The Wilderness on the Ridge-Kalajun Prairie Guide

1. Entrance to Kalajun Prairie Scenic Area

Dear tourists and friends, hello everyone! Next we are going to visit the Kalajun Prairie.

Kalajun Grassland is located in Tekes County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. Its altitude is between 2000-3600 meters. It is an alpine meadow. It is about 25 kilometers wide from north to south and more than 40 kilometers long from east to west. The total area is more than 1,000 square kilometers. It is a national 5A-level scenic spot and has been awarded the title of "World Natural Heritage Site". "Kalajun" is Kazakh, meaning "wilderness on the ridge". Kalajun Mountain is a mountain range stretching from east to west. It is flanked by mountains with dense ravines. The mountains are undulating and dense virgin spruce forests grow there. Because of abundant precipitation, cool climate and fertile soil, it is very suitable for the growth of pasture. From mid-June to mid-September every year, it is the golden season of Kalajun Grassland. The grass on the top of the mountain is luxuriant and the flowers are in bloom, like a stretched blue carpet, spreading all the way to the foot of the snow-capped mountains, so this place is also called the "Five Flower Meadow".

Experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations made a special trip to inspect it and were fascinated by it, praising it as "a rare natural high-quality alpine prairie in the world." The colorful sea of ??flowers, the white yurts dotted between them, the flocks of sheep scattered on the green carpet, the dark green virgin forest, and the deep grand canyon will definitely allow us to feast our eyes and experience the grassland style of the Western Regions.

Now please follow me into the scenic spot and swim between heaven and earth on the prairie.

2. Shiquan Observation Deck

Dear friends, we are walking along this stone staircase. The three yurts we see in the distance are Alxa Hot Spring. . "Alxa" is Kazakh, and "Alxa" is Mongolian, both of which mean "fairy water" that can cure diseases. Alxa Hot Spring is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has an elegant environment. It is a health resort. According to measurements, the water temperature of Alxa Hot Spring is between 40-50°C, and the spring water contains a variety of minerals. Summer is the best season for hot spring baths. There is an endless stream of people coming here to bathe and recuperate.

Everyone can go and experience the miraculous effects of the "divine spring fairy water" later, and let our souls fly on the prairie!

3. Slide

Now we see the "Colorful Slide". In this vast world, sliding down this colorful slope, the colors change in front of our eyes, and the white clouds fly around us, instantly allowing us to enjoy the visual impact and dynamic stimulation. This place can not only make us feel physically and mentally comfortable, but also relieve visual and mental fatigue. Let's "experience it together and take away the beautiful scenery!" Tourists who want to visit must pay attention to safety.

4. Scenery of Kalajun Prairie

Right in front of you is the Kalajun Prairie. This is the area with the richest biodiversity and the highest aesthetic value in the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. Everyone looks at the snowy peaks and canyons in the distance, the forests and grasslands, the blue sky and white clouds. The flowers are blooming in front of us, and the horses are galloping and the sheep are foraging. Let us close our eyes and take a deep breath to feel the freshness of the grassland air. , the softness of the wind. What an unparalleled art picture! Such a beautiful gift from nature!

The entire grassland has an altitude of 1305 to 3957 meters. It has a cold temperate continental climate. Because it is backed by the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, there is a lot of precipitation in spring and summer, making it cool and comfortable. Winter is relatively warm and dry, with an average annual temperature of 6- 9. Extremely suitable for the growth of animals and plants. The scenic area integrates forests, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, canyons, rivers, lakes and other natural landscapes, which collectively represent the natural aesthetic value of Xinjiang Tianshan.

This is also a typical summer pasture with lush water and grass, which is very suitable for livestock to catch fat. Every summer, more than 300,000 livestock spend the summer here, growing fat and strong. The prairie has become a holy land in the hearts of herdsmen, nourishing herds of cattle and sheep, and is a treasured land of prosperity. Everyone looks at the horses walking on the peak line in the distance. It really deserves the title of "three-dimensional grassland".

5. Flower Terrace Wooden Plank Road

The road we are taking now is the Flower Terrace Wooden Plank Road, where we can enjoy the five-flower meadow. The long plank road seems to lead to the end of the grassland, like a bridge between the soul and the sky, and the mind is broad. Come with me, everyone, let us walk on the grassland, get close to the grassland, integrate into the grassland, feel the vastness of the grassland, and feel the holiness of heaven and earth!

6. Flower Terrace

This is the best flower viewing spot in the grassland. After getting off the bus, there is a wooden plank road that you can climb up. Above is an endless sea of ??flowers. You must climb up. , the scenery is very beautiful, it will make our eyes light up!

Watch the flowers bloom, let the clouds roll and relax; watch the sunset and the herds return, and the whole sky will be the same color. Look, everyone, the flowers are blooming on the grassland, and they are at the peak of their appearance. Under the blue sky are vast grasslands, with towering snow peaks in the distance and colorful flowers nearby, it's like heaven on earth.

