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.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
