Baihaba is the northernmost inhabited village in China, sitting hard against the Kazakh border in the far northwest corner of Altay Prefecture. A Tuvan community lives here year-round, farming and herding in one of the most isolated corners of the country. Access requires a border zone permit, which can be arranged through tour operators in Altay City or Jiadengyu — allow a few days lead time.
The village is smaller and less visited than Hemu, and rewards the extra effort required to reach it. The setting is magnificent: a tight valley ringed by mountains, with Kazakhstan visible on the other side of the ridge. In autumn the aspen and birch forests turn the hillsides gold and orange. There are a few family guesthouses offering basic accommodation.
The drive from Jiadengyu to Baihaba passes through dramatic scenery — forested passes, river valleys, and open grasslands — and is itself worthwhile. Plan for an early start; the road is slow.