Peacock River Scenic Tourism Belt

Peacock River Scenic Tourism Belt

The Peacock River is also known as the Drinking Horse River. Legend has it that Ban Chao of the Eastern Han Dynasty once watered his horses here, hence the name Drinking Horse River. The source of the Peacock River is Bosten Lake, and it is a rare river system without tributaries. It flows through Korla and Yuli County, meandering toward the Lop Nur Desert. The Peacock River is 785 kilometers long, with uninterrupted flow year-round and an annual runoff of 1.2 billion cubic meters, maintaining a stable flow throughout the seasons. While many rivers in the north freeze over in winter, the Peacock River remains crystal-clear and shimmering all year, with the riverbed visible and the water still reflecting the sky and the landscape along its banks. In the cold of winter, when the city is blanketed in snow, and the chill is biting, various species of waterfowl can still be seen feeding and playing on the river daily, creating a scenic spectacle. Wrapped in snow and bitter cold, the world is enlivened by flocks of waterbirds freely swimming in the Peacock River, attracting pedestrians on bridges and along the banks to pause and admire the scene with delight.

In the 1990s, Korla City began developing the Peacock River Scenic Tourism Belt. Both riverbanks are constructed of granite, lined with green belts, and feature twenty sets of stone steps and stainless steel composite pipe railings along the river slope between the New Lion Bridge and the Construction Bridge. Currently, the area includes four parks (Botanical Garden, Peacock Park, Youth Park, and Ethnic Culture Park), five bridges (Lion Bridge, Pear Fragrance Bridge, Construction Bridge, Sunflower Bridge, and Founding Bridge), and seven scenic spots (Fishing Garden, Pear Fragrance Garden, Viewing Platform, Sail Square, Hundred Flowers Garden, Peacock Square, and Unity Garden). The Peacock River Scenic Tourism Belt has become a popular leisure and cooling spot for the people of “Pear City.”

The Peacock River runs through downtown Korla, dividing the city into northern and southern halves. The northern part is dominated by municipal and regional government units, while the southern part is mainly home to the Tarim Oil Exploration and Development Headquarters and petroleum-related facilities. There are five bridges spanning the seven-kilometer stretch of the Peacock River within the urban area, including the Peacock River Bridge, Lion Bridge, Construction Bridge, and Unity Bridge. The upstream Peacock River Bridge is currently the largest bridge on National Highway 314 crossing the Peacock River, with a span of 150 meters and a width of 24.5 meters. It is the largest arched steel bridge in northwestern China, featuring no piers in the riverbed. It serves as a key landmark of the Peacock River within Korla’s urban area and an iconic feature of the Peacock River Riverside Scenic Tourism Belt.

Starting from practical considerations, Korla City has leveraged the advantage of the Peacock River running through the city to develop the Peacock River Scenic Tourism Belt project. The scenic belt boasts well-developed infrastructure, lush green lawns, blooming flowers, and pleasant scenery, forming a striking green beautification line and tourist attraction within the city. A place becomes beautiful through its elegance; a city becomes civilized through the accumulation of history and culture.

The urban section of the Peacock River today resembles a ribbon of jade, with scenic views every few steps. In the early morning, a light mist hangs in the air, refreshing and pleasant; in the evening, the setting sun spreads across the water, almost transporting visitors to a dreamlike paradise. Early risers come here to breathe in the fresh air and absorb the essence of nature; in the evening, people stroll and cool off while admiring the night scenery. The flowing crowds create a festive atmosphere along the banks of the Peacock River.