[Photo from lyj.alt.gov.cn]

Birch Park, a national 3A scenic area in Altay (recognized in 2004), is located where the Senior Kelan River and Junior Kelan River meet. It can be directly reached by bus No 101.

The park situates itself at an altitude of about 910 meters within a valley, stretching 2,140 meters in length from north to south and ranging from 180 to 400 meters in width from east to west. Made up of six islands, which are separated by the river, the park covers an area of 1.5 square kilometers. Birches are the most common trees in the park; poplars are second. It is a secondary forest because the Ashan Insurgence of the 1940s ruined almost all the plants in the park.

Birch Park was originally named Presidential Island, probably because many Ashan officers, including Zhou Wuxue, Zhang Mingyuan, Wei Zhenguo and Alifuhan, have come here to beat the summer heat. Stepping into the park, one is immediately greeted with a 2.6-meter-high, 56-meter-wide giant carved wall made of copper. This wall, which is named the Light of Altay, is known as the “Best Wall of Xinjiang.” The fifty-odd figures depicted in 16 carved pictures reflect Altay unification between soldiers and the people, between different nationalities, and between the army and local government. Yurts and huts can be seen everywhere, and the yurt in the center of the park is recognized as China’s “Best Yurt.” Among the grassland are scattered stone-carvings of men that face the east. The meteorite placed within Birch Park is so rich in iron that it sounds like metal when tapped. Also, Birch Park is a shooting base for photographers from autonomous regions, officially recognized by the Autonomous Photographers’ Association. The park is a perfect shooting site that won’t disappoint.

When winter comes, Birch Park turns into a big snow-carving amusement park, where people can appreciate the snow-covered park, throw snow on one another and make snow carvings by themselves.

Come and visit Birch Park, and you will be greeted with unique, appealing natural beauty.