Artux Grand Canyon

　　Artux Grand Canyon is situated in Tugumaiti Township, Artux City, 38 kilometers from the city center. Originally named "Jiayipaqimu" in Uyghur, where "Jiayi" means a place inhabited by people and "Paqimu" refers to a once highly respected Uyghur woman. She was a devoted follower of the third Khan of the Karakhanid Dynasty, Sulayman Shah, and followed him in battle. After their defeat, she fled to this area and later died and was buried here. To commemorate her, the place was named after her. Legend has it that Artux Grand Canyon was the site of a pivotal battle where Sulayman Shah turned defeat into victory and seized power.

　　Many of the scenic features within the canyon are tied to the legend of Sulayman Shah. This beautiful and mystical canyon stretches approximately 6 kilometers in length, with a depth of 2.5 kilometers and varying widths between 3 to 5 meters. It is a naturally formed, north-south oriented valley. Nestled against mountains and water, the canyon showcases the pristine beauty of the highlands and the crystal-clear purity of springs. Here, deep valleys and serene gorges are dotted with peculiar rocks, under a blue sky and clear waters. The spring water is pristine, and the air is fresh. Tiny streams gather into small pools teeming with fish, while gray cranes soar above the water’s edge. Visitors will find themselves immersed in a breathtaking scene of sunlight filtering through the mountains, clear springs flowing over stones, snowy-white fish swimming near the bottom, and the reflections of unusual peaks mirrored in the water. The canyon is crisscrossed by mountain streams that twist and turn, rich in mineral water resources containing various minerals and trace elements beneficial to human health, making it an excellent water source for local herders. The area also features century-old willow and mulberry trees, some with trunks so large they can accommodate a person lying on them. There are also leisure spots designed for those who enjoy fishing in living water, as well as places to escape the summer heat and relax.

　　Upon entering the canyon, on a flat piece of land in the northwest surrounded by greenery, there are two low earthen huts. Their exact original use is uncertain, with various mysterious legends surrounding them, making it difficult to confirm their purpose. In front of the huts stand three ancient willow trees with intertwined roots, lying horizontally on the ground. It is said these trees are a thousand years old. Beside them is a clear spring, with a gentle stream flowing quietly toward the distance. To the north of the spring lies a robust, century-old mulberry tree. Beneath it rests an oval-shaped stone, resembling half a watermelon with a slightly reddish, pulp-like surface. These willows, the mulberry, and the stone melon all have their own enchanting legends.

　　Continuing upstream along the stream, on the shaded side of the western hillside, another spring emerges from the cliff wall. The spring opening is about 5–6 centimeters in diameter, and the crystal-clear water flows year-round without ever drying up. Opposite this spring, there is a small recessed pool carved into the cliff, about one meter in diameter, with water gushing from the bottom. Locals call it "Kuslehana," meaning a place for bathing. Some visitors even take off their shoes to wash their feet here before continuing barefoot deeper into the canyon.

　　Going further ahead, the valley narrows increasingly, with some sections so tight that only one person can pass through sideways. After passing through this narrow gorge, the view suddenly opens up to reveal an irregularly shaped massive rock lying at the bottom of the ravine. A slender stream flows over the rock, polishing it smooth and shiny. Beyond the rock, a short walk ahead rewards you with a breathtaking sight: towering peaks rise on all sides, the cliffs steep and sheer as if cleaved by an axe, and the sky above narrows to a thin slit, with slivers of sunlight pouring through. Among the scattered rocks on the ground lies a huge trough-like slab of stone, as if carved by hand, next to which stands a stone pillar over a meter tall, resembling a horse tethering post.

　　Circling around the stone trough and crawling forward, beneath a cliff on the western side, there is a cave about 3 meters in diameter, semi-circular in shape and roughly 3 meters high. From the cave ceiling, three streams of spring water drip gently, like three fine threads of rain, with the middle stream slightly thicker and the two side streams thinner. When a person stands in the cave, the middle stream drips right onto their head, while the side streams fall neatly onto their shoulders. This forms yet another natural shower-like bathing spot.

　　Climbing over several massive rocks, the terrain gradually rises. The cliffs on both sides are barren and sheer, and the ravine becomes even narrower, with some sections so tight that only one person can crawl through. Yet, after squeezing through this passage, a miraculously vast open area suddenly appears. Among the scattered rocks of this clearing are scattered wild poplar trees and patches of green grass — a true case of “lost in a mountain maze only to emerge upon a hidden village.” This hidden gem feels like a grand military parade ground or a general’s platform, yet also seems to conceal a mysterious palace. This mystical hideaway holds both the ever-changing wonders of nature and the moving legends of human history, waiting for people to explore and uncover.