Koktokay

Koktokay Sea is not a sea, it is a "blue river bay", which means "green jungle" in Kazakh language. Not only does this place have stunning canyon rivers, but more importantly, it is known as the "second coldest spot in China" and has a mysterious "underground treasure" that has made great contributions to the country in history - the No. 3 mine.

The Koktokay Scenic Area is mainly composed of three parts: the Ertix Grand Canyon, Keketsuri and Lake Iremu, as well as the famous No. 3 Mine.

Ertix Grand Canyon
This is the essence of Koktokay Scenic Area.
The Irtysh River: This is the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean (via Kazakhstan and Russia), with its source located here.
Shenzhong Mountain, also known as Amirsala Peak, is a landmark landscape of the canyon. A huge granite body resembling an inverted giant bell rises from the ground, with a relative height difference of 365 meters. The solitary peak stands proudly, with steep cliffs, extremely spectacular.
Granite landform: On both sides of the canyon, there are various mountain peaks with different shapes, such as Shenzhong Mountain, Feilai Peak, Camel Peak, etc. The rocks here have undergone long-term weathering, forming many honeycomb shaped and waterfall like pits, which are very distinctive.
Autumn scenery: Every year from late September to early October, the Siberian larch and birch forests in the canyon turn golden yellow, complementing the blue river water and gray peaks, making it an excellent place for photography.

Kekesuli
Characteristic: Also known as Wild Duck Lake, it is a swamp wetland. There are large patches of reeds growing on the lake, forming reed islands swaying in the wind. Every summer and autumn, thousands of wild ducks, red geese, and white swans inhabit here, full of vitality and agility.
Lake Eremu
Characteristic: Located at the confluence of the Ertix River and the Kayit River, it is a barrier lake formed by an earthquake fault zone, and some believe it is a reservoir. The lake is deep and blue, surrounded by mountains, and the scenery is quiet and mysterious.

No. 3 ore vein
This is the most legendary and sacred place in the Koktokay
Historical status: The No. 3 mine is one of the largest mines in the world and is recognized as a "natural geological museum" by the global geological community.
Amazing reserves: The pit is rich in 86 types of minerals, among which rare metals such as beryllium, lithium, tantalum, niobium, cesium, etc. are particularly abundant. It once repaid 40% of the debt of the former Soviet Union for the Republic and provided indispensable rare materials for the development of the "Two Bombs and One Satellite" (atomic bomb, hydrogen bomb, artificial satellite), making great contributions.
Landscape: The mine is 250 meters long and 240 meters wide, deeply buried more than 200 meters underground, forming a huge vortex like deep pit, which is magnificent. The winding mountain path on the pit wall is clearly visible. Now you can go deep into the mine and experience the temperature of these "meritorious ores" up close, learning about that difficult yet glorious history.