Arctic grayling from Beitun is a specialty of Beitun City in the Altay region of Xinjiang. The fish has firm flesh, a delicious taste, high nutritional value, and a large edible portion, making it very popular among people. Arctic grayling from Beitun is a nationally protected geographical indication agricultural product. Beitun is located between Altay City and Fuhai County in northern Xinjiang, situated within the world-renowned...
Fuhai County Big-Tail Sheep, also known as Altay Sheep, gets its name from the fact that both its place of origin and its breeding base are located at the Fuhai Breeding Sheep Farm, and because of its exceptionally large, combined tail and rump. It is the main breed of sheep raised in the Altay region. Historical records such as the New Book of Tang from over 1,000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty mention: “The Western Regions produce big-tail sheep,…”
Beetroot Cultivation Fuhai County began cultivating beetroot in the 1990s and established the Fuhai Sugar Factory. After the factory went bankrupt, a new shareholding private enterprise, Sanhe Food Co., Ltd., was formed in 2001. The establishment of the company boosted local farmers' and herders' enthusiasm for growing beetroot. In the Altay region alone, nearly 3,000 farming households were encouraged to plant beetroot…
The cultivation of pollution-free edible sunflowers in Fuhai County benefits from its uniquely favorable conditions of light, heat, water, and soil. The county has over 350,000 mu of arable land, enjoys natural advantages, is free from pollution, and is traversed by Provincial Highway 318, ensuring convenient transportation. It is one of the best regions for developing specialty cash crops. In recent years, farmers and herders in Fuhai County have shown…
Goji Berry Cultivation In 1991, Fuhai County introduced goji berry cultivation techniques from Jinghe and began growing goji berries. In 1997, in order to adjust the industrial structure and develop specialty industries, the county and township Party committees and governments, guided by market demand and adapted to local conditions, actively introduced preferential policies. They strongly encouraged farmers and herders to rely on science and technology to develop goji berry cultivation...
Fuhai County currently has over 350,000 mu of arable land, abundant light, heat, and water resources, and is traversed by Provincial Highway 318, offering convenient transportation. It is one of the best regions for developing specialty cash crops. In recent years, the market for fighting melons has been promising, and farmers and herders in Fuhai County have shown great enthusiasm for growing them. They possess high-level cultivation techniques and rich...
The 182nd Regiment of the Tenth Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is a comprehensive farming and animal husbandry regiment established in 1960. It is located on the northern edge of the Junggar Basin and features a continental climate with abundant light and heat resources, low precipitation, high evaporation, and no industrial “three wastes” pollution, making it highly suitable for the growth and development of edible sunflowers. After over 50 years of...
Jimunai Spring Wheat is a specialty of Jimunai County in the Altay region of Xinjiang. The county has been designated by the Autonomous Region Department of Agriculture as a production base for high-quality, pollution-free spring wheat. Jimunai benefits from abundant land, light, and thermal resources, enjoys long hours of sunlight, and possesses fertile soil, making it a major producer of spring wheat and the breadbasket of the Altay region. The county has 880,000 mu of arable land available for cultivation, of which…
Habahe County in Altay Prefecture is located on the southern foothills of the Altay Mountains and in the middle reaches of the Irtysh River Valley. The terrain is flat, the groundwater level is high, the water quality is good, and irrigation is convenient. It is a natural distribution area for Central Asian sea buckthorn and Mongolian sea buckthorn in China. The locally produced sea buckthorn is known for its excellent quality and high oil content. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Forestry and the Sea Buckthorn Research Center of the Ministry of Water Resources...
Pilaf is a widely loved dish among the various ethnic groups in Xinjiang, known as "polo" in the Uyghur language. The preparation involves first stir-frying onions, carrot strips, and lamb chunks in oil, then adding washed rice and water to steam. Pilaf is highly nutritious and has health-enhancing benefits, making it one of the essential festive and guest-receiving foods for the Uyghur people. Originally...
Introduction to Grape Snow Chicken: Snack preparation: (1) Clean the hunted or farmed snow chicken, remove the meat, and boil it in water until it is 70% cooked, then remove it. (2) In a pan, add snow chicken broth along with salt, scallions, ginger, grape juice, and cooking wine. Then cut the boiled snow chicken into strips that are 1.5 cm wide, 5 cm long, and 1–1.5 cm thick...
