[2025 Fuyun Attraction] Travel Guide for Yileimu Lake (Updated Mar)

| The Most Detailed Travel Guide. Keketuohai, this magical land located in the northeast of Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, is like a hidden gem in northern Xinjiang. With its magnificent granite canyons, the source of the Irtysh River, primeval forests, and the famous No. 3 Mine Pit, it integrates natural scenery and cultural history, attracting countless tourists to explore. Best Time to Visit 🌞Summer (June - August): The climate is cool and pleasant, with green grass and blooming wildflowers, making it an excellent summer resort. 🍁Autumn (September - October): The mountains and forests are ablaze with color, with golden and fiery red autumn leaves intertwined, as beautiful as an oil painting, making it a paradise for photographers. ❄️Winter (November - March): The snow-covered landscape is breathtaking, and you can also enjoy skiing at the Keketuohai International Ski Resort. Transportation Guide External Transportation ✈️Airplane: Arrive at Fuyun Airport, about 50 km from the scenic area, and then choose a chartered car or taxi to the scenic area. 🚗Self-driving: • From Urumqi, drive north along G216, passing through Fuyun County to the scenic area, the journey takes about 6-7 hours. • From Altay, it takes about 4 hours to arrive. 🚌Long-distance bus: Take a bus from Nianzigou Passenger Station in Urumqi to Fuyun County, the journey takes about 8 hours, and then transfer to the scenic spot shuttle bus. Internal Transportation 🎫 The ticket includes the shuttle bus fee, and major attractions such as the Irtysh Grand Canyon require a shuttle bus. In addition, some areas can also be explored on foot or horseback, allowing you to experience the charm of nature up close. Must-See Attractions Irtysh Grand Canyon ⛰️Mount Shenzhong: A landmark landscape, resembling a huge inverted bell, made of granite, majestic and spectacular. 💧Irtysh River: The only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean, with clear blue water winding through the canyon. 🌳Birch Forest: Golden in autumn, with sunlight pouring down, it feels like being in a fairy tale world, perfect for taking photos. Keketuohai No. 3 Mine Pit Known as the "Meritorious Mine Pit," it is rich in rare metals such as lithium and beryllium, and made great contributions to repaying the Soviet Union's foreign debt. You can also visit the mine exhibition hall to learn more about its mining history. Kokosuli (Wild Duck Lake) A beautiful wetland lake, with lotus flowers in full bloom in summer and many birds inhabiting it. Take a stroll along the lake and enjoy the tranquility. Lake Iremu A high-altitude lake with crystal-clear water reflecting the snow-capped mountains and forests, tranquil and beautiful, intoxicating. Kalazhola Waterfall A waterfall hidden in the canyon, with abundant water flow in summer. As you approach the waterfall, cool mist greets you. Tickets and Opening Hours 🎫Tickets: Peak season (April - October) approx. CNY 90, off-season approx. CNY 60. 🚌Shuttle bus ticket: approx. CNY 36-50 (priced according to different routes). 🕙Opening hours: 9:00 - 19:00 (subject to change depending on the season, it is recommended to confirm in advance before traveling). Accommodation Recommendations Inside the Scenic Area 🏠Characteristic homestays or yurts: Experience the unique Kazakh customs, prices range from CNY 200-500/night. ♨️Hot spring hotels: Some hotels have natural hot springs, where you can relax and unwind after a day of exploring. Fuyun County A wider range of choices, from budget hotels to high-end hotels, with prices ranging from CNY 150-800/night. Food Recommendations 🥩Kazakh cuisine: Hand-grabbed mutton, horse intestines, fragrant milk tea, baursaki (a kind of fried dough). 🍲Xinjiang specialties: Dapanji (Big Plate Chicken), baked buns, nang pit meat. 🍴Recommended dining spots: Restaurants in the scenic area or the local food street in Fuyun County. Things to Note Climate and Equipment • The temperature difference between day and night is large, so it is recommended to bring a jacket even in summer, and down jackets are essential in winter. • Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, hats, and high-SPF sunscreen are essential. • If you plan to hike, remember to wear non-slip shoes and bring rain gear. Altitude and Health • The altitude of the scenic area is 1200-1500 meters, and altitude sickness is generally not a problem, but strenuous exercise should still be avoided. Environmental Protection and Safety • Protect the environment, please do not litter. • Rocks are loose in some areas of the canyon, follow warning signs and do not risk climbing. Cultural Respect • The local area is mainly inhabited by Kazakhs. Respect their customs and traditions, and always ask for permission before taking photos of people. Itinerary Suggestions (2-3 days) 2-Day Tour • Day 1: Arrive at Keketuohai → Visit No. 3 Mine Pit → Lake Iremu → Stay in a scenic homestay. • Day 2: Irtysh Grand Canyon (Mount Shenzhong, Birch Forest, Waterfall) → Hiking or horseback riding → Return to Fuyun County in the evening. 3-Day Tour • Day 1: Arrive at Keketuohai → No. 3 Mine Pit → Lake Iremu → Stay in a scenic homestay. • Day 2: Irtysh Grand Canyon (Mount Shenzhong, Birch Forest, Waterfall) → Hiking or horseback riding → Return to Fuyun County in the evening. • Day 3: Kokosuli Wetland → Experience nomadic life in the surrounding pastures. Nearby Attractions 🚗Kanas: About 5 hours by car. In autumn, you can combine Keketuohai and Kanas for a tour to experience the beautiful scenery of northern Xinjiang. 🏡Hemu Village: Experience the unique charm of Tuvan villages, enjoy skiing in winter, and admire the fairy-tale snow scenery.

