Altay City, county-level city
Altay City is a county-level city in the far north of Xinjiang surrounded by tall mountains and vast open spaces. Located on the banks of the Kelan River, it displays a blend of modern buildings and older residential areas where people go about their daily activities along busy streets.
The city has a long history with different groups of people living here over many years, documented by ancient rock carvings found in nearby regions. These carvings even show early signs of skiing, making this a special place for those interested in the past.
Altay is a place where multiple ethnic groups share daily life, including Han Chinese, Kazakhs, Uyghurs, and Mongols. You can observe their traditions in colorful clothing, hear different languages spoken, and experience their culture in local markets and festivals that blend music, dance, and regional customs.
Getting to Altay requires some planning as you can travel by plane, bus, or train using small but functional stations and airports. The climate is cold most of the year with long, very cold winters and heavy snow, while summers are warm and dry with nearly all-day sunshine.
The Kelan River flows with fast and clear water in spring, sometimes causing slight floods that water nearby fields and serve as a natural irrigation system. This harmony between the river and local farming shows how people here have adapted to work with nature for generations.
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