Altay Big-Tail Sheep, a specialty of Fuyun County: Among the many local specialties in Fuyun County, the Altay Big-Tail Sheep, known as the “Thousand-Mile Sheep,” is as renowned as gold and gemstones. The Altay Big-Tail Sheep migrates 500 to 800 kilometers each year through breathtaking landscapes rich in water and lush grass, absorbing the essence of nature. It is the sheep with the longest migratory route in the world. Fuyun County is the birthplace of the Altay Big-Tail Sheep. Over centuries, Kazakh herders have carefully bred this breed from the Kazakh sheep. After the liberation, local scientists in Fuyun County further refined and strengthened the breed. In 1958, the Altay Big-Tail Sheep was officially recognized by the People's Government of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region as an outstanding local sheep breed. The Altay Big-Tail Sheep primarily live a nomadic life, grazing in pristine natural pastures far from urban areas, where the land is abundant in water and diverse vegetation. These grasslands host over 1,500 types of plants. The sheep can feed on Cordyceps, ginseng, angelica, mushrooms, wood ear fungus, fritillaria, and ephedra, which not only contribute to the exceptionally delicious taste of their meat but also enrich it with vitamins and trace elements, giving it nourishing and medicinal properties. Fuyun County is the source of the Irtysh River and is dotted with springs. Moreover, the Altay region is famed for its gold production, with a saying that “there are seventy-two valleys, and every valley has gold.” As a result, the Altay Big-Tail Sheep is praised as a sheep that “eats herbal medicine, drinks mineral water, and walks golden paths.” The meat of the Altay Big-Tail Sheep is premium quality—rich yet not greasy, aromatic without being gamey, high in protein, low in cholesterol, and firm in texture. It is the top choice for making hand-grabbed lamb, pilaf, or whole roasted lamb. Locals especially enjoy serving it to guests, forming a unique dietary culture of the Altay region.
Fish species in Ulungur Lake
Gem-quality rose beryl Qinghe County is a concentrated distribution area of granite pegmatites in the Altai Mountains. In addition to rare metal minerals such as beryllium, lithium, tantalum, and niobium, this region also produces beryl-type gemstones. In October 2003, a rose-colored gem-quality beryl was mined from a miarolitic cavity within a granite pegmatite vein in the area. It has a complete crystal form,...
The Ferula Mushroom, also known as Ferula Mushroom Ear (Fernle Mushroom), belongs to the Pleurotaceae family. Its fruiting body grows singly, with a cap diameter of 5–15 cm. Initially convex and hemispherical, it gradually flattens, eventually becoming slightly concave near the base. The surface features cracked patterns and remains white throughout, with a relatively thick texture. The gills run down the stem, are moderately dense, and pale yellow in color...
Stones from the Kelan River in Altay, many of which feature diverse and peculiar shapes, possess high artistic and ornamental value. Each stone seems to be endowed with life, telling the story of Altay, making them excellent souvenirs for travelers. …
The stone figures of the Altai Mountains are mysterious relics on the Western Regions' grasslands. Having endured for thousands of years, they remain strikingly lifelike. Their carving techniques are rustic, realistic, and vividly expressive, embodying the ethnic character and martial spirit of the grassland inhabitants. These stone figures served as talismans for nomadic peoples to ward off disasters, dispel evil, and seek blessings from their ancestors. Carefully selected hard stones from the Irtysh River were meticulously carved...
The Kazakh Horse is an ancient local breed suitable for both riding and draft work. It has a medium build, sturdy physique, and is tolerant of coarse feed, making it well-adapted to the arid and cold continental climate. It features a short and strong midsection, and excels in carrying loads, riding, and general-purpose use. Stallions average 138 cm in height, 143 cm in length, and weigh 380 kg. They also possess good…
Altay Big Fruit Sea Buckthorn, named after its origin in the famous alluvial plains at the foothills of the Altai Mountains and along the river valleys, is distinguished by its superior quality, diverse varieties, unique and varied flavors, large fruit size, high yield, rapid growth, ease of harvesting, and high economic returns. It also boasts extensive potential for culinary, cosmetic, and medicinal development...
Altay Pike Perch The administrative regions of six cities and counties currently under the jurisdiction of Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: Altay City, Fuhai County, Fuyun County, Hoboksar Mongolian Autonomous County, Burqin County, and Qinghe County. "Letter from the People's Government of Altay Prefecture on Delimiting the Origin Range of the Geographical Indication Product Altay Pike Perch (Qiaote)," Altay Prefecture Letter...