Kalajun International Eco-Tourism Area

　　The Kalajun Pristine Grassland Scenic Area is situated 56 kilometers southeast of Bagua City, a national historical and cultural city, and 175 kilometers from Yining City. It is an important part of the Ili Prefecture tourism loop, stretching 89 kilometers from east to west and 32 kilometers from north to south, covering a total area of 2,848 square kilometers. The elevation ranges between 2,000 and 3,600 meters. To the south lies the Dagenbiel Mountain, while to the north are the snow-capped peaks of Hakel Mountain and the Qiongkushitai Grassland. The Kuerdai River Gorge meanders nearly 100 kilometers from east to west, forming a natural green barrier between the Kalajun Grassland and the Qiongkushitai Grassland. Kalajun serves as the summer pasture for Kazakh herders, growing 104 species of natural, high-quality forage grasses. It is a classic example of a “high-altitude alpine flower meadow,” hailed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as “a rare, naturally high-quality alpine grassland in the world.” Every spring and summer, hundreds of varieties of native grasses bloom in succession, displaying a vibrant array of colors, shapes, and fragrances, all set against the lush green carpet of the grassland, creating an even more magnificent spectacle. The rolling mountains of Kalajun present soft, distinct layers under the morning light and evening glow, bursting with a kaleidoscope of colors. Snow-capped mountains and spruce forests complement each other, resembling a grand, sweeping natural painting. At the edge of the grassland lies a steep natural gorge, densely forested within, with murmuring streams, rustling pines, and birdsong. In the distance, blue skies, white clouds, and snow-covered peaks form a sharp contrast with the vast, expansive, and beautiful grassland scenery, creating a magical accent to the landscape. Compared to other grasslands in the region, its scenery is truly unique. It is the best integrated tourist destination, combining grassland landscapes, ethnic culture, leisure activities, and hiking, and is also a cherished destination for photography, sightseeing, painting, and adventure enthusiasts.

　　All basic infrastructure in the scenic area meets the required standards. In 2009, it was designated as a Scenic Area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The area offers ethnic specialty cuisine and a variety of green, pollution-free vegetables and poultry raised and grown by local herders, with a daily reception capacity of about 400 visitors.