Altay: Ski Culture, River Landscape and Snow Experiences

Altay offers a variety of ways to experience culture and nature: the museum focuses on the origins of skiing, while the Kelan River runs through the city from north to south. In winter, ski resorts and runs in the mountain landscapes add to the attractions. When planning your trip, you can choose different areas of focus: the history of skiing, the riverbanks or winter sports in the snow.

Discover the history of skiing at the museum

The Museum on the Origins of Skiing in Altay presents the ten-thousand-year-old ski culture of the Altai Mountains through reproductions of the rock art at Dundebulak, excavated artefacts and research findings. The exhibition brings together different ways of exploring the subject: it presents images, material finds and scientific findings. This makes a museum visit especially interesting if you would like to learn more about the long history of skiing, rather than seeing the sport only as a modern leisure activity.

The Human Ski Origin Museum exhibition traces the story from skiing in ancient times and the traditional making of fur skis to the development of modern winter sports. Interactive and audiovisual materials are permanently installed, and the museum is geared towards families and education. This makes it a good choice for a shared visit, with a subject that brings together cultural and sporting history. The three exhibition themes also help you decide whether you are more interested in early forms of skiing, traditional craft techniques or the development of the sport today.

The Kelan River and the city

The Kelan River runs through Altay from north to south. Paths, bridges and waterside platforms along its banks connect central areas of the city. The riverside path network is suitable for cycling, offering a different way to experience Altay from a museum visit or a day on the ski slopes. In spring and summer, the river carries more water and its banks are especially green. In winter, the surface freezes over, and the banks take on a simple, snowy appearance.

These seasonal differences shape the impression of the riverbanks, without reducing the character of the place to just one season: in spring and summer, the higher water levels and greenery along the banks take centre stage; in winter, it is the frozen surface and snow-covered surroundings. If you would like to explore Altay by bike, the riverside path network is a practical option to consider when planning your trip. If you are mainly interested in the history of skiing, the museum offers a distinct cultural focus.

Winter sports north of the city

Jiangjunshan International Ski Resort is located north of the city of Altay. The Kelan River separates it from Tuofeng Mountain. The resort's ski school was founded in 2013 to promote, popularise and teach skiing techniques. Jiangjunshan is therefore an important destination for a trip focused on winter sports.

Uxilik Wild Snow Park is located in the mountain landscapes north of Jiangjunshan. It is aimed at skiers seeking natural snow and challenging runs, and offers unspoilt terrain and powder-snow experiences. During the snow season, it is possible to ski in deep snow, through forests and on runs across terrain with several elevation levels. For some areas, at least intermediate skills and the company of other people or a guide are recommended. These points are relevant when choosing between a culturally focused stay and a winter sports trip: Uxilik is particularly suited to skiers specifically seeking these kinds of runs.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Altay, first consider which location and interests you want to shape your trip: the museum and city, the paths along the Kelan River or skiing north of the city. The experiences described range from museum materials that are permanently installed to activities that depend on the snow season.

Discover more destinations

Find more destinations at Bayingol, Kashgar, Aksu, Turpan, Kumul, Karamay, Changji and Ürümqi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Xinjiang.