Altay Prefecture (阿勒泰地区)

1. Introduction

Altay Prefecture (Kazakh: التاي ايماعى / Алтай аймағы; Uyghur: ئالتاي ۋىلايىتى‎, Latin Uyghur: Altay Wilayiti) is a prefecture under the jurisdiction of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. It covers a total area of 117,800 square kilometers, accounting for 7% of Xinjiang's total area, with a total population of 671,600. The prefecture's administrative office is located at 341 Jiefang Road, Altay City. The population is 603,000, with Kazakhs comprising approximately 53% and Han Chinese about 40%.

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2. History

2.1 Contention Among Nomadic Tribes

Around the 5th century BCE, the Altai Mountains were the grazing lands for nomadic tribes such as the Saka in the Kazakh region. By the 3rd century BCE, the Hujie tribe from the Ili area might also have roamed the Altai region. In 176 BCE, the Xiongnu conquered the Hujie and its neighboring states, making this area the "Right Territory of the Xiongnu." In 48 CE, eight Xiongnu noble tribes rebelled, vying for the throne, leading to internal strife among the Xiongnu chanyus and their eventual split into northern and southern factions. The fiefdom of the powerful northern Xiongnu Huyan King was located in what is now the Altay region. After 91 CE (the third year of the Yongyuan era), the northern Xiongnu gradually migrated westward, and the Xianbei people took over the former Xiongnu territories, bringing the present-day Altay region under their control as part of the "Right Territory of the Xianbei." By the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Xianbei Khanate declined, and the originally settled Hujie revived, referred to in Chinese historical records as the "Hude."

2.2 The Turks and the Tang Dynasty

In 402 CE, the Rouran rose to power, conquered the Hude, and relocated the ancient Turks, who had been grazing in the eastern Tianshan Mountains, to the southwest of the Golden Mountains (Altai Mountains). Thus, the present-day Altay region became the grazing land of the Turks.

The Turkic Khaganate was established in 552 CE. In 583 CE, the Western Turkic Khaganate split from the Turkic Khaganate, and the present-day Altay region fell within its territory. In 605 CE, various Tiele tribes rebelled against the oppression of the Western Turks, launching an uprising and electing Yishibo, the leader of the Xueyantuo tribe, as the "Yekuzhi Khan" (now translated as "Ertish Khan"). At that time, the Altay region was the grazing land of the Xueyantuo tribe. In 615 CE, the Western Turkic Shekui Khan launched an eastern expedition against the Tiele, leading Yishibo to renounce his khan title and submit to the Western Turkic Khaganate.

In the early 6th century, the Western Turkic Tong Yabghu Khan grew powerful and led multiple eastern expeditions against the Tiele. The Xueyantuo tribe migrated eastward to the Mobei grasslands, and the present-day Altay region became the grazing land of Western Turkic tribes. In 651 CE (the second year of the Yonghui era), the Western Turkic Yabghu Ashina Helu declared himself khan, sparking the second conflict between the Tang Dynasty and the Western Turks. The Tang Dynasty emerged victorious in 657 CE (the second year of the Xianqing era). Subsequently, the Tang Dynasty established the Shazhou Protectorate, Damo Protectorate, and Jinfu Protectorate in the Altay region to administer the Western Turkic Shatuo tribe, Karluk Chigil tribe, and Karluk tribe, respectively. In 702 CE (the second year of the Chang'an era), Empress Wu Zetian established the Beiting Protectorate, bringing the present-day Altay region under its jurisdiction.

2.3 The Uyghurs and the Mongols

After 744 CE, the Altay region became part of the Uyghur sphere of influence but was conquered in 840 CE by the Yenisei Kyrgyz under the Kyrgyz Khaganate. In 924 CE, tribes around the Altai Mountains, including the Karluk, Qirqiz, Kyrgyz, and Naiman, submitted to the Khitan.

