{"id":58275,"date":"2026-03-03T15:57:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T14:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/?p=58275"},"modified":"2026-03-04T16:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:06:32","slug":"skiing-china-keketuohai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/","title":{"rendered":"Skiing in China: The ski resort with the longest season in Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>While the Alps are either winding down or yet to get going, imagine standing at the top of a 4.5 km-long run in <strong>Keketuohai<\/strong> \u2013 tucked away in <strong>Northwest China, Xinjiang, in the Altai Mountains<\/strong>. That rare thrill of stumbling upon somewhere nobody back home has heard of? You&#8217;ll find it in abundance in <strong>Keketuohai<\/strong>, quite possibly the most exciting ski destination English-speaking travellers have never considered. Snow falls here from <strong>October through to May<\/strong> \u2013 up to <strong>240 days<\/strong> a year. The longest ski season in the whole of Asia!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keketuohai sounds remote. And honestly, it is. But that&#8217;s precisely the point \u2013 this is skiing as it was always meant to be: <strong>unspoilt, expansive, and gloriously queue-free<\/strong>, set against a winter landscape so breathtaking it&#8217;ll genuinely stop you in your tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7a6c889cdb\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69e7a6c889cdb\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#What_is_Keketuohai_%E2%80%93_and_why_has_it_stayed_so_under_the_radar\" >What is Keketuohai \u2013 and why has it stayed so under the radar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Getting_there_easier_than_youd_think\" >Getting there: easier than you&#8217;d think<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Skiing_snowboarding_the_numbers_speak_for_themselves\" >Skiing &amp; snowboarding: the numbers speak for themselves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Off_the_slopes_theres_so_much_more_to_explore\" >Off the slopes: there&#8217;s so much more to explore<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Irtysh_Grand_Canyon\" >Irtysh Grand Canyon<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#The_No_3_Mine_%E2%80%93_history_up_close\" >The No. 3 Mine \u2013 history up close<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Kazakh_culture_yurts\" >Kazakh culture &amp; yurts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Food_drink_Xinjiang_on_a_plate_%E2%98%95%EF%B8%8F\" >Food &amp; drink: Xinjiang on a plate \u2615\ufe0f<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Where_to_stay_TUI_BLUE_Keketuohai_Sanbaisuo\" >Where to stay: TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#My_top_tips_for_planning_your_trip\" >My top tips for planning your trip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Photo_spots_not_to_be_missed\" >Photo spots not to be missed ?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/skiing-china-keketuohai\/#Tempted_Pack_your_bags_and_go\" >Tempted? Pack your bags and go. ?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Keketuohai_%E2%80%93_and_why_has_it_stayed_so_under_the_radar\"><\/span>What is Keketuohai \u2013 and why has it stayed so under the radar?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The name translates as <strong>&#8220;Green Forest&#8221;<\/strong> in Kazakh and <strong>&#8220;Blue River Bend&#8221;<\/strong> in Mongolian. The region sits within the <strong>Altay Prefecture of Xinjiang<\/strong>, in the far northwest of China, nestled between the Russian and Mongolian borders. For most English-speaking travellers, it simply hasn&#8217;t been on the map \u2013 no billboard campaigns, no glossy magazine spreads, no friend who&#8217;s &#8220;been up there&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297.jpg\" alt=\"Canyon in the Keketuohai National Park\" class=\"wp-image-58239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-canyon-river-shutterstock_2613818297-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Canyon in the Keketuohai National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet, Keketuohai has held <strong>UNESCO Global Geopark<\/strong> status since <strong>2017<\/strong> \u2013 a distinction well known among geologists and nature lovers worldwide. Travel journalists have even dubbed the region <strong>&#8220;China&#8217;s Yosemite&#8221;<\/strong>: dramatic granite formations, sweeping birch forests, and a deep, carved river canyon. In winter, all of it disappears beneath metres of snow. ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_there_easier_than_youd_think\"><\/span>Getting there: easier than you&#8217;d think<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&#8217;s some brilliant news before we go any further: <strong>no visa required<\/strong> \u2013 travellers from the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia, and New Zealand can all enter China visa-free for up to 30 days:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>?? <strong>British nationals<\/strong>: visa-free for up to 30 days, extended until end of 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>?? <strong>Irish citizens<\/strong>: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>?? <strong>US citizens<\/strong>: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>?? <strong>Australian citizens<\/strong>: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>?? <strong>New Zealand citizens<\/strong>: visa-free for up to 30 days, also until end of 2026<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll just need a valid passport (with at least six months remaining) and proof of a return flight. For a long-haul adventure, it really doesn&#8217;t get much more straightforward than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nearest airport is <strong>Fuyun Koktokay Airport<\/strong>, roughly <strong>80 km<\/strong> from the ski resort. The transfer takes around <strong>two hours<\/strong> \u2013 but trust us, the drive through the snow-covered Altay landscape is your very first wow moment of the trip. Hotel coordinates for Google Maps: 47.211347, 89.86867.