City Introduction

Altay is located in the north of Xinjiang. It borders on Kazakhstan and Russia to the northwest, and on Mongolia to the northeast, with the border lines of 1,205 km, covering the total area of 117,988 square kilometers. It has a population of 640,000 people (2004), mainly consisting of Kazak, Han, Hui, Uygur and Mongolian nations, of which the ethnic minorities account for 56% and Kazak people make up nearly 50%. The local administration office is at No. 341 Jiefang Road Altay City. Either horse racing, lamb-taking and girl-chasing games, or exquisite embroidery, tapestries and fur products, are full of mysterious or exotic styles in the eyes of tourists. Delicious milk tea, steaming fingers-using meat and mellow Kumiss, make more people feel enthusiasm and generosity of the ethnic minorities.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

Altay is named from the Altai Mountains, and was once called Jinweishan or Jinshan. Altai is from Mongolian and Turkic language, which means "gold" for gold is generated from the mountains. In 1953, its name was changed into Artest County. In 1954, Asan prefecture was changed to be Altay prefecture; Artest County was then renamed Altay County falling under the Altay prefecture. After 1970, it belonged to the Altay region. On November 17, 1984, the State Council approved the revocation of Altay County and the establishment of Altay City.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, it lies north to the magnificent Altai, to the southwest of Shawuer Mountain, and to the south of Junggar Basin, with the open areas to the west, presenting a bell-shaped terrain. The topography of the whole area shows that the mountain chain is high in the West and lower in the East, but for hilly plains are high in th East and lower in the West, the layers step down from the north (Altai ridgeline) to the south (hilly plains), with obviously stepped terrain features. The valley areas is marked with fertile land, easy water reach, trees and grass growing together and lush pasture. It’s a "breadbasket" and a nice grass-harvesting meadow in the Altay region, and is also a good winter pasture. Fixed and semi-fixed dunes: The southern part of Altay region is part of Gurbantonggut Desert, and is rich in water resources, with a diversity of mineral species.

 

 

 

 

Climate

It enjoys a temperate continental climate.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

Best visiting months for travelers: from June to October

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

RMB

 

 

 

 

Religion

The local people mainly believe in Islam.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

26 Tuanjie Road, Altay City, Xinjiang Altay Tourism Bureau

Contact Tel.: 0906 - 2133660 Fax: 0906 - 2134117

 

 

 

 

Notes

The ethnic group living in the Altay region is mainly Kazakh, and they have some national taboos, which we must understand and respect. When you are a guest in a Kazakh house, please be aware that: When the master is cooking a meal, do not move any tableware, or even not to fiddle with food by hand or lift a pot cover. If the master cuts a piece of meat for you to eat, or give you some bedding for you to stay for a night, you must not refuse them but instead should accept them happily, otherwise the master will think you look down on him. Don’t speak highly of the host family's livestock and hounds in the presence of the master. Don’t count the number of people by hand or with a stick, otherwise they will think you treat them as livestock. Generally don’t spend more than two days being a guest in a Kazak house.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Zoulu Festival, also known as ""Winter Festival"", is a unique festival for Tuvas living near Kanas Lake.

Aobo Festival is a Mongolian festival with a long history, and the Mongols often gather together to celebrate this festival every July and August.