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| Wu Bai Li Commercial Street Altay City, Xinjiang |
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| Kelan River, Altay City |
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| Hualin Park, Kelan River Valley Altay City, Xinjiang |
D-9 Monday Aug 17 2026 (Altay & Burqin, Xinjiang) - my 2nd day in Altay City, no major outside visit except a bus ride (solo) to Hualin Park, a natural scenic spot in Kelan River Valley (approx 2km from Altay City).
Altay City, Xinjiang globally known as a premier winter sports hub & the historical cradle of human skiing, the city boasts an extraordinary long winter season stretching from November to April with dry fluffy "powder snow" that averages depths of 1 to 1.5 meters.
1) My early morning walkabout (solo) nearby my hotel, Wu Bai Li Commercial Street & Kelan riverside.
2) Wu Bai Li Commercial Street, Altay City, Xinjiang - my 2nd visit
3) Yinshui Square, Altay City, Xinjiang - a small public square near Wu Bai Li Commercial Street.
4) Kelan River - a 265km long river flowing through Altay Prefecture in the far northern region of Xinjiang, it originates on the southern slopes of the Altai Mountains near the Mongolian border, cuts directly through the urban core of the Altay City & serves as major early tributary of the Irtysh River.
5) Kelan Park, Altay City, Xinjiang - a peaceful public park located on the east side of Yinshui Road along the scenic Kelan River in Altay City.
6) Publicity of Altay Tourist Attractions in 500-Mile Altay Scenic Route along the Kelan Riverfront Area.
7) Continuing my morning walk from Wu Bai Li Commercial Street to hotel
8) Buffet breakfast (@CNY16 = Rm9.60) with my travel buddy in a local restaurant in downtown Altay City.
9) Bought a bunch of fresh grapes (CNY6) from a roadside fruit vendor.
10) After the breakfast & due to a drizzling, we spent the rest of the morning in the hotel room watching CCTV news.
11) Bus ride (CNY1) from a bus stop nearby my hotel to Hualin Park (approx 2km) - my travel buddy decided to take a rest in the hotel so I ventured out & made a solo visit to this suburban park in Altay City.
12) Hualin Park, Altay City, Xinjiang - a natural scenic spot located in the Kelan River Valley, approx 2 km from Altay City, featuring dense birch forests, river valleys & spectacular autumn foliage that reflects beautifully across its waters.
13) My DIY noodle lunch inside the hotel room - tomato sauce noodle with hard boiled egg & capsicum.
14) Evening free & easy walk with my travel buddy to Kelan Park & Wu Bai Li Commercial Street - my 3rd visit.