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skiing_snowboarding_the_numbers_speak_for_themselves\"><\/span>Skiing &amp; snowboarding: the numbers speak for themselves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where things get really exciting \u2013 because Keketuohai is no modest little provincial ski hill. This is <strong>China&#8217;s most impressive ski resort<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>? <strong>44 runs<\/strong> (26 for intermediate to advanced skiers) \u2013 currently 23 groomed, with a <strong>total of 61 km<\/strong> of pistes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u26f0\ufe0f Summit at <strong>3,100 m<\/strong>, valley at 1,900 m \u2013 a vertical drop of up to <strong>1,350 m<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Run No. 1<\/strong> is the <strong>longest ski run in China<\/strong>: 4.5 km end to end, 900 m vertical drop, 52 m wide<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2744\ufe0f Snow depth: <strong>300 to 450 cm<\/strong> \u2013 natural snow, light, dry, and utterly dreamy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>3 high-speed gondolas<\/strong> whisk you to the top in no time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? Season: <strong>October to May<\/strong> \u2013 up to <strong>240 days of snow<\/strong>, the longest season in all of Asia<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961.jpg\" alt=\"Ski lift at Keketuohai resort\" class=\"wp-image-58251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-skilift-mai-shutterstock_2622040961-600x800.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The ski lift at Keketuohai \u2013 and yes, this is what it looks like in May<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re a first-timer or a seasoned expert, there&#8217;s something here for everyone. Freestyle enthusiasts will be thrilled by the <strong>terrain park, halfpipe, and mogul fields<\/strong>, while those after a gentler pace can enjoy <strong>cross-country skiing<\/strong> or a leisurely tree-ski through the pine forests. And here&#8217;s the cherry on top: the resort is currently being expanded to <strong>80 runs and 121 km<\/strong> of pistes \u2013 meaning you&#8217;re visiting at the perfect moment, right at the start of something very special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Off_the_slopes_theres_so_much_more_to_explore\"><\/span>Off the slopes: there&#8217;s so much more to explore<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Do make time for this<\/strong>, because Keketuohai has far more up its sleeve than just skiing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Irtysh_Grand_Canyon\"><\/span>Irtysh Grand Canyon<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"713\" data-id=\"58243\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-1024x713.jpg\" alt=\"Breathtaking rock formations in the canyon\" class=\"wp-image-58243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-1024x713.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-1536x1069.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-1440x1002.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-1200x835.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681-600x418.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-national-park-shutterstock_530911681.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Breathtaking rock formations in the canyon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"58235\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Birch forest in the national park\" class=\"wp-image-58235\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-birkenwald-shutterstock_2587201677.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Birch forest in the national park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Irtysh Grand Canyon<\/strong> stretches for around 100 km and is flanked by 108 granite peaks \u2013 in winter, it becomes an almost otherworldly snowscape that has to be seen to be believed. Frost-laden birch and pine trees lining the canyon edges make for an absolutely stunning photo opportunity. ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_No_3_Mine_%E2%80%93_history_up_close\"><\/span>The No. 3 Mine \u2013 history up close<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1281\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392.jpg\" alt=\"Mine No. 3\" class=\"wp-image-58247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-1440x961.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-no3-mine-shutterstock_2034930392-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mine No. 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The ultimate off-piste secret: the <strong>No. 3 Mine<\/strong>, a vast hat-shaped open-cast pit sitting right in the heart of the Geopark. At <strong>201 m deep<\/strong> and home to <strong>84 rare minerals<\/strong> \u2013 including lithium, beryllium, and tantalum \u2013 this mine was the backbone of China&#8217;s raw materials supply during the Cold War, at one point providing <strong>70% of all Chinese rare earth resources<\/strong>. Today, it&#8217;s a fascinating open-air museum. Absolutely unmissable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kazakh_culture_yurts\"><\/span>Kazakh culture &amp; yurts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1257\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124.jpg\" alt=\"A traditional Kazakh homestead with yurt\" class=\"wp-image-58255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-1024x670.