Mus Island Iceberg

Mus Island Iceberg

Mus Island Iceberg is located 45 kilometers south of the county town. The entire iceberg stretches 12 kilometers in length, 5 kilometers in width, covering an area of 60 square kilometers, with the main peak standing at an elevation of 3,835 meters. The relative height of Mus Island Ice Peak is less than 1,500 meters. The slopes of the iceberg are gently inclined with small undulations, and the terrain is relatively flat. Perennial snow covers the area year-round, and the meltwater from the iceberg forms a natural lake in the basin-like valley below. From an altitude of 3,000 meters upward, the iceberg is perpetually covered in ice and snow, resembling a vast snowy plain. The upper section is draped in silver, the middle glows with crystal-clear ice like jade, while the lower part features endless stretches of lush green fields. From November to May of the following year, the entire Sawur Mountain remains pristine white. From June to October, it also presents the phenomenon of “four seasons on one mountain, differing skies within ten miles.” Especially in summer, blooming alpine flowers, verdant grasslands, glistening snow, and herds of sheep tended by shepherds create a vivid and magnificent national masterpiece. With a relative height of less than 1,500 meters, Mus Island Ice Peak can be directly accessed by a border defense road that leads all the way to the snow line. The nearby icy slopes are perennially snow-covered, have gentle gradients, sparse vegetation, and offer unobstructed views—making them highly suitable for skiing. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, ski teams from the Altay region and the national “Bayi” Ski Team organized training sessions here. In 2005, Tian Younian, Secretary-General of the Chinese Ski Association, personally visited the iceberg for an inspection and remarked: “In terms of snow quality, terrain, and the length of ski runs, Mus Island can be considered a rare off-season natural ski destination in China.”

Since 2005, our county has accelerated the development of infrastructure for iceberg tourism under the principle of “developing while protecting, and protecting while developing.” To date, over 4 million yuan has been invested in infrastructure construction: a defense highway leading to the summit of the iceberg and a water-retaining dam have been built; the main structures of two villas have been completed; and within four scenic zones—the Ice Ridge Garden, Glacier Garden, Snow Garden, and Ice Lake Garden—artistic ice sculptures such as yurts and mosques have been erected, welcoming thousands of winter sports enthusiasts.