[Photo from lyj.alt.gov.cn]

Altay’s Five-Finger-Shaped Spring (Wuzhiquan) got its name from its appearance. At the west side of the river in Handegate Township, there is a spring above which sits a giant rock. The rock, which stretches over 3 meters toward the east, looks as if it is gazing up at the distant sky. On the rock one can see a large, properly-shaped left hand with clear palm lines — a wonderful work of nature as if made with exquisite workmanship. Like a glistening blue diamond, Fingertip Spring is located on the undulating Altay Mountain, shining with inviting beauty.

Water from Fingertip Spring seeps from rock fissures continuously even in cold winter. Where spring water flows, moss and grass can survive even in the driest seasons. Fingertip Spring is considered a gift from god for the religious Mongolians. It attracts visitors and prayers all year. The spring water here boasts over 20 trace essential elements that humans need, such as potassium, sodium and calcium, which have both medical value and health-maintaining effects. The water tastes mildly sweet and is crystal clear in color. According to the local people, spring water here is good for patients with arthritis or skin diseases. Drinking the spring will bring benefits to the lungs.

Near Fingertip Spring is a gully featuring large rocks in various interesting shapes, Unique Rock Gully. Some rocks look like eagles gazing into the distance at the mountain top. Some look like the wide and flat beds of fairies. It is especially amazing to see the attraction known as the Knife-Cut Rocks on the left bank of the river, which look as if they were neatly cut by knives. Legend has it that the Craning Rocks were kicked to the earth by Sun Wukong (the Monkey King, the main character in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West) when he wreaked havoc in the heavens.

On the way to Fingertip Spring are two major Autonomous Cultural Heritage Conservation Sites: Dulate Rock Painting and Caoerhei Rock Painting. A rock painting at Dundebulake Rock shelter gives evidence that skiing originated in Altay. In the scenic area, a variety of activities are held annually. The Aobao Festival and Local Culture Festival are held here every year between May and June. Mongolian bonfire parties with Mongolian performance cabarets take place between May and September. Legends about Fingertip Spring are too many to count. They are so numerous that even the local people get confused. One popular story is that a Mongolian Khan who accomplished national unification with his intelligence and bravery sought to commemorate his achievements by printing the shape of his left hand on the giant rock nearby the camp. He announced, “Now the world is in my hands.” While some others believe that there was once a Junggar hero named Sharot Cobban, who had his wound healed and strength regained with the help of the spring water. He felt so excited that he struck his hand on the giant rock, thus leaving the shape of a hand.