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-1536x1006.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-1440x943.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-1200x786.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-768x503.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/keketuohai-yurts-shutterstock_386148124-600x393.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A traditional Kazakh homestead with yurt<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Altay region has deep Kazakh roots \u2013 and you&#8217;ll feel it from the moment you arrive. In the villages surrounding Keketuohai, Kazakh communities carry on age-old nomadic traditions. If you get the chance to visit a <strong>traditional Kazakh village<\/strong>, don&#8217;t think twice. Horses, yurts, and a warmth of hospitality that makes the world feel that little bit bigger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_drink_Xinjiang_on_a_plate_%E2%98%95%EF%B8%8F\"><\/span>Food &amp; drink: Xinjiang on a plate \u2615\ufe0f<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1198\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-58231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-300x187.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-1024x639.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-1536x958.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-1440x899.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-1200x749.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-768x479.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/china-dapanji-shutterstock_1660557481-600x374.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The cuisine of Xinjiang is a full-on sensory adventure \u2013 vibrant, spiced, and wonderfully hearty. The hotel restaurant serves Chinese and international dishes with mountain views, but if you&#8217;re feeling culinarily adventurous, these local classics are an absolute must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>? <strong>Big Plate Chicken (DaPanJi)<\/strong>: Xinjiang&#8217;s signature dish \u2013 chicken in a rich, deeply spiced red sauce with flat noodles and potatoes. Warming, filling, and completely unforgettable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Lamb Kebabs (Kawap)<\/strong>: Cumin-spiced lamb skewers straight off the grill \u2013 the smell alone is an event in itself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Laghman<\/strong>: Hand-pulled noodles in a rich meat and vegetable sauce \u2013 the perfect apr\u00e8s-ski comfort food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Naan &amp; Samsa<\/strong>: Freshly baked flatbread and baked pastries filled with lamb \u2013 brilliant for a mid-slope snack.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Feeling brave? Give <strong>Kumis<\/strong> a go \u2013 the traditional fermented mare&#8217;s milk drink of the Kazakh people. I tried it in Kyrgyzstan once, and let&#8217;s just say: you need to experience it for yourself before you can truly have an opinion on it ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_stay_TUI_BLUE_Keketuohai_Sanbaisuo\"><\/span>Where to stay: TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-id=\"58259\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3.jpeg\" alt=\"Grand Deluxe Suite with mountain views\" class=\"wp-image-58259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-1440x810.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeSuite3-600x338.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Views from the sofa too: the Grand Deluxe Suite<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-id=\"58267\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2.jpeg\" alt=\"Room with a view of the ski lift\" class=\"wp-image-58267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-1440x810.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-1200x675.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/tui-blue-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_GrandDeluxeKing2-600x338.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Room with a view of the ski lift<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1083\" data-id=\"58263\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview.jpeg\" alt=\"TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo overview in winter\" class=\"wp-image-58263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview.jpeg 1920w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-1024x578.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-1536x866.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-1440x812.jpeg 1440w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-1200x677.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-768x433.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/TUI-BLUE-Keketuohai-Sanbaisuo_Overview-600x338.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Every room has its own villa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The real gem of the <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tui-blue.com\/en\/en\/hotels\/tui-blue-keketuohai-sanbaisuo\/\">TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo<\/a><\/strong> is that you&#8217;re not staying in a conventional hotel block \u2013 you have your own <strong>private villa<\/strong>, one of <strong>59 villas<\/strong> nestled picturesquely into the winter landscape. Each villa comes with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>45 m\u00b2 of living space<\/strong> with mountain views straight onto the piste<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>King-size bed<\/strong> (2\u00d72 m) or twin beds, plus a pillow menu \u2013 because proper rest after a long day on the slopes really does matter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Glass-walled