In Koktokay, the rime doesn't melt until the afternoon. This year, Xinjiang has had little snow. I've been here for more than ten days and haven't seen a single snowfall. Instead, I've been greeted by clear skies. The ice on Lake Irtysh is solid. The snow-covered land of Koktokay is flat, and the snow-capped mountains stretch into the distance. 🏔️🏇 Enjoy the scenery in sub-zero temperatures. Pass through the rime-covered birch forest, and feel the cold air flow past your ears. Ride a horse across Lake Irtysh, and feel the dopamine rush. It's a carefree life in the mountains without a phone. Skiing, horseback riding, hiking, and snow watching. Life is light and carefree. This is the winter in Xinjiang I imagined. 📍: Lake Irtysh, Koktokay, Xinjiang 🐎: There are many places to ride horses in Koktokay, including the birch forest and Lake Irtysh. You can even ride a horse while skiing. We rode the rime route on Lake Irtysh. The ice is solid from December, so you can ride freely. You need to book a day in advance, and round-trip transfers are usually included. 🤠 Horseback riding gear ▫️ Most people who ride horses in Koktokay in winter are skiers, so you can just wear your ski gear. ▫️ Don't forget a face mask, as the wind will freeze your face. ▫️ A windproof and warm jacket is essential for riding on the open frozen lake. ▫️ If you finish the Lake Irtysh route early, you can take a short hike nearby. You can hike to the highest point, which is now a viewing platform. The snow-covered road is easy to climb. You can overlook the entire Lake Irtysh and the vast frozen land of Koktokay.

Iliemu Lake Iliemu Lake is a part of the Keketuohai scenic area in Xinjiang, located between Fuyun County and Keketuohai Town. It is a seismic fault lake, a relic left by a major earthquake. The lake surface forms an "8" shape. The lake is calm, the water is deep blue, and there are many cold water fish in it, which the locals call Haizikou Reservoir. Iliemu Lake is another gift from nature to Keketuohai. In Kazakh, it means "whirlpool". It is hidden in the southwestern fault basin of Keketuohai, with towering peaks on both sides, surrounded by green trees on the north and south sides, and the distant villages and fields can be vaguely seen, overlapping with the lake to form a beautiful picture of nature. In winter, Iliemu Lake is covered by a heavy snow, everything is silent, as if the whole world is left alone, you can release all your negative emotions. "Iliemu Lake 300 Places" Ctrip Holiday Farmhouse (Keketuohai Iliemu Lake 300 Places Affiliate Store) is a homestay located by the lake. There are many delicious Xinjiang foods, good service attitude, clean and tidy hotel rooms, and floor heating. Sitting in the warm room and looking at the snow scene outside the window is very comfortable. As the saying goes, "Stealing half a day of leisure", escaping from the hustle and bustle of the big city, and enjoying the tranquility that belongs to you here, isn't it beautiful?