Things to do in Xayar

Selected for Fall Viewing Attractions in Xinjiang

Shayanzhou Scenic Area

Tarim River Wetland Tourism Scenic Area - Original Populus Euphratica Forest Ecological and Cultural Scenic Areais a wetland poplar forestA comprehensive cultural tourism resort featuring poplar trees (including Gobi, desert, and water poplars), the Tarim River, lakes (reservoirs), wetlands, waterfowl (sand geese), agriculture (cotton), nomadic culture (sheep herding), wildlife, and other integrated landscapes.It is the most important core attraction in Xayar County's World Poplar Forest Park.The attraction is located in Xayar County.Tarim RiverThe Gaizikum Village in Gaizikum Township on the southern bank covers a total area of approx. 42 square kilometers and is a national 4A-level attraction.

139 Populus Euphratica Secret Realm Scenic Drive

The 139 Poplar Forest Secret Realm Self-Driving Highway winds its way through vast poplar forests and Gobi deserts, offering magnificent and unique scenery along the way. On both sides of the highway, groves of poplar trees grow proudly, their trunks strong and their leaves changing in layers of gold, orange-red, and deep green with the seasons, as if unfolding a natural colorful corridor for travelers. This self-driving route not only provides tourists with a convenient passage to appreciate the beauty of the poplar forests, but also allows them to fully experience the vastness and grandeur of the plateau and desert. Rest stops and viewing platforms are provided along the way, making it convenient for travelers to stop their cars, hike through the forest, or photograph the natural landscape. The highway design blends seamlessly with the natural terrain, ensuring both driving comfort and preserving the original features of the ecological environment.

Tarim River

Tarim River is China's largest inland river. It is formed by the confluence of the Aksu River (originating in the Tianshan Mountains), the Yarkand River (originating in the Karakoram Mountains), and the Hotan River, before flowing into Taitema Lake. Geographically, the Tarim River basin encompasses the 114 headstreams of the nine major water systems that converge toward the center of the Tarim Basin, the main stream of the Tarim River, the Taklamakan Desert, and the eastern desert region. Tarim River water flow varies significantly with the seasons. Whenever the scorching summer arrives, snow and glaciers melt, causing the river's flow to surge dramatically, racing and roaring through deserts and grasslands like an "unbridled wild horse." Many water conservancy facilities have been built in the Tarim River basin. Through the diligent efforts of people from all ethnic groups, the former deserts have been transformed into fertile fields, with orchards full of fruit and the scent of rice blossoms filling the air along both banks of the river.

World Populus Euphratica Forest Park

Shaya County is subordinate to Kuqa, which in ancient times belonged to Qiuci State. The Shaya area is a blend of Chinese culture in the Central Plains, Buddhist culture in South Asia, Persian culture, Greek and Roman culture, Thousand Buddha Caves, Grand Canyon, and the largest original Populus euphratica forest in the world.