In 1130 CE, the Western Liao (Kara Khitai) conquered the Western Regions, and the Altay region briefly became its political center. In 1204 CE, Temüjin, the leader of the Mongol tribe, led his troops to conquer the Naiman tribe, occupying the Altai region and granting it to his third son, Ögedei. It was later seized by the Chagatai Khanate. In 1399 CE, the Mongol Oirat (Dzungar) tribe rose to power, controlling vast areas on the eastern and western slopes of the Altai Mountains, making the present-day Altay region its central territory. Among the four Oirat tribes that moved southward, the Dzungar tribe dominated the area north of the Tianshan Mountains, leading to the rise of the Dzungar Khanate.

During the Qing Dynasty, the Altay region was the grazing land for Mongol tribes such as the Altai Uriankhai. In 1755 CE (the 20th year of the Qianlong era), after the Qing Empire conquered the Dzungar tribe, it first established the Uliastai General and later the Kobdo Council Minister to govern the vast area from the Khangai Mountains to the Irtysh River in the western Mongolian grasslands. The present-day Altay region subsequently came under its administration.

2.4 Modern and Contemporary Era

In 1868 (the 7th year of the Tongzhi era), the Buluntokhai Council Minister was briefly established in Buluntokhai (present-day Fuhai County area) but was abolished the following year. In 1904 (the 30th year of the Guangxu era), the Kobdo Council Minister was established and relocated to Chenghua Temple (present-day Altay City urban area) to administer affairs, implementing the separation of Kobdo and Altay. This marked the formal establishment of the Altay region. In 1906 (the 32nd year of the Guangxu era), Altay was separated from Kobdo, with Xi Heng appointed as the Altay Council Minister, overseeing the Mongol Altai Uriankhai, New Torghut, and New Khoshut tribes, with his seat at Chenghua Temple.

In August 1914 (the 3rd year of the Republic of China), it was renamed the Altay Territory, still under the direct jurisdiction of the central government. In June 1919 (the 8th year of the Republic of China), it was incorporated into Xinjiang Province and reorganized as the Altay Circuit. In 1929 (the 18th year of the Republic of China), the circuit was changed to the Sixth Administrative District of Xinjiang (Altay District). After August 1943 (the 32nd year of the Republic of China), the Altay Administrative Office was renamed the Administrative Inspectorate Office of the Sixth District of Xinjiang (Altay District), and the administrative region was subsequently abbreviated as the "Altay Special District." In 1954, Chenghua County was renamed Altay County, and the Altay Special District was changed to the Altay Special Administrative Region. In 1971, the Altay Special Administrative Region was renamed the Altay Prefecture. On August 29, 1975, the Altay Prefecture came under the jurisdiction of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.

3. Geography

The Altay Prefecture is located in northern Xinjiang and is a multi-ethnic border area inhabited by Kazakhs, Han Chinese, and others. "Altay" means "Golden Mountain." It borders Kazakhstan and the Altai Republic of the Siberian Federal District, Russia, to the northwest, and Mongolia to the east, with a border line of 1,205 kilometers. This area is also the continental pole of inaccessibility, the point farthest from any ocean.

The topography of Altay Prefecture is complex and diverse, with mountainous areas accounting for about four-fifths of its total area. The main peak of the Altai Mountains, Friendship Peak, has an elevation of 4,374 meters. The major rivers in Altay Prefecture all originate from the Altai Mountains. The Saur Mountains, located in the western part of the prefecture, run across the border between Jeminay County and Hoboksar Mongol Autonomous County, with their main peak, Mount Mustau, reaching 3,835 meters. Hills are mainly distributed on the gentle slopes of the foothills and in the northeastern part of the Junggar Basin, where exposed mineral veins make mining easier, forming the prefecture's main metallogenic region. Plains are distributed in the valleys of the Irtysh River, the Ulungur River, and the middle and lower reaches of other rivers. Deserts are found in parts of Fuhai County, southern Fuyun County, and Habahe County, Burqin County, and Jeminay County. The lowest elevation is 317 meters (the Sangequan Depression in Fuyun County). Altay Prefecture is one of Xinjiang's water-rich areas. It has three major river systems: the Irtysh River, the Ulungur River, and the Jeminay River, totaling 56 rivers of various sizes. Larger lakes include Ulungur Lake, Kanas Lake, and Jili Lake.

