Tianshan Grand Canyon, Urumqi
An aerial view of the snow covered Tianshan Grand Canyon, a national-level forest park, about 40 kilometers from Urumqi in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region. The photo was taken aboard a flight from Xinjiang's Ghulja to Urumqi on Jan 2. [Photo/IC]
Tianshan Grand Canyon is located in Banfanggou town in Urumqi county, 40 kilometers from the city center. Situated on the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain, Tianshan Grand Canyon stands 1,600 meters above sea level, with its highest peak reaching 2,048 meters, and is made up of ranges of rufous massifs. Therefore it is also called Keziliya Grand Canyon, which means the red cliff in the Uyghur language.
Stretching 5.5 km, Tianshan Grand Canyon can be deemed as the rare natural scenic spot across China thanks to aeon-long denudation and scour of torrents. In the sunlight, rufous mountains are burning flames seen from afar. What makes Tianshan Grand Canyon charming is not only its magnificence and precipitousness, but also its tranquility, mysteriousness and serenity. It is home to a wide variety of wild animals and plant resources, including 1,123 kinds of plants, 32 kinds of mammals and 144 kinds of birds.
Here you can see the most integral and the most admirable virginal forest of spruce in snow hills. Tianshan Grand Canyon almost covers Xinjiang’s all natural scenery except deserts, which makes it a living museum of nomadic culture. Its majestic beauty makes Tianshan Grand Canyon a place worth sightseeing and exploring.
Scenic spot level: AAAAA
Ideal sightseeing season: September to October.
Opening hours: 8:00 – 17:00
Ticket price: 75 yuan ($10.88), 60 yuan online, free with valid certificates
Address: Banfanggou town, Urumqi county, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region
Tel: +86-991-7629111
Website: http://www.wlmqtsdxg.com/html/en/
Online booking: http://www.wlmqtsdxg.com/product-4-333.aspx
Note:
The last bus departing from the scenic area to the urban area sets off at about 18:10 every day, so watch the time.
Urumqi Tianshan Grand Canyon in the dusk [Photo/VCG]
Starry night in Urumqi Tianshan Grand Canyon [Photo/VCG]