South Mountain Pasture

It lies some 50 kilometers south of Urumqi in the mountains of the Tianshan Range. Here the Tianshan Mountains are forested with towering spruce covered with rare flowers and plants. Nearby is the "Tianshan Waterfall" roaring down a cliff some 20 meters high and then through a valley. The pasture is dotted with the white felt yurts of Kazak herdsmen and flocks of sheep move on the mountain slopes like drifting clouds. Recreational activities include horse-riding, mountaineering, "Girl's Whip" and "Goat Chase." Koumiss (fermented mare's milk), stewed mutton and butter are popular specialties here.