Situated in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent at a high latitude, Altay Prefecture has a typical temperate continental cold climate characterized by dry, hot summers and severely cold winters. The plains receive little precipitation but experience high evaporation, significant diurnal temperature variations, ample sunlight, and frequent winds throughout the year. The annual average temperature ranges from 0.7°C to 4.9°C, with an extreme minimum of -51.5°C and an extreme maximum of 42.2°C. In the plains, the average annual precipitation is 131–223 mm, annual evaporation is 1,367–2,066 mm, the frost-free period lasts 123–152 days, and annual sunshine hours total 2,829–3,045.

Average Meteorological Data for Lüliang City, 1971-2000

| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year | |------|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|------|------|------|------| | Record high °C (°F) | 13.3 (65.9) | 22.6 (72.7) | 24.9 (76.8) | 34.7 (94.5) | 35.7 (88.1) | 37.8 (100.0) | 38.4 (101.1) | 37.2 (99.0) | 36.2 (97.2) | 29.4 (84.9) | 24.1 (75.4) | 15.6 (60.1) | 38.4 (101.1) | | Average high °C (°F) | -0.2 (31.6) | 3.9 (39.0) | 10.6 (51.1) | 19.2 (66.6) | 25.3 (77.5) | 28.9 (84.0) | 29.9 (85.8) | 28.0 (82.4) | 23.3 (73.9) | 17.0 (62.6) | 8.6 (47.5) | 1.6 (34.9) | 16.3 (61.4) | | Daily mean °C (°F) | -7.5 (18.5) | -3.4 (25.9) | 3.5 (38.3) | 11.4 (52.5) | 17.6 (63.7) | 21.7 (71.1) | 23.3 (73.9) | 21.5 (70.7) | 16.0 (60.8) | 9.4 (48.9) | 1.6 (34.9) | -5.5 (22.1) | 9.1 (48.4) | | Average low °C (°F) | -13.6 (7.5) | -9.5 (14.9) | -2.8 (27.0) | 3.9 (39.0) | 9.9 (49.8) | 14.3 (57.7) | 17.1 (62.8) | 15.9 (60.6) | 9.9 (49.8) | 3.2 (37.8) | -4.0 (24.8) | -11.1 (12.0) | 2.8 (37.0) | | Record low °C (°F) | -26.0 (-14.8) | -23.9 (-11.0) | -16.1 (3.0) | -9.6 (14.7) | -3.2 (26.2) | 4.7 (39.6) | 10.2 (50.4) | 6.6 (43.9) | -2.0 (28.4) | -8.7 (16.3) | -20.0 (-4.0) | -24.9 (-12.8) | -26.0 (-14.8) | | Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2.7 (0.11) | 5.2 (0.20) | 12.1 (0.48) | 22.0 (0.87) | 30.7 (1.21) | 60.2 (2.37) | 100.5 (3.96) | 120.2 (4.73) | 61.2 (2.41) | 30.2 (1.19) | 13.1 (0.52) | 3.4 (0.13) | 461.5 (18.18) | | Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 2.4 | 3.4 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 6.2 | 8.3 | 11.4 | 11.5 | 8.6 | 6.1 | 3.9 | 2.2 | 74.3 |

4. Administrative Divisions

Altay Prefecture administers 1 county-level city and 6 counties.

• County-level city: Altay City
• Counties: Burqin County, Fuyun County, Fuhai County, Habahe County, Qinghe County, Jeminay County

The entire area is a border management zone. Non-local residents must obtain travel permits to visit.