Primeval Populus Euphratica Forest Ecological and Cultural Scenic Area

Shaya Cultural and Creative Industrial Park

The ancient name of Shaya is "Shayan Prefecture", which was first seen in "New Book of Tang Dynasty: Western Regions": "Tang's Tuqishi Shayan Prefecture". Shaya County has a long history and profound cultural heritage. It is an important town on the ancient Silk Road, an important part of the ancient country of Qiuci, and a place where Eastern and Western cultures converge. Four ancient civilizations, including Persian civilization, Egyptian civilization, Indian civilization and Chinese civilization, merged here. Many traditional Chinese cultural elements such as Chinese culture, Western Region culture, Qiuci culture, and reclamation culture blend and shine together. The ruins of the ancient city of Wushikat, located north of Yingmaili Town, Shaya County, is a large-scale one among the ruins of the ancient city group of Qiuci. It consists of a palace city, an inner city and an outer city. The locals call it "Wushikat", which means "three-layer city". It is one of the larger ancient city ruins in southern Xinjiang. "The Book of Jin" records that "the custom of Qiuci country is to have a city wall, and its city is three-layered, with thousands of pagodas and temples in it." According to the Biography of Ban Chao in Volume 47 of the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, "The next year, Chao was appointed as the Protector General of the Western Regions... Chao lived in Taqian City, Qiuci." In addition, the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Biography of the Western Regions, also records that "Ban Chao 'lived in Taqian City, Qiuci'". From this, we can know that in the third year of Yongyuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty (91 AD), the Han Dynasty appointed Ban Chao as the Protector General of the Western Regions, and Taqian City, where Ban Chao lived, was the seat of the Western Regions Protectorate in the early Eastern Han Dynasty. In 1953, two Han Dynasty copper seals, "Han Guiyi Qiang Chief" and "Li Chong's Seal", were unearthed at the site of the ancient city of "Ushkat" (Sanchongcheng), which fully demonstrated the important position of the city when the Han Dynasty ruled the Western Regions. Li Chong was the Protector General of the Western Regions during the reform period of Wang Mang in the Han Dynasty. These two seals are now in the collection of the National Museum of China, and the labels indicate that they were unearthed in Shaya County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Since modern times, there have been six relatively important field archaeological surveys of the "Triple City" in the Shaya County area, which recorded the preservation status of the ancient city of "Wushkat" (Triple City) in different periods. In the "Archaeological Records of the Tarim Basin" written by Mr. Huang Wenbi, a famous archaeological expert in my country, there are detailed records of the location, size and layout of "Wushkat" (Triple City). Archaeologist Mr. Wu Bolun also investigated the ancient city of Wushikat in Shaya County in 1953. Mr. Wu Bolun believed that: "Based on the location and architectural form of (the ancient city of Wushikat), it may be the Yancheng, the capital of the ancient Qiuci State, and the location of the Tang Dynasty's Western Regions Protectorate. It is further explained that the ancient city of 'Wushkat' (Triple City) is Taqian City". In July 2014, the ruins of the ancient city of Wushikat (Taqian City) were included in the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Taqian City is an important landmark for the central government to effectively govern the Western Regions and is the military and political center of the central government's governance of the Western Regions. From 16 AD, Li Chong, the Protector General of the Western Regions, moved the Protectorate of the Western Regions to Taqian City and stationed there for 8 years. In 91 AD, the Eastern Han government established the Protectorate of the Western Regions in Taqian City. When Ban Yong suppressed the rebellion, the Western Regions had "three openings and three connections". It was extended to 152 AD when Wang Jing became the Chief of the Western Regions. Taqian City has experienced nearly 70 years of ups and downs. In order to construct Chinese cultural symbols to reflect the visual image of the Chinese nation, condense the national spirit and tell the Chinese story well, Shaya County built and completed the Taqian City Retro Project 25 kilometers southwest of the county seat. Taqian City covers a total area of ​​747 mu and a total construction area of ​​34,000 square meters. It is planned and laid out according to the "three-layer city" form of the "Ushkat" ancient city ruins. The project aims to fully respect history and try to restore the historical facts that the central government of the Western Han Dynasty exercised effective jurisdiction over the Western Regions. The core performance IP of the Itqian City Attraction, "Seal of the Western Regions, Silk Road Huazhang", is mainly composed of 4 core performances: the opening ceremony, the seal of the Western Regions, the return of justice, the dream of Qiuci and the camel bells of thousands of miles, the millennium post station, and the 5D light and shadow show. The main business formats in the city include: city wall sightseeing, the Great Seal Museum, the camp of the Chendu Weiying, the camp of the Eight Lieutenants, the Yinshui River, hotels, characteristic homestays, horse market street, gold market street, folk snack street, palace garden, Dezheng Hall (South Palace, North Palace), three dynasties and five gates, Hanfu lamp wall, faith road guide, palace music and dance theme restaurant, and trade totem, etc. Through a series of antique buildings, the life forms of the ancient Shaya officials and the people under the rule of the Xicheng Protectorate are reproduced, and through the later situational and immersive performances, people of all ethnic groups and tourists from all over the country can fully feel the profound historical and cultural heritage of Shaya and experience the unique ancient Western Regions.

