Burqin County Riverside Night Market

Burqin County Riverside Night Market

Burqin County Riverside Night Market

Situated by the Ertix River, the area boasts cool air and beautiful scenery. Every evening, the place is packed with visitors, filled with the sounds of vendors, creating a lively and extraordinary scene that has become a beautiful attraction in Burqin County.

The Ertix River Roast Fish, made mainly with “big red fish,” “dogfish,” “five-spotted fish,” and “flower-wing fish,” is a traditional barbecue specialty of the Ertix River region. It uses locally inspired ethnic recipes, prepared with salt, cumin, chili powder, cooking oil, grilled kidney, grilled meat, and grilled naan. The dish offers a numbing but not dull, spicy but not overwhelming, oily but not greasy, fragrant and tender taste that lingers on the palate. Paired with the locally brewed “Russian Lady” beer, it becomes an even more unique experience. Here, you can not only enjoy the famous Ertix River Roast Fish, whole roasted lamb, and various Xinjiang specialties, but also take in the scenic views of the Ertix River—the only river in China that flows into the Arctic Ocean. Since its establishment in 1999, the riverside night market has grown increasingly popular alongside the rapid development of Kanas tourism. Nowadays, many travel agencies include the riverside night market as a key part of their nighttime tour offerings. According to statistics, during peak season, the market welcomes up to 5,000 visitors daily.

The booming night market economy has made the stalls highly sought-after among many unemployed individuals, leading to continually rising stall fees, with up to 200 stalls operating during peak season. Statistics show that the night market stalls provide nearly 300 job opportunities, generating an annual economic income of over 25 million yuan.