Planning a Second Trip to Altay with My Bestie

Last September, I visited Altay with my best friend, and since then, my longing for freedom has become unstoppable! I’ve decided to go again this September [Like][Like]. Having experienced Altay a year ago, I feel qualified to share some insights for those planning to visit—no pitfalls here! 🥳🥳 📍Pre-Trip Prep: 👀 Sunscreen, sun hat, UV-protective clothing, phone tripod, travel backpack, and, of course, photogenic outfits are must-haves. Most importantly, prepare oxygen bottles based on your fitness level and the altitude of the destinations you’ll visit. 📍Itinerary Highlights: 🌹 Book your hotel in advance. September to October is peak tourist season, so early bookings not only secure discounts but also avoid last-minute room shortages. Last year, my bestie and I stayed at the **Fuyun Riverside Holiday Hotel (Riverside Scenic Area Branch)**. Honestly, local hotels here offer a unique experience compared to standard chain hotels—definitely a fresh vibe! 🏨 **Hotel Location**: Unbeatable! - About 9.3 km (13-minute drive) from Fuyun Railway Station 🚉. - Approximately 26 km (30-minute drive) to Fuyun Koktokay Airport ✈️. - Just 630 meters from Fuyun People’s Shopping Mall—easy stroll for shopping after check-in. - Around 1.3 km to Fuyun County Natural Museum, walkable for a visit. 🏨 **Hotel Décor**: Rich in local character, with vibrant colors in the restaurant and common areas—a striking contrast to the usual minimalist tones. 🏨 **Room Layout**: Great privacy and soundproofing. The breakfast? Even a picky eater like me was satisfied. Trust me, choose this hotel for your Altay trip! [Tiptop][Tiptop] 🏞 The Most Anticipated Travel Guide Is Here! 📍 **Day 1: Cultural & Ecological Exploration in Fuyun** 🌞 **Morning**: Walk 5 minutes from the hotel to the Riverside Scenic Area. Stroll along the Irtysh Riverbank, photograph birch forest reflections and locals’ morning routines. **Afternoon**: Drive 15 minutes to Koktokay Lake (Wild Duck Lake) for birdwatching (summer/autumn)—spot flocks of wild ducks and egrets on reed islands, with the lake’s surface shifting like living ink paintings. En route, visit Talat Village (“First Village of the Irtysh”) for a Kazakh homestay experience—try traditional embroidery or freshly fried *bawrsak* (dough puffs). **Night**: Return to the Riverside Scenic Area for the musical fountain light show, then explore the Starry Night Market for grilled *huoyu* (Irtysh River fish) or hand-torn lamb. 📍 **Day 2: Geological Wonders & Canyon Secrets** **Main Destination**: Koktokay Scenic Area (1-hour drive from the hotel): - **No. 3 Mine Pit**: Descend into this historic “Merit Mine” site, tour the 136-meter-deep hydro station and Aygolez Mine Tunnel, and feel the weight of its Cold War-era debt-repayment history. - **Irtysh Grand Canyon**: Take a shuttle to Zhongshan Mountain (iconic granite peak), then hike 6.5 km to Jiland Hot Springs for a 39°C mineral soak under the Altay starry sky. - **Couple Trees**: A romantic autumn snapshot of golden birch and evergreen pine intertwined. 📍 **Day 3: Earthquake Traces & Borderland Serenity** **Morning**: Drive 1.5 hours east to the Kalaxtokay Earthquake Rift Zone. Hike to the viewpoint and gaze at the 176-km-long fissure torn by the 1931 quake—like a dragon sprawled across the land. **Afternoon**: - Discover the “Blue Bend” of Yileimu Lake, climb to photograph its mysterious figure-8 shape and snow-capped mountain reflections. - Stop by Koktokay Town on the return trip to visit the Soviet-era wooden bridge and Geological Exhibition Hall, touching 86 mineral specimens. ❤ **Traveler’s Notes** **Best Photo Spots**: - Zhongshan Mountain viewpoint for the Irtysh River’s autumn bends (early morning). - Koktokay Lake’s eastern reeds at sunrise. - Silhouette of the Couple Trees at dusk. - Panorama from Talat Village’s viewpoint.