Hualin Park is located at No. 56, Gongyuan Lu, Altay City, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the northwestern corner of Altay Urban Area and on a river beach at the upper reaches of the Kelan River. It is a national 4A-level scenic area.
The park covers a total area of 52.5 hectares. The waters of the Kelan River divide it into six small islands, forming a beautiful landscape of interspersed forests and water. It is a garden built with natural birch trees as the main landscape. The tree species are cold-temperate mountain broad-leaved secondary forests, mainly white birch, followed by green poplar. Among the trees grow more than ten kinds of shrubs such as wild roses, Caragana, and spiraea, and various herbaceous plants such as cinquefoil and wild mint grow under the trees and in open spaces.
The park also has a marble gatehouse, two octagonal glass pavilions, and a mushroom-shaped pavilion, providing rest places for visitors.
Historical Culture
Hualin Park is also known as "Dutong Island," allegedly named after a dutong (military governor) who spent the summer here in the past. In the 1940s, during the chaos in A Shan, the birch forest was destroyed by war, leaving it desolate. Later, almost all the trees in the park were secondary forests naturally grown, with a tree age generally not exceeding 50 years. However, the forest thrived and the grass grew luxuriantly, restoring the birch forest to its former glory.
Main Attractions
White Birch Forest Landscape
The park takes white birch trees as its main landscape. Large tracts of white birch forests stand tall, with white and smooth trunks and lush branches and leaves. In summer, the birch leaves are vivid green, and sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, creating patches of light. In autumn, the leaves turn golden and brilliant, like a golden ocean. When the wind blows, the leaves rustle, as if telling stories of autumn.
Kelan River Scenery
The Kelan River flows through the park, dividing it into six small islands. The river is clear and flowing gently. The riverbanks are shaded by green trees and full of flowers and plants, and the river reflects the scenery of the banks, forming a beautiful landscape painting. Visitors can stroll along the river, enjoy the sparkling water, feel the breeze, and savor the peace and beauty of nature.
Featured Photo Spots
The park has set up multiple featured photo spots, such as creative swing facilities, providing a good place for visitors to relax and experience fun. There are also photo spots modeled after the elements of the mini-drama My Altay, accurately restoring classic scenes from the drama, allowing visitors to feel as if they are in the drama and adding more fun to the trip.
Non-Powered Playground
The non-powered playground is a paradise for children, with various entertainment facilities such as slides, swings, and climbing frames. Children can play freely here, unleash their nature, and experience the joy of play.
Petting Zoo
The petting zoo is home to various cute small animals such as sika deer, rabbits, and squirrels. Visitors can interact closely with these small animals, feed them, take photos, and feel the cuteness and agility of the animals, enhancing the fun of visiting the park.
Food
Hand-Pulled Rice (Shouzhua Fan)
A characteristic Xinjiang dish, hand-pulled rice is usually made from rice, lamb, carrots, onions, and other ingredients. The lamb is tender and juicy, the carrots are sweet and soft, and the aroma of onions blends into the rice, making each grain of rice full of rich flavor, with a diverse taste and nutritional value.
Grilled Lamb Skewers (Kaoyangrou Chuan)
Fresh lamb is cut into small pieces, skewered on iron sticks, and grilled over charcoal. During grilling, the surface of the lamb becomes golden and crispy, while the inside remains tender and juicy. Sprinkled with seasonings such as cumin and chili powder, it is fragrant and mouth-watering.
Nang (Nang)
Nang is a traditional Xinjiang pasta with various types, including sesame nang, scallion nang, and meat nang. It is made from flour, yeast, salt, and other ingredients and baked in a nang pit. The nang has a crispy outer skin and a soft inner texture, with a long shelf life, making it an indispensable part of the local daily diet.
Yogurt Zongzi
Cooked zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) are cut into small pieces, placed in a bowl, poured with thick yogurt, and sprinkled with a layer of white sugar or honey. The sweet and sour yogurt pairs with the soft and glutinous zongzi, creating a refreshing taste, making it a delicious dessert.
Admission
Admission to Hualin Park is free, but some projects inside the park require separate fees.
Opening Hours
The park is open year-round from 09:00 to 22:00.
Tour Route
Visitors can enter the park from the main gate, first admire the large white birch forest landscape, and take a walk along the forest path to feel the tranquility of nature. Then go to the Kelan River to enjoy the scenery on both banks and rest on the benches by the river. Next, visit the featured photo spots, take photos, and experience creative swing facilities. Then go to the non-powered playground to let children play to their heart's content. Finally, visit the petting zoo to interact closely with small animals. If time permits, you can also rest at the marble gatehouse, octagonal glass pavilions, or mushroom pavilion in the park to enjoy a leisurely time.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Search for "Hualin Park" on a navigation app and follow the navigation route. The park has a parking lot for convenient parking.
- Chartered car: You can choose to charter a car in Altay Urban Area to go to Hualin Park, which allows for more flexible itinerary arrangements and stops at scenic spots along the way.
- Public transportation: Some bus routes in Altay City reach the vicinity of Hualin Park. After getting off the bus, walk a short distance to the park. For specific bus routes, consult local bus stops or call the bus service hotline.
Must-See Attractions
- White Birch Forest Landscape: As the park's main attraction, the white birch forest has different scenery in each season—green in summer and golden in autumn—making it ideal for photography and a must-visit for tourists.
- Kelan River Scenery: The Kelan River runs through the park, with clear water and beautiful riverbank scenery. Walking along the river allows visitors to feel the peace and beauty of nature and relax.
- Featured Photo Spots: Creative swings and My Altay-themed photo spots are full of fun and creativity, adding more joy and memories to visitors' trips.
Tour Tips
- Choose appropriate clothing according to the season: light clothing and sun protection in summer; long-sleeved jackets in autumn; thick cotton clothing, hats, scarves, and gloves in winter.
- Bring some snacks and drinking water to replenish energy and hydration during the tour.
- If you want to take beautiful photos, it is recommended to bring a camera or mobile phone and learn some photography skills in advance to capture the park's beauty.
- Visitors with children can allocate more time to the non-powered playground and petting zoo to let children fully enjoy the fun of playing.
Notes
- Abide by the park's regulations, do not spit or litter, and protect the park's environment.
- When interacting with small animals, pay attention to safety. Do not feed them inappropriate food or scare or harm them.
- Some areas in the park may have complex terrain, so be careful when walking, especially near the river and in the forest.
- There are many mosquitoes in the park in summer; apply mosquito repellent in advance to prevent bites.