Division Codes and Names

| Division Code | Division Name | Chinese Pinyin | Area (km²) | Resident Population (2020 Census) | Government Seat | Postal Code | Subdistricts | Towns | Townships | Of which: Ethnic Townships | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 654300 | Altay Prefecture | Aletai Diqu | 117,709.61 | 648,173 | Altay City | 836500 | 4 | 30 | 26 | 2 | | 654301 | Altay City | Aletai Shi | 10,825.67 | 221,454 | Jinshanlu Subdistrict | 836500 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 1 | | 654321 | Burqin County | Bu'érjin Xian | 10,344.99 | 72,894 | Burqin Town | 836600 | | 4 | 3 | 1 | | 654322 | Fuyun County | Fuyun Xian | 32,208.67 | 99,748 | Kuerqisi Town | 836100 | | 5 | 5 | | | 654323 | Fuhai County | Fuhai Xian | 33,261.30 | 75,537 | Fuhai Town | 836400 | | 3 | 3 | | | 654324 | Habahe County | Habahé Xian | 8,180.57 | 82,524 | Akqi Town | 836700 | | 4 | 3 | | | 654325 | Qinghe County | Qinghé Xian | 15,742.62 | 61,680 | Qinghe Town | 836200 | | 5 | 3 | | | 654326 | Jeminay County | Jimunai Xian | 7,145.80 | 34,336 | Toptirek Town | 836800 | | 4 | 3 | |

5. Economy

In 2010, the entire region achieved a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 8.485 billion yuan (at current prices), with a total industrial and agricultural output value of 3.839 billion yuan. The per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen reached 2,361 yuan. Through development, the region has achieved self-sufficiency in grain and has seen significant improvements in animal husbandry. Industries such as electricity, coal, gold, mining, wool spinning, papermaking, sugar production, clothing, food, pharmaceuticals, and jewelry processing have reached a considerable scale.

The region has successively opened ports including Takeshiken Port, Hongshanzui Port, Jeminay Port, and Ahettubai Port. In 2010, the total import and export trade volume of the entire region reached 91.63 million US dollars.

6. Transportation

6.1 Air

• Altay City Altay Airport
• Fuyun County Tuerhong Township Fuyun Koktokay Airport
• Burqin County Burqin Kanas Airport

6.2 Highway

• G3014 Kuytun–Altay Expressway
• National Highway 216
• National Highway 217
• National Highway 219
• National Highway 331
• National Highway 576
• National Highway 680
• National Highway 681
• National Highway 685

7. Education

• Altay Vocational and Technical College

8. Population

According to the Seventh National Population Census in 2020, the permanent resident population of the entire region was 648,173. Compared with the 603,283 people from the Sixth National Population Census, there was an increase of 44,890 people over the ten-year period, representing a growth of 7.44%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.72%. Among them, the male population was 336,858, accounting for 51.97% of the total population; the female population was 311,315, accounting for 48.03% of the total population. The overall sex ratio (with females as 100) was 108.2. The population aged 0–14 was 133,442, accounting for 20.59% of the total population; the population aged 15–59 was 438,963, accounting for 67.72% of the total population; the population aged 60 and above was 75,768, accounting for 11.69% of the total population, of which the population aged 65 and above was 51,705, accounting for 7.98% of the total population. The urban population was 338,306, accounting for 52.19% of the total population; the rural population was 309,867, accounting for 47.81% of the total population.

8.1 Ethnic Groups

The Altay Region is a multi-ethnic area, home to 36 ethnic groups including Kazakh, Han, Hui, Uyghur, and Mongol (Tuvan). The Han population is 232,563, accounting for 38.55% of the total population; the total population of ethnic minorities is 370,720, accounting for 61.45% of the total population. Among them, the Kazakh population is 328,153, accounting for 54.39% of the total population; the Hui population is 23,656, accounting for 3.92% of the total population; the Uyghur population is 8,703, accounting for 1.44% of the total population; and the Mongol population is 5,376, accounting for 0.89% of the total population.

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Altay City

Altay City

The Han population accounts for 38.55%, the Kazakh population for 54.39%, the Hui for 3.92%, the Uyghur population for 1.44%, and the Mongolian population for 0.89%.

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