Keketuohai (可可托海, also spelled Koktokay) is a dramatic river-gorge national geological park in Fuyun County, Altay Prefecture, in the north of Xinjiang, China. Here the Ertix (Irtysh) River has carved a granite canyon flanked by bizarre stone peaks, and in autumn the birch forests along the water turn the whole valley to gold. Once a closed mining area, it is now one of Xinjiang’s most photogenic and least crowded mountain escapes.
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- Best Time to Visit Keketuohai
- How to Get to Keketuohai
- Things to Do in Keketuohai
- Where to Stay in Keketuohai
- Sample Keketuohai Itinerary
- FAQ
Exploring the Altai? Our Kanas Lake guide pairs well with Keketuohai on a northern Xinjiang loop.
Best Time to Visit Keketuohai
The best time to visit Keketuohai is September to mid-October, when the birch and poplar leaves ignite yellow against the grey granite and the Ertix runs cold and clear. Daytime is 8–20°C; nights approach freezing. This is the classic Keketuohai autumn window and the reason most photos of the park go viral.
Summer (June–August) is green and pleasant (15–28°C), with wildflowers on the higher slopes and fewer leaf-peepers. Spring is short and muddy. Winter is brutally cold (often −20°C) but spectacular for ice and solitude if you have the gear. A useful Keketuohai travel tip: the park sits at 1,200–2,300 m, so even in July bring a fleece. For season planning nationwide, see our best time to visit China guide.
How to Get to Keketuohai
Keketuohai is about 50 km from Fuyun town and roughly 480 km from Urumqi. The easiest modern approach is to fly almost to the gate.
| Step | Route | Time | Notes |
|——|——-|——|——-|
| International → Urumqi | Flight to Ürümqi Diwopu Airport (URC) | — | Gateway to Xinjiang, China |
| Urumqi → Fuyun (Keketuohai) | Flight (1h) to Fuyun Koktokay Airport | 1h | Newest, fastest option |
| Urumqi → Fuyun (alt) | Long-distance bus / train + road | 6–8h | Scenic overland |
| Fuyun → Park gate | Taxi / private car | ~1h | 50 km, paved |
The direct how to get to Keketuohai answer is: fly Urumqi → Fuyun Koktokay Airport (COQ), then a one-hour taxi or prebooked transfer to the park entrance. If flights are full, an overnight train or bus to Fuyun town works, followed by a local car. Tickets (around ¥90–120) cover the gorge shuttle; buy at the gate and bring your passport. The internal shuttle runs along the canyon and saves a lot of walking.
Flying into Fuyun? Our Xinjiang travel guide breaks down the Urumqi–Keketuohai flight and transfer so you don’t miss the last shuttle.
Things to Do in Keketuohai
Photograph the Spirit Bell Granite Peak
The signature Keketuohai things to do is standing beneath the “Spirit Bell Mountain” (神钟山), a 365 m freestanding granite monolith shaped like an inverted bell. The short boardwalk from the shuttle stop puts you right at its base by the river — arrive before 10am for soft side-light on the rock.
Walk the Birch Gorge in Autumn
Follow the riverside trail as it threads between birch groves and sheer cliffs. In Keketuohai autumn the contrast — pale trunks, gold leaves, dark stone, blue water — is the park’s trademark. Allow 2–3 hours for the main gorge walk at an easy pace.
The path is well boardwalked in busy sections but turns to forest earth farther up, where you may have the birch entirely to yourself. A nice Keketuohai things to do is to pause at one of the small rapids and skip stones while the granite walls echo — the canyon has a way of swallowing noise. Wear grippy shoes after rain, as the boardwalk can be slick, and keep a light rain shell in your daypack since mountain weather shifts fast.
Ride the Canyon Shuttle and Stop at Viewpoints
The park shuttle halts at a dozen named overlooks: waterfalls, a “fist” rock, and a narrows where the Ertix runs turquoise. Hop off, photograph, and catch the next bus. It is an efficient way to see the whole canyon without a guide.
Soak in the Quiet of the Highlands
Above the gorge, the terrain opens to alpine meadows where few tourists venture. Bring a picnic and listen to the river — the calm is the real reward after the busy lake towns of the region. Compare the mood with the open Yili pastures in our Xinjiang travel guide.
If you have a second morning, hire a local driver to the higher pastures above the canyon, where Kazakh herders still graze sheep through summer. The drive itself is scenic — the road climbs past the tree line into a world of lichen-covered rock and cold springs. It is a gentle reminder that Keketuohai is not just a photo stop but a living mountain landscape in Xinjiang, China.
Where to Stay in Keketuohai
- Inside the park: A small cluster of cabins and a hotel near the gate (¥300–600), convenient for sunrise but limited in number — book early in October.
- Fuyun town: The practical base (¥250–500) with more hotels, restaurants, and the airport shuttle.
- Altay city: Only if you are combining Keketuohai with Kanas and Baihaba on a longer Altai circuit (¥300–600).
Cards are accepted in town hotels but not at the gate, so carry ¥200–400 cash. New visitors will find our China travel guide for first-timers useful for payments and SIM data in remote counties.
Sample Keketuohai Itinerary
A compact Keketuohai itinerary from Urumqi in 2 days:
- Day 1: Morning flight Urumqi → Fuyun → transfer to park → afternoon gorge walk and Spirit Bell photo → overnight at gate or Fuyun.
- Day 2: Sunrise birch walk → shuttle viewpoint tour → return flight to Urumqi, or continue north toward Altay and Kanas.
Stretch it to 4–5 days to add Kanas and Baihaba; the Nalati grassland guide shows how the wider region connects by road.
Want the Altai autumn mapped door-to-door? Our best things to do in China planner links Keketuohai, Kanas, and Hemu in one route.
FAQ
Is Keketuohai worth visiting if I am short on time?
Yes, if you love geology and autumn color. One full day covers the gorge; it is quieter and cheaper than Kanas.
Do I need a border permit for Keketuohai?
No. Unlike Baihaba, Keketuohai is not a border zone, so only a normal park ticket and passport are needed.
How cold does it get at night?
From October, near or below 0°C. Pack a warm jacket, hat, and gloves even if the day feels mild.
Can I visit Keketuohai in winter?
The park stays open, but roads can ice over and services shrink. Only attempt it with winter gear and a local driver.
What is the Ertix river’s significance?
It is the headstream of the Irtysh, one of Asia’s great rivers, flowing all the way to the Arctic Ocean — a fact detailed by Wikipedia.
Final Thoughts
Keketuohai packs granite drama and birch gold into a single quiet canyon in Xinjiang, China. Fly in, walk the gorge, and let the Spirit Bell peak do the rest. It is the perfect counterpoint to the busier lakes of the Altai, and a highlight on any northern Xinjiang road trip.
By Karl — Last updated July 26, 2026