Travel to Aksu in Xinjiang, the Dolan tribe welcomes with anticipation and enthusiasm on a sandy day
After the May Day holiday, are you looking forward to the summer vacation? It seems not too far away. Last month's trip to Xinjiang, encountering endless beauty, when I set foot on this mysterious and fertile land of Xinjiang, it was like entering another world. Compared to the sunless days in Hunan, the sky is so blue that it intoxicates; the clouds are as white as cotton candy drifting freely in the sky, and the red Danxia landform attracts everyone. However, on the day we were about to leave, it seemed that there was also a reluctance to part, as Aksu was hit by a sandstorm, but we still went to the Dolan tribe according to the itinerary.
The Dolan tribe, a mysterious and charming place, is located in Awat County, south of Aksu City, known for its unique Dolan culture, a tourist area that combines folk customs, natural scenery, and leisure entertainment. It embraces the intangible cultural heritage 'Dolan culture', including Dolan Muqam, Dolan Maixirewafu, Dolan Rewafu art, Musaileisi brewing technology, and the folk song and dance group 'Dolan Singing Group', performing 'The Love of Musaileisi'. It displays the historical relics of the Dolan people, recreates the original living scenes of the Dolan people, and fully showcases the Dolan people's architecture, diet, handicrafts, and living customs. The scenic area is beautiful, with numerous entertainment activities. We can visit the folk museum to learn more about the stories of the Dolan people; admire the spectacular scenery of the thousand-year-old Populus euphratica forest; a brief introduction:
1. Dolan Culture Origin Museum: Displays architectural models, dining utensils, and handicrafts passed down through generations of Dolan people, each exuding a strong folk atmosphere. Fully showing the lifestyle and skills inheritance of the Dolan people... In the Dolan tribe, you can take electric cars, horse-drawn carriages, and camel teams to tour the scenic area, but we had to take a small train because of the number of people.
2. Dolan Populus Euphratica Museum: Themed around the Populus euphratica forest, it showcases the unique charm and value of the Populus euphratica forest through the display of its ecology, culture, and history. You can admire various precious specimens of Populus euphratica trees, understand their growth habits and ecological value, and through text, pictures, and multimedia, vividly display the importance and conservation significance of the Populus euphratica forest in Xinjiang and the entire northwestern region. When I pointed out to my friends that the Populus euphratica trees were actually small white poplars, it showed my ignorance, a sign of visiting too infrequently and not being able to distinguish clearly.
Legend has it that the history of the Dolan tribe can be traced back to the 13th century when the Mongols rose on the Mongolian Plateau and established the Mongol Empire. The vast area south of the Tianshan Mountains and in Central Asia was the fiefdom of Genghis Khan's second son, Chagatai. From the end of the 14th century to the end of the 16th century, Chagatai's fiefdom split into many small kingdoms and 'lands' that did not belong to each other, waging wars against each other. To avoid the chaos of war, people fled, and some of the refugees and slaves gathered in the uninhabited desert Populus euphratica forest in the lower reaches of the Yarkant River, forming the Dolan tribe. The Dolan people's belief in resisting oppression and striving for freedom and happiness attracted poor people from different places and ethnicities to join their ranks, and the Dolan tribe gradually grew stronger.
Cuisine: The food is still characteristic of Xinjiang, with Musaileisi wine being the specialty of the Dolan tribe, and the food mainly features special grilled fish, red willow roasted meat, grilled lamb chops eaten by hand... Nang pit meat, noodles... all are delicious in color, aroma, and taste.
Speaking of the Dolan tribe, it has already become a paradise on earth, attracting everyone to visit with its unique Dolan culture, beautiful natural scenery, and rich entertainment activities. I also witnessed the Xinjiang people diligently farming with tractors... Whether it is us seeking a cultural journey, adventurers seeking thrills, or families looking for leisure and relaxation, parent-child research learning... everyone can find their own fun and gains here. Dolan Tribe