Altay or Aletai is a county-level city in Altay Prefecture within Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, in far Northern Xinjiang, China. The city centre is located on the banks of Kelan River.

Administrative divisions

Altay City is divided into four subdistricts, five towns, five townships, and one ethnic township. Others

Geography

Climate

Altay has a cold semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk), with an annual precipitation total of only 213 mm. Winters are long, bitterly cold and dry, with a January 24-hour average of -15.3 °C; however, the presence of the Altay Mountains to the north helps moderate the severity of winter cold as compared to locations further to the east. Spring and autumn are short but mild. Summers are very warm, but dry, with a July 24-hour average of 21.7 °C. The annual mean is 4.75 °C. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 50% in December to 74% in August and September, sunshine is abundant and the city receives 2,993 hours of bright sunshine annually.

Demographics

Transport

From Ürümqi (capital of Xinjiang Province) to Altay, it takes about one hour by plane, nine hours by day bus, 12 hours by night bus and about 9.5 hours by train.

Culture

Like other cities in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, there are many minorities in Altay, in particular Uyghurs and Kazakhs. The Dundbulag rock carvings (敦德布拉克岩画) in the Xandighati Mongol Ethnic Township (A.K.A. Handagaitu, Handgait; tyv. Handagaity; uyg. Handigati; cmn. Handegate) under this city is a very early evidence of skiing. The term Mongol here partially refers to ethnic Tuvans of the Mongol nation under Chinese designation.

Education

In schools, students are taught mainly in Chinese (Mandarin) and there are courses for Uyghur and Kazakh languages.

Tourism

The most important tourist site is Kanas Lake where there is a legend of a large creature.

Economy

Notable people

Explanatory notes