Every year in mid-May, various wild flowers on the grassland begin to compete in beauty; in summer, the greenery and blooming flowers can make you open your heart; in autumn, the golden eyes can also make you happy Crazy.

7. Wuhua Meadow

The place where we are standing now is Wuhua Meadow. This is a typical "alpine five-flower meadow" grassland in Kalajun. It is a high platform landform that slopes to the south, like a suspended pasture. The slopes are gentle and boundless, like a wonderful blue carpet that stretches all the way to the ice and snow. At the foot of the capped Tianshan Mountains.

The soil here is deep, fertile, with suitable temperature, abundant rainfall, good pasture growth, and a large number of xerophytic plants. It produces 105 kinds of high-quality forage, which grows densely and low. From April to May, the grass is green and the earth is covered with a green carpet; from June to July, the flowers are in full bloom, and the grassland is a sea of ??flowers; from August to October, the autumn grass turns yellow and the irrigation The clumps of red trees, the gentle hills, and the golden edges all show the beauty of the five-flower grassland.

8. Racecourse

Look, everyone, thousands of horses are galloping, the wind is fast, and the momentum is magnificent. There is a racecourse. Horse racing is the most popular form of entertainment on the Kalajun grassland. Here you can not only enjoy the natural scenery and reminisce about ancient history, but also enjoy the games here. Horse racing competitions are often held here, and the contestants are all very young local children. Every time there is a horse race, many tourists come to watch. These young contestants, all of whom look like eleven or twelve years old, have red faces and a... Childish. As soon as the whistle of the horse racing sounds, these children immediately become lively and energetic, galloping wildly. Only then can we understand what a nation on horseback is.

After everyone enjoys the scenery of the grassland and watches the game, they can also go to the Kazakh yurt to taste milk tea and eat delicious mutton. The mutton here is stewed directly in water without any seasonings. It is placed directly on the plate and eaten directly with salt or pepper. Although it is stewed, it has a delicate texture, rich aroma and unique flavor.

9. Falcon Terrace Observation Deck

We are now at Falcon Terrace. This is the traditional place for Kazakh falconry. The altitude here is about 2,600 meters. You can see the snow-capped mountains and canyons in the distance, and you can even see eagles soaring. Kazakh falconers are known as the last falconers in the world. They are good at using various raptors to hunt wild beasts and birds, such as using male eagles (golden eagles) to hunt wolves and foxes, and using medium-sized raptors such as peregrine falcons and goshawks to hunt swans and pheasants. . This hunting skill is passed down from one generation to the next, and many local residents still possess this hunting skill.

Everyone looks this way. The canyon in front is the Kurdai Forest Canyon. It originates from the middle of the Tianshan Mountains and has a total length of more than 50 kilometers. The height difference between the two ends of the canyon is more than 2,300 meters, and the average valley depth is about 350 meters. Yumi, in the shape of "ji", runs through the entire Kalajun tourist area from southeast to northwest. Entering the Grand Canyon, there are high mountains and steep cliffs on both sides, undulating peaks, snow-covered spruce trees, and the Kurdai River flowing endlessly all year round, flowing into the Kalajun Lake. The upper section of the canyon is covered by layers of snow-covered spruce. As the altitude decreases, the lower section is home to many dense-leaf poplars, Tianshan birches, walnuts, wild apricots, and cherry plums. From spring to early autumn, the canyon is covered with green clouds and lush. In late September, the leaves of dense-leaf poplar, Tianshan birch and other plants begin to gradually turn yellow, while wild apricot trees, small shrubs and other plants begin to gradually turn red. By October, the red leaves in the canyon are like fire and the yellow leaves are like gold, dazzling and eye-catching. People deeply feel the tranquility and remoteness of existing with nature.

10. The third-level planation plane viewing spot

We are now at the third-level planation plane viewing spot. What is a planing surface? It is a special geographical landscape, mainly produced by erosion and flattening. It crosses all the strata and structures that precede it in age in the form of a cross-section. It is the result of the uplift, destruction or burial of the ultimate product of the long-term development of the landform. . The north and south slopes of Tianshan Mountain extend widely and spread out in the east-west direction to form three-level planation planes. The first-level planation planes are steps and viewing platforms. Looking from a distance, the dark green snow-covered spruce belts and green grassland mosaics on the flattened surfaces on both sides of the Kurdai Forest Grand Canyon are intertwined, forming a rich and diverse "Pied Forest" belt that extends from east to west for hundreds of kilometers. , the grassland is rolling, the slopes are covered with flowers and grass, the grassland and the forest blend together, the snow peaks and the river valley shine, the scenery is extremely spectacular.

Tourists, today’s tour ends here. On this endless prairie, you can enjoy the white clouds, see the scenery of wind-blown grass and cows and sheep, and overlook the dangerous and narrow landscape. In the Kuoke Grand Canyon, you can view the mysterious snow-capped Tianshan Mountains from a distance, hear legendary stories from the distant country of Uzbekistan, and enjoy Kazakh horse racing, wrestling, etc. I believe that when everyone comes to this paradise on earth, they will forget all the troubles of the world and find a different style here.

Thank you all!