Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum

Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum

Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum

The Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum was established in August 1993. Originally named the “Ili Regional Museum,” it was located at the former site of the “Political and Cultural Activity Center of the Three Districts Revolution” within the city’s People’s Park. In April 2000, following the merger of the prefecture and region, it was renamed to its current title. The new museum covers an area of 8 mu and is located at No. 122 Feijichang Road.

The museum houses over 2,700 precious cultural relics. Among its collections are many outstanding artifacts from the grasslands, including large bronze items, deer stones, gold and silverware from the Bomao ancient tombs, silk embroidery treasures, as well as grassland stone figures and Chagatai silver and copper coins, all of which are very famous. Some of these rare cultural relics have also been exhibited abroad.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the autonomous prefecture, the museum gathered cultural treasures from the Altai Mountains, Tacheng Mountains, and Tianshan Mountains. This included over 1,000 sets of exquisite relics unearthed since 2000 by archaeologists from more than 1,000 tombs excavated in the Jilintai area of Nileke County and the Qapqihai Reservoir area of Tekes County. The exhibition titled “Grassland? Heavenly Horses? Nomads” — an Ili Grassland Culture Display — was held. The display area spans 1,830 square meters and includes a lobby and three exhibition rooms, showcasing early grassland culture, nomadic-era grassland culture, and the ethnic customs of Ili. Tracing back to the origins, it narrates the emergence and development of nomadic peoples, the long-standing ethnic relations between the Central Plains and nomads, the messages conveyed along the Grassland Silk Road, as well as the rich and diverse ethnic customs. Visitors can experience the historical features and profound cultural heritage of grassland culture.

Further Reading:

· National Third-Class Museum of China