Altay Prefecture Introduction

City Introduction

Altay Prefecture is located in northern Xinjiang, with an area of 117,800 square kilometers, a population of 660,000 and hosting multiple ethnic groups with Kazakh as the majority. Bordering Altay Mountains in the north, Junggar Basin in the south, hosting the Irtysh River, the Ulungur River, the Kanas Lake, the Ulungur Lake and the Sandaohaizi Lake, Altay Prefecture is extremely rich in tourism resources. With alpine glaciers, forests and grasslands, rivers and lakes, hot springs and wetlands, and deserts are attractive and elegant, characterized by profound and meaningful rhymes and beauty. Centering on Altay Mountains, the natural scenery with rich morphologies, different styles, strange and unique views, the thousands of miles scenery belt is dotted from east to west with grassland mystery Sandaohaizi Lake, geological wonder Koktokay National Geo-park, bright and attractive Red-leaved Ditch, health and sports center Alxa, prairie resort Yet Otkili, summer resort Kiran Grand Canyon, fashion fitness Jiangjun Mountains Ski Resort, Buddha and Crane Tolhot, human childhood Hemu, Pure Land Kanas, herdsmen paradise Narin, autumn intoxicating Bahba and other high quality tourist attractions, and adjacent to dreamy castle Colorful Bay, desert Wuhai Ulungu Lake, stunning Jadan Colorful Beach, graceful birch forests, desert eye White Sand Lake, attractive natural prairie Stone City, Jurassic Park Jla Grand Canyon and other high quality tourist attractions. Altay ice and snow resources are rare in the country, an origin of skiing, known as China’s most beautiful snow town. Altay Prefecture is hence rated as Thousands of Miles Gallery and paradise.

Altay Thousands of Miles Gallery is characterized by natural scenery and rich cultural resources. Altay Grassland is dotted with historic nomadic cultural sites, rock engraving paintings, and deer stone obomounds, stone men ruins and other historical and cultural relics, serving as colorful and eternal idylls and rock engraving paintings serving as eternal romantic prairie elegance. Its folk culture is charming and fascinating. The north-south transition caravans still reflect the romantic style of Kazak people. Huts in forests highlight magic charm of Mongolian Tuvans, Koktokay No.3 Mine is a geological wonder in the world, a pride of the People’s Republic of China. The principles of “sharing concerns with the country, self-reliance, hard work, and scientific innovation” are the most profound cultural connotations of tour of revolution in Xinjiang.

Altay Prefecture borders Mongolia in the east with Altay Mountains, Russian Federation in the north and Kazakhstan in the west, hosting 4 national first-category land ports. With transport facilities, sound ecology, and exotic elegance, it is suitable to the development of high-quality international cross-border tourism products.

This is a glamorous land with unique natural scenery, mysterious nomadic culture, profound folk customs, hospitable people. Entering Altay, visitors will feel it is extremely late to come.

(Image source: lyj.xjalt.gov.cn)

History

Since the Han Dynasty, Altay Prefecture has been a part of China. In 1919, this area was merged into Xinjiang, China. In 1954, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture was established and this area was included. In 1979, the prefectural administrative office of Altay Prefecture was established.

Natural Environment

Altay Prefecture is located in Northern Xinjiang, south of Altai Mountain. It borders Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. It covers an area of 171,000 km², about 7% of Xinjiang. In the south is Junggar Basin. The terrain slopes downwards from north to south.

Climate

Altay has a cold temperate continental climate. Annual average temperature is -0.2℃—4.3℃ and annual average rainfall is about 160 mm. Non-frost period is 103-158 days. Winters are long, bitterly cold, and dry. Spring and autumn are short but mild. This is one of the coldest places in China.

Holidays

The same as the statutory holidays in China

New Year's Day: January 1st - January 3rd

Spring Festival: February 7th - February 13th

Tomb-sweeping Day: April 2nd - April 4th

Labor Day: April 30th - May 2nd

Dragon Boat Festival: June 9th - June 11th

Mid-Autumn Festival: September 15th - September 17th

National Day: October 1st - October 7th