Bashbay Mausoleum

The Bashbay Mausoleum is located on the northern foothills of the Barkol Mountains, by the Qiegier River, in an Islamic-style cemetery complex about 8 kilometers southwest of the county town. Covering a total area of over 100 square meters, the Bashbay Mausoleum consists of two parts: one is the mausoleum built in Islamic style, surrounded by tall brick floral…

Bashbay Mausoleum

The Bashbay Mausoleum is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Bashbay Mausoleum is situated on the northern foothills of the Barkol Mountains, by the Qiegier River, within an Islamic-style cemetery complex approximately 8 kilometers southwest of the county town. The mausoleum covers a total area of over 100 square meters and consists of two parts: one is the mausoleum built in Islamic style, surrounded by high brick floral walls; the other part comprises two 2.6-meter-high granite tombstones erected by the People’s Government of Yumin County. One of the stone tablets features inscriptions in both Chinese and Kazakh on its front and back, detailing the life of Mr. Bashbay, while the other is a monument marking the site as a “Patriotism Education Base.”

Bashbay Cholak Baping was a renowned Kazakh patriotic democrat in China. He was born in 1889 into a herding family in the Barkol Mountain area of Yumin County; from August 1945 to May 1952, he served as the Commissioner of the Tacheng Prefecture; on November 21, 1953, he passed away in Hangzhou during a visit to inland China at the age of 64.

Bashbay loved the socialist motherland, supported the Chinese Communist Party, cherished world peace, and had deep affection for his hometown and people of all ethnicities. He dedicated his life to the development of various causes for the nation and his homeland. Starting in 1919, he engaged in animal husbandry and, leveraging his extensive knowledge of livestock and years of breeding experience, crossbred Yumin County’s Kazakh sheep with wild argali to develop the Bashbay sheep — known for its fast growth, early market readiness, tolerance to coarse feed, high meat yield, favorable meat-to-bone ratio, tender texture, and superior quality. In 1935, he invested in establishing Yumin County’s first nine-year school. In 1936, he donated funds to build the Tacheng New Electric Light Joint-Stock Company. During the War of Resistance against Japan, filled with patriotism, he donated a plane to the frontline. In 1940, to support the global anti-fascist war, he donated 500 fully saddled warhorses. In 1941, he funded the construction of the Bashbay Bridge. In November 1949, he gifted 2 tons of wheat and 40 cattle to the People’s Liberation Army stationed in Tacheng. In 1951, to defend the nation and support the Korean War effort, he donated a fighter jet to the Volunteer Army. Throughout his life, he helped the poor and needy, assisting impoverished families of various ethnic groups, and was deeply respected by people of all ethnicities.