Altay Travel Complete Guide
Altay four-season activities: In summer, visit Koktokay and the pastures; in autumn, the birch forest with golden leaves; in winter, Kanas Hemu snow village and wild snow. Transportation and seasonal windows are explained in one article.
Summer
The geological line of Koktokay plus the Irtysh Grand Canyon are the main attractions. The Shenzhong Mountain Trail takes about three hours round-trip; the pastures transition in June and early September, and along the way, you can see flocks of sheep crossing the road.
Golden Autumn
Around September 20, the birch forests turn golden, with a viewing window of about ten days: Koktokay Canyon, Birch Forest Park, and Ulungur Lake reeds are the three main spots.
Winter
Altay is one of the birthplaces of human skiing: General Mountain and Koktokay are the two major ski resorts with long snow seasons and thick powder; Hemu Snow Village and Ulungur Lake Winter Fishing (January) are the two main experiential highlights.
Transportation
Altay Airport connects Urumqi and many inland cities; in winter, drive cautiously, and hire a driver-guide familiar with snowy roads. The travel time between scenic spots is long, so don't pack the itinerary tightly.