Devil's Forest

Shaya County Moon Bay Scenic Area

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Aksu Prefecture

Kuqa Prince's Mansion

King Palace In Kuqa is located in the old town of Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. It served as the residence for generations of Kuqa's local Uyghur princes since 1759. The original palace was reduced to ruins, and the current structure was meticulously reconstructed on its original site based on the memories of the last Kuqa prince, Dawut Mahsut. Covering a vast area of approximately 200–300 meters in length and width, the palace complex features multiple Uyghur-style buildings with vibrant interior designs, offering excellent photo opportunities throughout. The grounds include beautifully landscaped gardens and green spaces, creating a pleasant environment. The palace tour is divided into three main sections: the Kucha cultural exhibition area, the palace visiting area, and the ancient city wall. Visitors can explore the site on foot, with a recommended visiting time of around 2 hours. The Qiuci Culture Exhibition Area showcases the cultural customs of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom in Xinjiang's history, featuring numerous textual and pictorial descriptions, precious artifacts of Qiuci Buddhism, as well as exhibits of production tools, coins, and folk crafts from the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. The old city wall is an ancient structure within the princely residence and can be briefly viewed. The key visiting area is the princely residence section, which is displayed in its original form, including items once used by successive Kuqa kings. Wax figures recreate the daily life scenes of the princely family, allowing visitors to explore and experience the atmosphere of the Kuqa kings' lives. It's important to note that Dawut Mahsut, the last Kuqa king (also the last prince officially recognized by China's central government) who once resided in the princely residence, passed away on July 30, 2014. Visitors today can no longer meet him but can only tour the princely residence.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Northern Xinjiang

Nalati Scenic Area

Nalati Scenic Area is located in the heart of the Tianshan Mountains and the eastern end of the Ili River Valley, a subalpine meadow grassland formed on ancient alluvial deposits. Legend has it that when the westward-expanding Mongol army crossed mountains to reach this place, they suddenly saw a sunlit plain carpeted with flowers. The soldiers exclaimed "Nalati," which means "the place with sunlight" in Mongolian, giving the area its enduring name. The attraction integrates snow-capped mountains, forests, valleys, meadows, and rivers, primarily divided into several sections: the River Valley Grassland, Sky Grassland, Panlong Valley Trail, and Wolta Jiaota. Along the River Valley Grassland by the Gongnaisi River, visitors can find Tawusani (meaning "beautiful mountain valley" in Kazakh), ancient tombs from the Wusun people of the Han dynasties, and the Grassland Tribe recreating Wusun tribal life. Following the uphill ride on the mountain road leads to the Sky Grassland, a high-altitude meadow suspended among peaks. The Tianjie Terrace at the boundary between the valley and grassland offers expansive views, while Snow Lotus Valley at the trail's end is often shrouded in mist, with snow lotuses blooming in midsummer. The Panlong Valley Trail is a forest loop without backtracking, flanked by towering Tianshan spruces. The Wolta Jiaota section is ideal for hiking, with the Tianxian Terrace providing stunning views of sunrise above sea of clouds. From June to September each year, the grassland enters its golden season, with lush green pastures and blooming wildflowers everywhere. Kazakh herders drive herds of cattle, sheep, and horses into summer pastures, where scattered yurts and curling smoke create a picturesque scene. Visiting the attraction during this time allows you to ride horses, try archery, and dress in traditional ethnic costumes. You might also encounter traditional equestrian activities like horse racing, kokpar (goat grabbing), and kyz kuu (girl chasing), experiencing the authentic Kazakh nomadic culture between snow-capped mountains and meadows.