Having wrapped up the world ’ s largest human migration , the Spring Festival season , China is the scene for a breathtaking animal migration this week . Stunning images from The People ’ s Daily Online show herdsmen transferring 400,000 livestock in knee-deep snow and blizzards in north-west China . Covering more than 300 kilometres ( 186 miles ) , the annual animal migration started late last week and is expected to last ten days . Harsh weather : A herdsman drives sheep on a snow-covered path in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture . Strong will : Most of the herdsmen are ethnic residents , such as Kazakhs , who are moving their livestock to spring pastures . Long march : The animal migration covers more than 300 kilometres and is expected to last for 10 days . Far flung : The images were taken in the most north-western part of China near the Kazakhstan border . The extreme journey takes place in the remote Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in north-west China . Ethnic herdsmen must move livestock - consisting mainly of sheep and horses - from the winter pasture in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture southwards to the grassland in Ili , where the animals will spend spring . The journey follows a passage through Guo Zi Gou , one of China ’ s most beautiful gorges and a key section on the Silk Road . Crucial passage : The journey passes Guo Zi Gou , one of China 's most beautiful gorges that was a section of the Silk Road . Animal adventure : The livestock among the 400,000 animals on the move include sheep and horses . The massive migration is a major task for local administrations . Snow has to be ploughed in advance and emergency forage is arranged in several key locations along the way . Xinjiang is one of the country ’ s strongest regions for animal husbandry . There are approximately 57.2 million livestock in the province in total . All prepared : Local authorities have arranged snowploughs and emergency foraging for the animals along the way . Almost there : Herdsmen are expected to complete the challenging task by the end of the week .
Herdsmen are expected to complete the 180-mile migration of their livestock through blizzards in 10 days . Stunning photos documenting the journey were taken in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region . Journey passes through Guo Zi Gou , one of China ’ s most beautiful gorges and once part of the Silk Road .