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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do near Awat [2025]
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Kalajun National Park
4.6
/5
2714 reviews
7.8
From £14.48
Based on 11 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609997765295
Address: Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 days
Highlights:
360° view of Koksu Canyon
Glass deck overlooks canyon beauty
Saved by 163 users2151 positive reviews
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A gorgeous dreamscape on the ridge of the Tianshan Mountains: A road trip through Kalajun
The most brilliant colors of heaven and earth, woven into a flowing poem
As the hustle and bustle of the city fades away, and the wheels of the world roll over the chaos, Kalajun, the land known as the "Black Savanna," quietly awaits your arrival. Here, unconstrained by concrete and steel, only a sea of colorful flowers billows in the wind; free from the hustle and bustle of the city, only pastoral songs and the sound of horse hooves echo across the vast expanse.
The aesthetic curves where heaven and earth meet
Kalajun, known as the "three-dimensional grassland," is far from flat and boundless. At altitudes between 1,300 and 3,900 meters, the rolling hills and ravines of the Tianshan Mountains give the grassland a three-dimensional sense of depth.
First of all, the scenic area is incredibly large. We opted for a self-drive ticket, entered the parking lot, and boarded a scenic shuttle bus to Flower Terrace and Falcon Terrace. The grassland scenery along the way was breathtaking, and the several photo stops were new to us Suzhou residents. It was truly stunning! Taking the kids horseback riding and hiking, soaking in the natural beauty, alleviated the anxiety of the city's fast pace and allowed me to slow down and experience the world. After a round of touring, we discovered a camping area with a teahouse at the horseback riding station, perfect for a break, some snacks, and some hot tea with friends. It was a beautiful experience!
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Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
4.6
/5
2065 reviews
7.4
From £4.14
Based on 13 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977798838
Address: Mountainous area north of No. 1025, 217 National Road, Kuqa County, Aksu, 64 kilometers north of Kuqa County
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Fiery red mountains & unique valley
Canyon adventure through red mountains
Saved by 205 users1588 positive reviews
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The scenery of the scenic spot is quite good, and it is worth a visit for taking photos. You can take a sightseeing bus, ride a camel, or walk. I think it is a good idea to take a sightseeing bus.
The Tianshan Grand Canyon, renowned for its magnificent natural scenery, attracts countless visitors. The canyon's peculiar peaks and rocks showcase the wonders of nature. The unique Danxia landforms create a breathtaking spectacle. Hiking through the canyon offers a chance to fully experience the charm of nature. The immersive experience is like stepping into a magnificent painting.
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King Palace In Kuqa
4.1
/5
1472 reviews
7.0
Based on 11 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977210013
Address: Kuqa, Aksu, Xinjiang, China, 842000
Recommended sightseeing time: 2 hours
Highlights:
40,000 sq ft with exhibits
Qing-era Uyghur prince's residence
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The Kuche Palace and Sugong Pagoda are both scenic spots, but there's no combined ticket available; you need to purchase them separately.
You can purchase online or go to the ticket office and ask for a commemorative ticket. 👍
The grapevines filling the courtyard speak of past splendor and bustle. Since school has started, there aren't many people around, so taking a closer look was quite moving.
Located in Kuqa City, Xinjiang, the Kuqa Prince's Palace is a national 4A-level scenic spot. In 1759, Emperor Qianlong commissioned craftsmen from mainland China to build it in recognition of the Uyghur leader E Dui's contributions to suppressing a rebellion. Rebuilt on the original site in 2004, it now covers 40,000 square meters. The architecture blends Central Plains and Islamic styles. The palace houses exhibition areas such as the Kuqa Museum, where visitors can learn about the historical lives of 12 generations of hereditary "Kuqa Kings" through displays of artifacts and family histories.
No.
4
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Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area Grand Canyon
4.6
/5
667 reviews
7.0
From £3.73
Based on 7 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609976796105
Address: Near the 306 county road in the Kirgiz ethnic township of Bozidun, Wensu County, Aksu City
Recommended sightseeing time: 4-5 hours
Highlights:
Tomur Peak & Taklamakan Desert
Unique red sandstone formations
567 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The transportation vehicle for the scenic area is a medium-sized off-road vehicle. There is no road in the Grand Canyon, only gravel roads. Ordinary cars cannot enter. If you don't take a car, you can also hike for about four or five hours. It is recommended to visit four or five scenic spots.
It truly is the ceiling of the Yadan Grand Canyon, a breathtaking landscape. The secret realm at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains is scorching sand and majestic cliffs. The wind-carved lines hold the earth's ancient and mysterious stories.
No.
5
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Zhaosu Wetland Park Scenic Area
4.3
/5
417 reviews
6.8
From £4.15
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609996024789
Address: 17 kilometers from 758 County Road, Zhaosu County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Tour 3 wetland stops
Summer "Pegasus River" performance viewing
336 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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We all came here to watch the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River. There seemed to be about a hundred of them running majestically, but the distance they ran was quite short, only six times in total. They were so fast at grabbing sheep that the show was over just as we reached the front of the performance venue.
