Zhijiang Museum in Zhaosu County

Zhijiang Museum in Zhaosu County

The Zhijiang Museum in Zhaosu County is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Accompanied by the rhythmic rumble of train tracks, follow the sheepskin cotton-padded jackets, military canteens, kerosene lamps, hoes, and other daily necessities and production tools from the 1970s hanging on the train windows, as you step into the Zhijiang Museum at Dengta Ranch in Zhaosu County.

Over 40 years ago, more than 100 educated youths from Beijing and Shanghai responded resolutely to the call of the Party Central Committee and came to the frontier of the motherland—Zhaosu Plateau. Under harsh conditions, these educated youths immersed themselves among the local farmers and herders, sharing advanced culture and scientific knowledge with them, and dedicating their youth and passion to the development of Zhaosu and the stability of the border region.

The museum is located at the former office site of Dengta Ranch in Zhaosu Town, covering an area of 1,360 square meters with a construction area of 260 square meters. It consists of four main sections: the Restored Living Area of Educated Youths, the Historical Exhibits Zone, the 1973 Youth Theme Restaurant, and the Outdoor Exhibition Area. The exhibition follows a “historical timeline” approach, using text, images, and physical artifacts to present a comprehensive, clear, and authentic portrayal of the daily lives and work of the educated youths at that time. Through a wealth of precious photographs, objects, and historical background information, visitors can gain deeper insight into the experiences and challenges faced by that generation.

In 2012, Zhaosu County proposed a vision for all-for-one tourism development. While reviewing historical records, it was discovered that many educated youths had come to Dengta Ranch between the 1950s and 1970s, which led to the idea of establishing a museum dedicated to them. It took two years from groundbreaking to the official opening. The list of educated youths featured in the Dengta Ranch Zhijiang Museum has been revised four times, and now includes nearly 100 names.

Currently, the Dengta Zhijiang Museum in Zhaosu County is the only exhibition hall in Xinjiang themed around the educated youths who went to the countryside in the 1970s. The museum has become a popular destination for red tourism in Zhaosu.

Source: Today’s Xinjiang Net    Author: Li Wenwu