wings. The air is thick with butterflies, blossoms are covered in them, damp and shaded lowlands teem with them, and along the mountain paths, every 50 meters you’ll find clusters and heaps of butterflies. A single cluster may contain anywhere from a hundred to over a thousand. Sometimes the butterflies are so numerous that they block the paths, making it difficult for visitors to move forward—just one step could crush a pile of them. With a gentle swing of a net, one can easily catch eighty or ninety butterflies. Preliminary surveys suggest there are dozens of butterfly species in the valley, all vibrant and breathtakingly beautiful. Some are as large as maple leaves, others as small as snowflakes; some are diamond-shaped, others resemble silver shuttles; some have wing edges that look like parabolas, while others seem like peacocks spreading their tails. As for their colors and patterns, they are simply dazzling: some are pinkish-white, others golden-yellow, jet-black, or silvery-gray. Some are solid and pure in tone, others dappled and intricate. Some scales are dazzlingly gorgeous, gleaming with metallic or iridescent hues, while others are simple and pristine, clear and bright. And the way the butterflies dance through the air is equally varied and enchanting, fully showcasing the graceful movements of these tiny “insect dancers.”

The most numerous butterflies in the valley are the Hawthorn Anglewing Butterflies, but the most beautiful and precious are the large, brightly colored swallowtails. In addition, common species include the Parnassius Butterflies, Clouded Yellows, Lined Fritillaries, Leopard Lacewings, White-letter Hairstreaks, and Small Blues... Compared to our Xinjiang’s Butterfly Valley, Yunnan’s Butterfly Spring truly pales in comparison.

Address: Within Kuobielike Mountain, more than 60 kilometers from downtown Altay

Type: Forest

Ticket Information:

Free admission.