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Located in the northwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture neighbors Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture in the south and is bordered by the Republic of Kazakhstan in the north and west.

Facts of Bortala

Englishi Name:Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Chinese Name: 博尔塔拉蒙古族自治州 (bó ěr tǎ lā méng gǔ zú zì zhì zhōu)
Population: 450,000  
Area: 27,000 square kilometers (10,425 square miles) 
Nationalities: Mongol, Han 
Administrative Division: 2 counties (Jinghe, Araxang); 1 county-level city (Bortala)  
Seat of the Prefecture Government: 201, Qingdeli Dajie, Bortala (Bole) City

History of Bortala

Before the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD) established the Protectorate of West Region in the vast land of northwest China, the area was inhabited by several nomadic tribes. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was under the administration of Shuanghe Protectorate. The name of the prefecture, Bortala, was derived from Bolatuoer which was recorded in the history of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

What to see in Bortala ?
Bortala Prefecture is higher in the north and south, lower in the center, and the terrain gradually slopes downward from the west to the east. It has Alataw Mountain in the north and Keguqin and Boluokenu Mountains located in the south part. The centre of the prefecture is the alluvial plain formed by the Bortala River.

Haritureg National Forest Park	Mysterious Stone Valley	Sayram Lake

When to visit Bortala?

The region enjoys the north temperate continental climate that is characterized by arid weather, long sunlight hours and great temperature variations between day and night. Its annual average temperature falls around 3.7-7.4℃. Summer and autumn are best seasons to tour around. 

How to get to Bortala?

1. Alataw Pass (Alashankou) is the largest inland port in West China. The Second Eurasia Continental Bridge has been connected. The railway starts from Lianyungang of Jiangsu Province in China and ends in Rotterdam of Holland. The Urumqi-Alataw Pass section of the 'continental bridge' has 140 kilometers of railway passing through Bortala Prefecture. It handles mainly freight trains, but there are two passenger trains shuttling between Alashankou and Urumqi. 
2. Alataw Pass is 70 kilometers from downtown, and the railway station and bus stations there are also foreign-related establishments. The bus station of Bortala Prefecture in Beijing Road provides regular buses shuttling between Alashankou Raiway Station and other places in downtown. In addition, there are three other bus stations in the city: the East Station, the West Station and the Nongwushi Station.

Bortala Travel Tips

Local Highlights: During the summer and autumn, the Nadam Grassland Festival is held here. People of Mongol, Kazak, Uygur and Hui in gala attire will gather on the grasslands and participate in or admire the horse racing, wrestling, and horsemanship. Aken Song Fest is the most popular folk song festival of the Kazak. They sing antiphonally or play and sing as they please. These songs are usually improvisations.

Special Local Products: cotton, cashmere, medlar

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0909-2222859; Weather Forecast: 121; Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 148, Beijing Road  
China Post: 89, Tuanjie Road