bathroom<\/strong> \u2013 imagine your morning shower with a snowy mountain view<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dressing gown, slippers, Wi-Fi, heating, and air conditioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Daily housekeeping service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The hotel sits <strong>right on the ski resort&#8217;s doorstep<\/strong> \u2013 no early-morning transfers, no struggling into ski boots in a car park. Just boots on, door open, and straight onto the piste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_top_tips_for_planning_your_trip\"><\/span>My top tips for planning your trip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>? <strong>Best time to visit<\/strong>: November to March for peak season, with <strong>March\/April<\/strong> being a brilliant insider tip \u2013 back home the season is winding down, but here everything is still in full swing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>?\ufe0f <strong>Temperatures<\/strong>: Expect \u201315 to \u201325 \u00b0C \u2013 wrap up properly!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Clothing<\/strong>: Layering is essential \u2013 merino wool next to the skin, fleece as a mid-layer, waterproof ski jacket on top. And please, invest in <strong>quality gloves<\/strong> \u2013 this is not the place to cut corners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>Hand warmers<\/strong> are a must \u2013 and crucially, one for your phone too. Smartphones are not fans of \u201320 \u00b0C<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? Store your <strong>camera in an airtight bag<\/strong> when coming indoors to protect it from condensation damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>? <strong>No visa needed<\/strong> for British, Irish, American, Australian and New Zealand passport holders \u2013 up to 30 days visa-free (extended until end of 2026). Just a valid passport with at least six months remaining and proof of a return flight.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_spots_not_to_be_missed\"><\/span>Photo spots not to be missed ?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gondola at 3,100 m<\/strong>: The panoramic views across the Altay range are simply breathtaking<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Irtysh Grand Canyon with its 108 granite peaks<\/strong>: Best light in the early morning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>White Birch Woods<\/strong>: 1.5 km\u00b2 of pure winter romance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No. 3 Mine in the snow<\/strong>: Industrial history meets natural scenery \u2013 a shot no stock library could ever replicate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keketuohai Town in winter<\/strong>: The village looks as though it&#8217;s been lifted straight from a classical Chinese winter painting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kazakh yurts at dusk<\/strong>: Golden light, white snow \u2013 pure magic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tempted_Pack_your_bags_and_go\"><\/span>Tempted? Pack your bags and go. ?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keketuohai isn&#8217;t the sort of place you&#8217;ll find in every travel brochure. And that&#8217;s precisely what makes it so special. Book now and you&#8217;ll still be ahead of the curve \u2013 before this hidden gem is a secret no more. The <strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tui-blue.com\/en\/en\/hotels\/tui-blue-keketuohai-sanbaisuo\/\">TUI BLUE Keketuohai Sanbaisuo<\/a><\/strong> offers the perfect base: European-standard comfort, your own private villa, and direct piste access \u2013 right in the heart of one of the world&#8217;s most spectacular winter destinations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Skiing when it&#8217;s not the season in Europe? Yes, in Asia&#8217;s largest ski resort.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":58265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"loftocean_post_format_gallery":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_ids":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_urls":"","loftocean_post_format_video_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_video_url":"","loftocean_post_format_video_type":"","loftocean_post_format_video":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_type":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_url":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_audio":"","loftocean-featured-post":"","loftocean-like-count":0,"loftocean-view-count":701,"loftocean-enable-content-navigation":"","loftocean-content-navigation-position":"","loftocean-content-navigation-heading":"","loftocean-content-navigation-label":"","loftocean-content-navigation-icon":"","loftocean-map-location":"","loftocean-map-latlng":"","loftocean-map-auto-latlng":"","eaven_single_post_hide_thumbnail":"","eaven_single_post_template":"","eaven_single_post_sidebar":"","eaven_hide_before_page_content_ad":"","eaven_hide_after_page_content_ad":"","eaven_advanced_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2542],"tags":[2735,1605,538,1565],"class_list":{"0":"post-58275","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-destinations","8":"tag-china","9":"tag-ski-en","10":"tag-skiing","11":"tag-winter-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58275","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58275"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58275\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":58277,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58275\/revisions\/58277"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58275"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58275"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58275"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}