The Altay region boasts a rich and diverse array of local specialties. Here are some worth buying:
Altay Large-fruited Seabuckthorn: Named for its habitat in the foothills and river valleys of the renowned Altai Mountains, it boasts exceptional quality, large fruit, and high yield. Widely used for food, cosmetics, and medicinal purposes, it is a precious tree species with diverse ecological, economic, and social benefits.
Qerkeqi Milky Speckled Kidney Beans: Produced in Qierkeqi Township in the Irtysh River Valley, the beans grown here boast thin skins, uniform grains, and a beautiful color. Their exceptional grain count per 100 grams has earned them the nickname "Hometown of Speckled Kidney Beans."
Altay Sheep: A renowned domestic breed of mutton, both for its meat and fat, it also enjoys a certain reputation internationally. Its meat is delicious and nutritious, making it a specialty of the Altay region. Camel milk: Known as the "white gold of the desert," it boasts nutritional value comparable to cow's milk, high in calcium and low in saturated fatty acids. It even has medical benefits, such as helping diabetics reduce their need for insulin and benefiting those with peptic ulcers.
Dingshan edible sunflower: With its bright color, plump grains, and refreshing aroma, it is another specialty agricultural product of the Altay region. It undergoes a refined process of cleaning, boiling, baking, frying, polishing, and packaging, giving it a strong competitive advantage.
Qinghe ferula mushroom: It has a pleasant taste and rich nutrition. The mushrooms are long, white, and firm, free of odor, disease, or spots. Wild ferula mushrooms are widely distributed in Qinghe County and are a rare mushroom, known as the grassland boletus.
Kanas honeydew melon: Produced in Burqin County, where the long sunshine hours, large temperature swings between day and night, and favorable soil conditions allow the honeydew melons grown here to have a sugar content approximately 7 degrees higher than those found elsewhere, earning it the reputation of "Ashan's unique specialty." Hemu Honey: Clear and transparent at room temperature, with a pure floral aroma and a mellow sweet taste. The beekeeping techniques inherited by hunters from the White Russian nobility are still being passed down to this day, making this honey a truly organic food.
Hanas Soybeans: A specialty of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, with a Geographical Indication designation. Soybeans are one of Burqin County's four pillar industries, and the soybeans grown here are plump, uniform, and of excellent quality.
Other specialties include Beitun White Pike and Jimunai County's spring wheat, both worth trying. These specialties not only possess unique flavors and textures, but also carry the culture and history of the Altay region, making them must-see souvenirs from any trip.