Hoh Xil

Hoh Xil

Hoh Xil is a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, a national wetland park, a national geopark, and a science education base.

Hoh Xil Town is located in the Altai Mountains, 48 kilometers northeast of Fuyun County in the northern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Ertix River flows right through the town, which is the origin of its name. In Kazakh, Hoh Xil means "green forest," and in Mongolian, it means "blue river bend." It is the second coldest place in China. The hydroelectric department of Fuyun recorded a temperature of minus 60°C, but it was not officially recognized. During the same period, the Mohe Meteorological Station in Heilongjiang also recorded a low of minus 60°C, so Mohe was designated as China’s coldest region, while Fuyun had to settle for second place.

　About 10 kilometers from Hoh Xil Town lies a massive earthquake fault zone left by the earthquake on August 11, 1931. It is one of the rarest and most well-preserved fault zones in the world. There is also Geological Site No. 3, which features dozens of minerals and has been nominated as a national-level heritage site. The area offers the natural scenery of the headwaters of the Ertix River, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Yilemu, which provide a cool and pleasant summer retreat, and unique winter ice and snow resources such as Divine Bell Mountain, Big Stone Gate, Small Stone Gate, hot springs, sacred springs, fairy caves, and peculiar mountains and rocks. It is also a prime spot for finding treasures like tourmaline, sapphire, crystal, snow lotus, and cordyceps.

Climate Resources

(1) Spring (April–May): Dry and windy, with large temperature fluctuations. Precipitation is scarce.

(2) Summer (June–August): Short and less hot. Strong sunlight, long days and short nights. Mountainous areas are cool in summer, with average monthly temperatures below 20°C.

(3) Autumn (September–October): Clear and refreshing skies, with many sunny days—averaging 21–29 sunny days per month. Precipitation decreases significantly compared to summer, and the first frost appears in the Altai Mountains by the end of July. The first snow usually falls in late September or early October. From late September to November, permafrost forms progressively from the Altai Mountains southward to the valley plains.

(4) Winter (November–March of the following year): Long and extremely cold, with heavy snow cover. In the eastern Altai Mountains, particularly in Qinghe and Hoh Xil, the average monthly temperatures remain below minus 20°C throughout winter, with Hoh Xil being the coldest.

After being designated a national geopark in 2005, Hoh Xil Town’s advantages for tourism development in northern Altay became increasingly prominent. The "11th Five-Year Development Plan" was formulated, along with the "Hoh Xil Town Urban Master Plan (Draft)." Efforts to secure the status of a nationally key small town construction project were continuously intensified. The town's overall plan and protection plans for Russian-style architecture were adjusted and revised. While inheriting and promoting outstanding historical and cultural traditions, the town preserved its original appearance, layout, and character. Old urban areas were cautiously renovated, and new areas were developed, balancing urban construction with cultural preservation, integrating the protection and utilization of historic buildings, and managing the relationship between old and new, tradition and innovation, as well as protection and construction. Cultural resources were leveraged to rationally arrange scenic spot development, maximizing the advantages of the national geopark and historical-cultural districts. The goal is to become a uniquely styled border town known for thriving tourism and prosperous commerce and industry.

Travel Tips

1. The best time to enter the mountains is from late August to early October, when the entire scenic area displays a captivating golden hue. Visiting too early means the leaves haven’t yet turned yellow—though it has its own beauty, it somehow feels incomplete. However, the editor also doesn’t recommend going after the National Day holiday, as it starts snowing in Hoh Xil every year after that. Once the roads are blocked by heavy snow, entering forcefully becomes very unsafe.

2. If you’re entering the mountains in late September, be sure to bring warm clothing. The editor visited during National Day and found that a short down jacket was just about adequate—it’s best not to underestimate the power of the second coldest place on Earth.

3. Make sure to bring extra camera batteries when entering the mountains. The extreme beauty will drain your camera’s power quickly. Once you’re in, it’s no exaggeration to say there won’t be any shops within twenty miles.