We watched the Kökbörü game in Altay, north of Xinjiang. The riders try throwing the stuffed goat skin into the opposing team’s goal by showing their agility.
After a 1-hour high-speed train ride from Turfan, we return to Urumqi. The destination from Urumqi Airport is Altay! Altay is located north of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and forms China’s borders with Mongolia, Russia, and Kazakhstan.
The weather is much colder than Turfan and Urumqi, we feel below minus 20 degrees. What warms our hearts in this autonomous region with a harsh continental climate are the local people and the pure beauty of Altay’s magnificent nature. The city, which takes its name from the Altay Mountains, which are the subject of mythology, has a rich history and geography.
When you arrive in Altay, you are greeted by a magnificent mountain view. Pine forests, crystal clear rivers (freezing in winter), Altai Mountains, and plateaus make the city a painter’s canvas. The Altai Mountains surrounding the town are a paradise for campers in the summer and skiers in the winter.
The cultures of different ethnic groups, mostly Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han, live together in the city. This diversity is also reflected in the region’s cuisine. As Turks, we have no problems with food. Freshwater fish, vegetable species, chicken, beef, rice, and dumplings are close to the Turkish palate. It should also be added that the region is especially famous for its meat and dairy products.
THE MOON THAT SENDS THE SUN AWAY
Xinjiang is defined as “two basins between three mountains.” Here we are in Jiangjun, a section of those mountains that form the Altai Mountains in the North. We discover an important feature of Jiangjun Hill, a ski resort created mostly for young people. The moonrise accompanies the sunset. The Altai youth warm up the mountaintop by dancing to music.
DISCOVERING TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE
We reluctantly move away from the Altai mountains and their beautiful horses and stop by the traditional herbal medicine museum. The region’s nature, in addition to its beauties, also contains a rich accumulation of traditional Chinese medicine.
The Altai Traditional Medicine Museum in the region offers a detailed look at ancient medical methods and herbal medicine production. This museum exhibits China’s medical heritage of thousands of years, including herbal medicines, acupuncture tools, and ancient medical texts.
While visiting the museum, you learn how the medicinal plants grown in the Altai region are collected and processed. We learn that Altai’s clean air and rich flora, in particular, ensure that these medicinal plants are of high quality.
Chinese officials describe “the efforts of local people to provide natural solutions to health problems using these plants with traditional methods.”
You can also buy tea and similar products at the exit of the museum, which is especially good for headaches, colds, or similar ailments.
ON THE FOOTSTEPS OF HORSES IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAINS
Altay, with its indispensable place in the history of the Central Asian peoples, famous for their horses, also has a special meaning in the Altay region. Local authorities explain in detail that the Altay horses raised in the area are known for their endurance and agility. These horses, the most important companions of the nomadic steppe people throughout history, are still proudly raised by the local people today.
Watching the herds of wild horses running freely on the vast steppes of Altay covered with snow is one of the best ways to understand this region’s spirit. Especially if you are a horse lover… In addition, some local farms offer visitors the experience of horse riding. This activity is a sport and provides us with a unique perspective on the region’s culture.
One of the events organized in Altay is traditional horse races. Of course, we have the chance to watch the conventional Asian game Kökbörü (Gökbörü), which is similar to javelin throwing. The best horsemen of the local people, divided into two teams with red and yellow vests, keep this ancient sport alive by showing off their speed and agility and trying to throw the stuffed goat skin into the opposing team’s goal.
This article was retrieved from the Aydınlık Newspaper website.
Source: https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/haber/altayda-zaman-yolculugu-gecmis-ve-gunumuz-bir-arada-atlarin-izinde-501024
