Recently, a well-known song - "The Shepherd of Keketuohai" became popular all over the country. It also reminded me of the scene when we visited Keketuohai in autumn 2016 when we drove by ourselves in Xinjiang. We really have a relationship with the shepherds in Keketuohai, because we arrived at Keketuohai at the end of September, and it was the time when the shepherds drove their sheep from the summer pasture to the winter pasture. On the way to Keketuohai, The first thing I saw was the shepherds and their flocks. From a distance, the formation looks like a majestic team is moving. Where the sheep pass by, hundreds of sheep are mighty and mighty, and the dust is flying, and the one who directs the sheep is the shepherd. People, they ride like generals, some of them whistling and yelling, driving the flock forward, some brandishing whips and sweeping towards the flocks that are lagging behind due to greed, forcing They quicken their pace to keep up with the team. We were very impressed. Of course, in addition to pastures, shepherds and sheep, Keketuohai also has the Irtysh Grand Canyon with magnificent mountains and rocks and beautiful rivers.

Keketuohai Shepherd and the Transitional Flock 

 

 

 

 

 

The Irtysh River is the second largest river in Xinjiang and the only river in my country that flows into the Arctic Ocean from east to west. It originated from the southern slope of the Altai Mountains in Fuyun County, Xinjiang, and Keketuohai is located in the Altai Mountains in the north of Fuyun County. Keketuohaimeng means "blue river bend" and Kazakh means "green forest". The Irtysh Grand Canyon is located in the northwest of the Keketuo Sea. In the canyon, there are many peaks and strange rocks. The meandering river at the foot of the mountain runs continuously, sometimes flowing slowly on the river beach, rushing in a soothing manner, and sometimes falling into turbulent water, splashing in all directions, stirring among the rocks. There are dense forests in the valley, and tall birch forests, spruces and green pines are scattered among the mountains and rivers with golden autumn colors.

The beautiful Irtysh Grand Canyon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The lonely and proud Shenzhong Mountain

 

 

On the way to Keketuohai, there is also a wetland park called "Kokesuli". It is like a pearl scattered on the earth. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the lake water is like a mirror, reeds are overgrown, wild flowers are in full bloom, and there are occasional wild ducks. Playing on the surface of the lake, there was a slight ripple.

Kekesuli Wetland 

 

 

 

 

 

However, it is not the Irtysh Grand Canyon that left Keketuohai in the world, but the treasures in this area. There is a world-class super-large rare metal mine, which contains lithium, beryllium, and tantalum. , niobium, cesium and dozens of rare minerals, known as the "natural geological museum". These minerals are important raw materials for modern industry, and they are also indispensable materials for the manufacture of "two bombs and one star". Therefore, in the era of preparations for war and famine, the actual place names were not marked on the maps at that time, only the mysterious code name "" 111” means that a border guard pass is also required to enter and exit here. Of course, the first discovery of this "Natural Geological Museum" was the Soviets in the 1930s. They mined a large amount of minerals here and transported them back to the Soviet Union until the mid-1950s. Since then, it has also been used for our national defense. Industry provides many important raw materials. Keketuohai No. 3 Mine Pit is the imprint left by mining these raw materials.

The legendary mine pit 3

 

 

Of course, it is not only the mine pit that impresses people, but also the Soviet-style wooden bridge that has been in disrepair and the strong cultural atmosphere in this small town. The town of Keketuohai is not big. The atomic structure model, miner sculptures and mine construction reliefs beside the main street of the town make the town full of scientific and labor spirit and artistic atmosphere.

 

 

 small town street sculpture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 In the evening, on the streets of Keketuohai, someone played an accordion and sang in a low voice. The singing was low and sad. Was he missing the girl who married far away?

In the evening, on the streets of Keketuohai, someone played an accordion and sang loudly. The singing was cheerful and bright. He was singing about his beautiful hometown.

 ----over----