Introduction to Wensu Grand Canyon

Step into the Wensu Grand Canyon and touch the folds shaped by millions of years of wind erosion. Basic Overview · Location: Situated in the mid-southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains within the territory of Wensu County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, specifically in the Bozidun Kyrgyz Ethnic Township, approximately 80 kilometers northeast of Wensu County. · Area and Scale: Covering a total area of over 200 square kilometers, the canyon consists of three main "川"-shaped valleys, 12 tributary valleys, and several smaller tributary valleys, forming a typical fissure-style gorge. · Name Origin: Locally known as "Kuduluk Grand Canyon," which means "thrilling and mysterious" in Uyghur. It is also referred to as the Tomur Grand Canyon. Geology and Landforms · Geological Formation: The canyon's strata were formed 26 million years ago from sedimentation in an inland lake. As the Tianshan Mountains rose, the lakebed was uplifted into high mountains. Subsequent erosion from heavy rains, floods, and strong winds from the west shaped the unique rock salt karst and yardang landforms. · Landform Features: The canyon boasts a variety of landforms, including salt rock karst, Danxia, yardang, sub-yardang, and salt dome diapir structures. It is a stunning combination of glacial snow peaks, red-layered canyons, and desert landscapes. Natural Scenery · Canyon Views: The canyon features diverse landscapes such as narrow gorges, wide valleys, steep cliffs, and sheer precipices. The canyon walls reach heights of up to a thousand meters, with the lowest points still standing at 60-70 meters. The riverbed is flat at the entrance but rises deeper into the canyon, flanked by peculiar rock formations. · Unique Peaks and Rocks: The canyon is home to various formations, including columnar peaks, earth forests, and isolated peaks. These formations resemble castles, flocks of birds, Roman-style palace columns, and sword-like stone pillars piercing the sky. Some even resemble grand palaces. · Vibrant Colors: The rock layers display interwoven hues of red, yellow, white, and green, which appear even more vivid under sunlight. Biodiversity · Animal Resources: The canyon is one of the world's key natural habitats for snow leopards and serves as a central distribution area in Central Asia. Other wildlife includes saker falcons, Himalayan snowcocks, golden eagles, and more. · Plant Resources: The area hosts 382 species of rare higher plants belonging to 60 families and 238 genera. Over 10 species, such as Xinjiang wild apple, wild apricot, Ferula, Lithospermum, and snow lotus, are listed in the "National Key Protected Plant Directory." Tourist Information · Ticket Information: Basic admission is 36 RMB per person, shuttle bus costs 60 RMB per person, and self-driving (limited to four-wheel-drive vehicles) is 100 RMB per vehicle. · Opening Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with the core observation area recommended to be reached before 2:00 PM. · Best Visiting Time: Suitable for visits year-round. April-May features blooming apricot and peach blossoms; June-August is ideal for hiking and adventure; September-November offers cool weather perfect for photography; December to March showcases the canyon in a snowy wonderland.