[Photo from lyj.alt.gov.cn]

Gold Mountain Forest Park, built in 1958 as a logistics base for the Altay forestry administration, sits near the front of Altay, only 1 kilometer away from the downtown area. In 1962, it was renamed Horticultural Garden, and in 1968, its name was changed again to Altay Horticultural Park.

With an undulating terrain, Gold Mountain Forest Park covers an area of 1,800 mu (120 hectares) at an altitude of 890 to 970 meters. Wulasigou Canal, a branch of the Kelan River, flows past the park, which enjoys abundant water resources to support plants. A few sites in the park have underground spring water trickling out all year. One of the springs has even formed a natural water area, which is now built into an artificial lake with an area of 11,486 square meters, attracting many visitors.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Gold Mountain Forest Park is a natural oxygen bar. After 50 years of effort, the park’s green coverage rate has reached 70 percent. Coated with plants and shadowed by trees, the park enjoys an agreeable climate and fresh air with plenty of negative oxygen ions. In this typically natural ecological scenic area, one sees the beauty of nature in every season. Spring brings blooming flowers and singing birds. Summer brings bubbling brooks and rustling trees among a vast greenness. Autumn coats the park in yellow and red and fills it with rich scents from fruits. When winter comes, mountains and valleys are covered with ice and snow, presenting spectacular polar sceneries. Winter here is as inviting as any other season of the year. All year round, the park can be a good place for tourists.

Facilities of the park include Gold Mountain Skiing Resort, Ecological Restaurant, a recreation center, swimming pools, campfire party areas and an artificial lake. Tourists can enjoy a sightseeing tour of roughly 10 items, such as a plant-appreciation area, rustic sceneries, Chenghua heritages and the Wild Animals Park. With a green coverage rate of over 70 percent, Gold Mountain Forest Park is a perfect holiday resort for anyone who is looking for an agreeable, refreshing and relaxing vacation.