It's very nice. After watching the Tianma Bathing in the River performance, you can go to the Tianma Cultural Park through the Rainbow Bridge. The scenery along the way is beautiful, and you can also watch equestrian performances and various famous horses for free, which is worth the ticket price.
No.
6
Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
4.6
/5
125 reviews
6.4
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8613629995000
Address: 伊犁哈萨克自治州昭苏县
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
A color-changing lake in the hinterland of the Tianshan glaciers
Experience Xinjiang horse culture with a lakeside ride
115 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Yuhu Lake is surprisingly beautiful, but also relatively secluded, so it's not a busy place for self-driving cars.
Many areas within the scenic area are still under development, which slightly impacts the scenery.
The scenic area's observation deck is a bit small, with only a few cars parked, which can easily lead to traffic.
I heard it is an artificial reservoir, but it is really beautiful. The color of the lake water is different in different locations. The facilities inside are not very complete. After seeing the lake, driving along the road inside is also a scenic line. You can also rest and eat by the lake, which is very comfortable. The car is 100/car and 30 per person. Children are half price and seniors over 65 are free. It is good. If the facilities are more complete, more people will come. The service of the staff is also good.
No.
7
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Kuche Temple
4.2
/5
370 reviews
6.2
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609977688145
Address: Pahatabazza Road, Kuqa County, Aksu Region
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Second largest mosque & center
Dome 50.8 ft shows Western architecture
252 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The Kuche Grand Mosque has a history of more than 500 years and can be said to be a real national treasure. The columns of the Grand Mosque are carved from thousand-year-old poplar trees. The minaret of the Kuche Grand Mosque is magnificent, and the stairs of the minaret are also made of poplar trees, but tourists are no longer allowed to climb. The Kuche Grand Mosque also has the only preserved religious court. The Kuche Grand Mosque is a must-see attraction when visiting Kuche.
Kuche Grand Mosque is located in Kuche City, Xinjiang. It is a famous Chinese Islamic mosque and the second largest mosque in Xinjiang. It was built in the 16th century and combines the architectural styles of the Central Plains and Islam. The mosque has a prayer hall that can accommodate 3,000 people, as well as the only well-preserved religious court site in Xinjiang. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit and is well worth visiting.
No.
8
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Qiongkushitai Village
4.7
/5
123 reviews
5.9
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8618099412818
Address: Qiongkushitaicun, Tekes, Ili, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Kazakh village & wooden architecture
Kazakh village on Tianshan slopes
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Change a way to experience life: poor mobile phone signal, (put down the mobile phone), live in a cabin or a boudoir, bow the body in the morning, look at the door, your own lawn, you can go as far as you want to go!
It takes an hour to get into the fairyland in the mountains. There are herds of cattle and sheep, green mountains, and birds flying. It's like a paradise. Slow down your pace, calm your mind, ride a horse and take a look. It's pretty good.
No.
9
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Zhaosu Tianma Cultural Park
4.3
/5
53 reviews
5.8
From £6.21
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8609996023066
Address: 20 kilometers west of Zhaosu County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
62% positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Entering from the Tianma Cultural Park, you can watch equestrian performances, sheep-grabbing competitions, and the feeding of Arabian horses, and then go to see the Tianma Bathing River in the Wetland Park. Tickets for the Tianma Bathing River are not required, but you need to choose a good angle for the Tianma Bathing River. It is recommended to go and see it.
Self-driving tours are 70 yuan per person and are connected to the wetland park. You only need to buy one ticket for the two attractions. The Ferghana horse eats hay at 5 o'clock and likes fresh carrots at 10 yuan a bag.
No.
10
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Subash Buddhist Ruins
4.6
/5
199 reviews
5.7
From £2.49
>100 km from downtown
Phone +8615099379064
Address: Mountain beams on both sides of Longkou, Kuche River, 23 kilometers north of Kuche County
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Explore the Mother River site
Well-preserved Buddhist site & pagoda
168 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins, also known as the Zhaohuli Great Temple, are located 20 kilometers northeast of Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Dating from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, the temple was first constructed during the Wei and Jin Dynasties and reached its peak during the Sui and Tang Dynasties. The site, centered around a pagoda, is surrounded by temples, caves, halls, monks' quarters, and other structures, all of which are relatively well-preserved. A river runs through the site, and the ruins are scattered on earthen mounds on the east and west banks of the river, designated the West Temple and the East Temple, with the main buildings concentrated in the West Temple.
The Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins are enormous and are the largest, best-preserved, and oldest surviving Buddhist architectural complex in Xinjiang. They possess significant historical, artistic, scientific, and social value, representing a prime example of earthen ruins in the arid region of northwest China and even in Central Asia. Their construction techniques encompass nearly all forms of earthen ruins.
On November 20, 1996, the Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins were designated as a fourth-batch National Key Cultural Relics Protection Site by the State Council of the People's Republic of China. On June 22, 2014, the Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins were included in the World Heritage List as a site in the "Silk Road: Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor Road Network" jointly applied for by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins are so stunning! This thousand-year-old ruin was once the largest Buddhist temple in the Western Regions. Now only the earthen walls and broken walls remain, but walking among the ruins you can still imagine the glory of the past. It is golden and photogenic under the sun. A must-see for those who like history and photography!
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