Sandao Haizi Scenic Area

Sandao Haizi Scenic Area

Sandao Haizi Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Sandao Haizi, known as "Yushikule" in Kazakh, is located in Qinghe County. The main lake has geographical coordinates of 46°44′16″N, 90°51′48″E, and an elevation of 2

675 meters.

Sandao Haizi lies on the subalpine grassland belt on the southern slope of the eastern section of the Altai Mountains and consists of three lakes, from north to south: Bianhaizi (Qietekukule), Zhonghaizi (Woltaukule), and Huahaizi (Shibarkule). Among them, Huahaizi and Zhonghaizi are situated in the mainstream valley of the Xiaqinggeli River, while Bianhaizi is located in the valley of the Qietelekukule River, a tributary of the Xiaqinggeli River. The three lakes are aligned in a northwest–southeast direction, roughly parallel to the orientation of the Altai Mountains. The two valleys where the lakes are located are U-shaped, gently sloped, with slow-moving waters that flow either northwest or southeast before merging and then heading southwest.

The area surrounding Sandao Haizi features alpine meadows, primarily covered with plants such as reed canary grass, fescue, sheep fescue, and pedicularis. The annual precipitation ranges from 250 to 300 millimeters. In spring, the grasslands are lush and green, making it an important pastoral area for local herders. Huahaizi is the largest of the three lakes, with a depth of 10 meters and an area of 2.7 square kilometers. In the southeastern part of the lake lies a stone burial mound, constructed from piled stones, standing 15 meters high, with a diameter of 78 meters and a circumference of 280 meters in a conical shape. Legend has it that this tomb is the burial site of Güyük Khan, the son of Ogedei Khan, the fourth son of Genghis Khan. Local residents often come here to worship and hold various ceremonies.