Altay Festivals and Events

Xinjiang Altay Ice and Snow Tour

Time: November 1st -- March 31st
Venue: Jiangjunshan Mountain Ski Resort, Hemu Scenic Spot
Altay ski resorts hold ice and snow festivals each November to March. The Jiangjunshan Mountan (the General Mountain) is the main venue which celebrates series of activities for commemorating the human skiing origin. Events and activities like ice and snow appreciation, canyon spectacles admiring, fairyland wild horses seeking, rime viewing on the sea of snow. Also, there are ancient skiing hunting games.

Aitys (阿依特斯)

It is one of the ancient celebration events of the Kazak people. The event usually falls in autumn. During the festival, nomads skilled in singing and dancing gather together to sing, dance, poetize impromptu and have fun. Aitys is a Kazak traditional festival, and is also one of the most exciting festivals of the year.

Aobao Festival (敖包节)

Time: Lunar May to July (when the Kanas Lake sees the most amazing flower blossoming）
It is also known as “Take’en Festival” which is a festival that Tuvans offer sacrificing to the nature. Tavans in Kanas is a branch of Mongolian, and they have some differences with Mongolians in festival celebration. They would celebrate in mountains where view abundant grass and build Mongolian yurts. Then, their unique ceremonies would be carried out. When the ceremony done, activities like horse racing, wrestling and archery would be held.

Zoulu Festival

Time: The 25th day of the 10th lunar month
It is a unique Tuvan festival. In this day, all the nomads come back to the village to commemorate the death of Living Buddha Mahekala (马盒卡拉). It is said that he was 125 years old on the day he passed away. For auspiciousness, nomads take some ground cypress with to home and light them at night. Then, people sit around at night to pray and make a bow with hands folded in front. After the ritual, they go home and light oil lamps to gain light so the festival is also known as Lighting Lamp Day.