I had long heard that there used to be a grand temple in Chagan Gol Township (formerly Dongfeng Commune) of Qinghe County. The Kazakh name for Kekeyuyi Village in this township means "blue house," as the roof of the temple was blue. Due to historical legacy, Qinghe County has many Buddhist relics. Back in 1998 when I worked in the township...
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.
Taochagan Gol Lake is a lake located in the upper reaches of the Daqing River, situated on the southern slope of the eastern section of the Altai Mountains within the forest-steppe zone north of the county town. A 110-kilometer pastoral road leads to the area. Geographic coordinates: 90°30′E, 46°45′N; elevation: 2,396 meters. The lake is approximately 6 kilometers long, with a maximum width of 1 kilometer, a water surface area of...
A national 2A-level scenic spot. Located in the eastern part of the county. (Built in 2007, it is a comprehensive project integrating flood control, landscaping, and leisure activities. The project was fully completed and put into use by the end of 2008. Qinglong Lake Park has a total designed area of 160,000 square meters, including a water surface area of 90,000 square meters, and land...)
Beitaishan is located in the northeastern part of Xinjiang, bordering Outer Mongolia, at approximately 41°3′ north latitude and 91°1′ east longitude, with an elevation of around 1,500 meters. It lies about 140 kilometers from Qinghe County. Due to frequent incursions by Outer Mongolia into the Beitaishan area, Ma Xizhen, the commander of the cavalry company under the Second Regiment of the Fifth Cavalry Division of Xinjiang, was ordered to lead his troops to occupy Beitaishan and construct...
Birch Park is located at 90°21′10″ east longitude and 46°40′52″ north latitude, 1.5 kilometers west of Qinghe County, on the riverbank east of the Daqinggeli River, at an elevation of 1,230 meters. The third-grade asphalt roads leading in and out of the county all pass by the park entrance, making transportation very convenient. In 2005, Birch…
The giant panda is regarded as a national treasure of the Chinese nation, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. On the west side of the Daqing River lies a mountain with a distinctive shape that strikingly resembles a giant panda lying across the mountaintop. This natural wonder amazes visitors entering or leaving the county and is a rare scenic spectacle. Locals call it “Panda Mountain.” Panda Mountain is located in Qinghe County…
Wulungu River National Wetland Park in Qinghe County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is located in Qinghe County and covers a total area of 13,590.3 hectares. In recent years, due to overgrazing and irrational use, the wetlands have severely shrunk and suffered ecological degradation. The disappearance and degradation of these wetlands have led to a continuous decline in their ecological barrier function, bringing about issues such as...
A national 2A-level scenic area. Located in the Xiaqinghe River Valley Forest Scenic Area, 8 kilometers southeast of Qinghe County, it is a major highlight of the county’s forest tourism resources. The scenic area consists of two parts: the Xiaqinghe Plain River Valley Forest and the Birch Forest, situated alongside the main traffic artery, S228. The planned area of the Xiaqinghe Plain River Valley Forest Scenic Area is...
The Fuhai Seaside in Altay, also known as Ulungur Lake, is located on the northwestern edge of the Junggar Basin. It is divided into two parts: the Big Lake (Dahuzi) and the Small Lake (Xiaohuzi), with the Big Lake being a saltwater lake and the Small Lake (Jililake) a freshwater lake. A provincial highway runs between the two lakes. On the eastern shore of the Big Lake, near the highway, there is a stretch of fine, white sandy beach about ten kilometers long…
The Kalameili Mountain range is a low, east-west oriented mountain chain. With its complex landforms, rich vegetation, abundant water sources, and sparse human presence, it forms an ideal "paradise" for wildlife to thrive. Established in April 1982, the reserve spans a total area of 17,000 square kilometers. Nationally protected rare animals here include the Mongolian...
The Tangba Lake Scenic Area is a national 2A-level tourist attraction, located in the middle reaches of the Kran River, 30 kilometers southwest of Altay City. With an average depth of 11 meters and a water surface area of 15 square kilometers, it is a relatively young lake. For centuries, nomadic herders passing through have often carved various marks on stones to record their lives and grazing activities. Over the years, these layered carvings accumulate so that from a distance, the inscriptions on the stone resemble a giant seal—hence the name Tangba Lake. “Tangbale” means “seal” in the Kazakh language.
The Dadonggou and Xiaodonggou Forest Scenic Area is a national 2A-level tourist attraction and a photography creation base for regional photographers. It is a naturally formed forest scenic area located in the upper valley of the Kran River in the northern part of Altay City, approximately 11 kilometers from the city center. Nestled against green mountains and beside clear waters, the area features winding streams encircling the hills, hanging rocks, sheer cliffs, and drifting mist. In the early Yuan Dynasty, Yelü...
Guide: The distance from the entrance of Ulasgou to the waterfall is about 16–17 kilometers. Half of the road is dirt, suitable for driving a 212 off-road vehicle, while the other half can only be traveled by horseback or on foot. Description: The Ulasgou valley is narrow, with steep rocks on both sides. The valley floor is covered with weathered fallen rocks, overgrown with wild grass, and shaded by towering trees,…
The Red Stone Scenic Area is a national 2A-level tourist attraction, located on the banks of the Kran River within the State-owned First Ranch in Altay City. It lies 8 kilometers from the city center, stretches approximately 2.56 kilometers from north to south, and about 0.21 to 0.65 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 1,650 mu with an altitude of 700 meters. It is a scenic destination known for its landscapes featuring mountains, rivers, forests, and pastoral views...
The Camel Hump Scenic Area is a national 2A-level tourist attraction, located in the city center by the Kran River. With a vertical height of 150 meters, the mountain face facing the river is majestic, steep, and precipitous. Climbing to the summit offers a panoramic view of Altay City’s landscape, making it a great destination for hiking, mountaineering, and adventure tourism. Speaking of Camel Peak, as long as you choose the right viewing angle...
Jinshan Forest Park in Altay City, a national 3A-level tourist attraction and a national agricultural tourism demonstration site, is just 1 kilometer away from the bustling city center. The park covers an area of 1,800 acres, featuring undulating terrain with elevations ranging from 890 to 970 meters and a natural elevation difference of 80 meters. A branch of the Kran River, the Ulash Gully Canal, flows through the park,...
The Jinshan Grape Garden Scenic Area is located 1 kilometer southwest of Altay City, covering a total area of over 2,500 acres. It is a comprehensive, high-end ecological tourism destination that combines local folk customs with sightseeing, tourism, planting, breeding, and leisure vacationing. In 2005, it was rated as a National AAA-level scenic spot and a “...
Introduction to Xiyu Ski Resort Xiyu Ski Resort is a 3S-level ski resort in the autonomous region. It is located within the jurisdiction of La Si Township in the northern part of Altay City, just 5 kilometers from downtown Altay, offering convenient transportation. Officially opened on December 28, 2007, the resort currently features a 150-meter snow tubing track, a 350-meter beginner ski slope…
Jianguo Mountain Ski Resort in Altay City The Jianguo Mountain Ski Resort is planned to be rated as a 4S-level ski resort within the autonomous region. Located on the front slope area of Jianguo Mountain in Altay City and connected to the urban area, it is the only one of its kind in China and one of the few in the world located within a city. It boasts numerous advantages, including favorable mountain terrain, a long effective snow season, suitable temperatures, and minimal wind. The Jianguo Mountain Ski Resort is being developed in three phases…