Keketuohai Scenic District

The Keketohai Scenic Area is located on the northeast side of Fuyun County in the Altay region of northern Xinjiang, and is an important attraction that general tourists visit on the Kanas loop route in northern Xinjiang. The scenic area features deep canyons, clear and transparent rivers, and steep and beautiful mountains, with a very beautiful environment. Between the canyons, there are also large areas of birch, poplar, and pine forests, making it suitable for visiting in autumn, when the leaves are golden and brilliant, and the mountain peaks behind the forest begin to accumulate snow, resembling beautiful snow-capped mountains. The mountains, forests, and rivers complement each other, making it an excellent choice for autumn photography.

In a broad sense, the scenic area refers to a large area near Keketohai Town, which includes four parts: Kokosuli Lake, Iremu Lake, Kalasenger Earthquake Fault Zone, and Irtysh Grand Canyon. Among them, Kokosuli Lake, Iremu Lake, and the Kalasenger Earthquake Fault Zone are all on the way to the Grand Canyon. These places are not developed attractions and are open for free viewing; visitors can simply take a look when heading to the Grand Canyon. The Irtysh Grand Canyon is the main scenic area of the entire Keketohai Scenic Area, which is what general tourists refer to as the Keketohai Scenic Area.

The Keketohai Scenic Area (i.e., the Irtysh Grand Canyon Scenic Area) is the source of the Irtysh River, a famous river in northern Xinjiang. The scenic area is about twenty kilometers long and includes more than a dozen attractions such as birch forests, Shuimogou, Shenzhong Mountain, and hot springs, all located along the Irtysh River. There is a shuttle bus service within the scenic area, with round-trip tickets from the scenic area gate to Shenzhong Mountain (17 kilometers one way). The shuttle bus operates like a public bus, stopping at several points along the way. Tourists can get off to visit nearby attractions and then wait for the next bus. From Shenzhong Mountain, it is another 6.5 kilometers to the hot springs deep in the canyon, which requires hiking. If physical strength is insufficient, visitors can also take a scenic patrol car.

Key attractions from the scenic area gate to Shenzhong Mountain include the White Birch Forest, Shuimogou, Hongyegou (Red Leaf Valley), and Shenzhong Mountain. Along the way, there are also many strange peaks and rocks, and the Irtysh River in the middle is clear and magnificent, making it a great place to explore.

The White Birch Forest not far from the scenic area entrance and Hongyegou near the Shimen parking lot are both very suitable for autumn viewing. The leaves, either golden or fiery red, are very brilliant. In autumn, the mountain peaks behind the forest also begin to accumulate snow, resembling beautiful snow-capped mountains. At this time, the leaves, rivers, and snow-capped mountains complement each other, making it a great time for taking stunning photos.

The area near Shuimogou is suitable for visiting in summer. A short walk west leads to an open grassland, where wildflowers bloom beautifully every summer, hence this area is also known as Baihua Grassland (Hundred Flowers Grassland). Shenzhong Mountain is a granite peak, steep and independent, very unique, and is a landmark mountain in the scenic area.

Inside Shenzhong Mountain, there are several attractions such as Elephant Trunk Peak, Camel Peak, and Divine Eagle Peak, mainly for viewing strange peaks and rocks and waterfalls in the mountains. The highlight is the Jilande Hot Spring deep in the canyon, where the water temperature is about 39 degrees Celsius, close to the human body temperature, making it very comfortable. For the section from Shenzhong Mountain to the hot springs, if you have enough physical strength, it is recommended to walk and explore, so you don't miss any scenery and can enjoy the relaxation of the hot springs after hiking.

General tourists usually spend about half a day for a simple tour, then return to Fuyun County or Keketohai Scenic Area Town for accommodation, and then head towards Kanas or Urumqi the next day. If you are a hiking backpacker or a tourist who wants a deeper experience, you can also stay overnight in the scenic area. There are yurts of local herders available for accommodation near the Shimen parking lot, Shenzhong Mountain parking lot, and the hot springs. The campsite near the hot springs also offers free camping for tourists who bring their own equipment, and you can choose according to your personal situation.