Bashanbu Square in Burqin County

Bashanbu Square in Burqin County

Bashanbu Square in Burqin County

Originally known as People's Park, it was built in 1998 when it served as a military supply station. The shabby buildings there directly impacted the overall image of Burqin County’s urban area. To resolve this, the county Party committee and government coordinated extensively with the Xinjiang Military Region and the Lanzhou Military Region, carrying out a great deal of work to relocate the military supply station. An investment of 1 million yuan was made to build a park equipped with green spaces, flower beds, corridors, lighted fountains, and a playground.

On May 4, 2006, the county’s People's Park underwent expansion and renovation with an investment of 1.6 million yuan. Covering an area of 20,000 square meters, the renovation retained original features such as green spaces, corridors, and lighted fountains, while further improving roads and the plaza. Granite plaza tiles and multicolored pebbles were used to pave the plaza and pathways, enhancing the park’s overall quality. The landscaping emphasized local characteristics, with native species such as birch and European aspen planted. The park was also renamed Bashanbu Square in honor of Baxianbu Dulupai, a renowned Kazakh folk composer and the originator of dombra music. Born in 1803 and passing away in 1872, Baxianbu Dulupai composed over 400 pieces of folk music primarily for the dombra. Among his famous works, "The Lone Hero" and "The Agile Brown Horse" remain widely popular among the Kazakh people to this day.

The renovated park will also feature a new high-definition outdoor color LED screen, providing residents with public information such as weather forecasts — a public welfare cultural project that enhances the city’s image. The Bashenbu Duningbai Monument was erected specifically to commemorate Baxianbu Dulupai, the Kazakh folk composer and founder of dombra music. The monument stands 8 meters tall and covers an area of 150 square meters. Baxianbu Dulupai, born in 1803 and deceased in 1872, composed over 400 pieces of folk music primarily for the dombra. Among his well-known compositions, "The Lone Hero" and "The Agile Brown Horse" continue to be widely cherished in Kazakh communities.

The dombra is a two-stringed plucked instrument — simple to learn, easy to carry, and a traditional musical instrument of the Kazakh people, with nearly every household owning one. The Kazakhs are a music-loving, singing, and dancing ethnic group. In their culture, musicians and poets are held in the highest esteem. Back in the day, Baxianbu Dunanbai would travel across the grasslands year-round with his dombra, spreading the music he composed and bringing joy to countless families. He was also often engaged in mediating tribal disputes and resolving conflicts, which earned him the affectionate title of “Messenger of Peace” among the Kazakh people.