Yiwu Yishuiyuan Scenic Area The Yishuiyuan Scenic Area mainly consists of an aquatic entertainment zone, a leisure fishing area, a memorial park, and a functional area. Covering a total area of 1,600 mu, the scenic area enjoys convenient transportation and is located at the former battle site of the Southern Mountain during the 40-Day Defense Battle of Yiwu. The aquatic entertainment zone features yachts, water walking balls, water tricycles, two- (and three-) person pedal boats...
Guide Huancui Lake is located about 8 kilometers northwest of the Yan Chi Township government, at an elevation of 1,896 meters above sea level, covering an area of approximately 30 square kilometers. The Uyghur people call it “Tuerkule,” which means “tranquil lake.” Description The lake water is odorless and semi-transparent. Due to the presence of 3.78 million tons of salt minerals and mirabilite, the water has...
Guide: Weizixia Township is located 35 kilometers north of Yiwu County. It gets its name from being situated in a mountain valley where reeds and wild apricot trees grow abundantly. Introduction: The area has year-round flowing water, with dense clusters of willow trees and lush water plants along both sides of the valley. Inside the valley, wild apricot trees and other vegetation thrive, with clear, fast-flowing streams and beautiful scenery. Especially noteworthy within this tourist attraction…
At the recently concluded archaeological excavation at Baiqier Cemetery in Xinjiang, experts unearthed a bronze ornament in the shape of a Siberian ibex. This is the first time such a prehistoric bronze artifact has been discovered in an archaeological dig in Xinjiang. With its plump body and sturdy limbs, the intricately crafted ibex is riveted onto a tubular ornament, rendered with striking lifelikeness. This...
The Solar Calendar Square is located in Weizixia Township of the county. In 2008, Weizixia Township was recognized by the National Astronomical Observatories as one of the best observation spots in China for the first total solar eclipse of the 21st century. On August 1 of that year, Weizixia Township became the focus of global attention. &…
One-Character Gully, Two-Character Gully One-Character Gully and Two-Character Gully are actually two high-altitude pastures—scenic and uniquely beautiful mountain valley grasslands. The two gullies are located about 1.5 kilometers and 2 kilometers south of Qianshan Township, deep within the Tianshan Mountains. They are connected end to end, mirroring each other from afar, and their shapes resemble the Chinese characters “一” (one) and “二” (two), hence the local names...
Red Stone Red Stone is located 70 kilometers west of Yiwu County, in Qianshan Township, which is just 25 kilometers from the Baishi Scenic Area. Qianshan Township is the only Kazakh ethnic township in Yiwu County. To the north lie hundreds of thousands of acres of natural grassland, while to the south it borders a forested area. With abundant water and lush grass, and a cool climate, even when Hami is scorched by the summer sun, this place offers a refreshing breeze, making it an ideal destination for leisure and summer retreat. Especially in summer, the vast green pastures of the Nengelger Grassland are dotted with blooming flowers, presenting the classic pastoral scene of “swaying grass revealing grazing sheep and cattle.” The famous “Dongshan” horses also come from this region.
Nalinggeer Grassland "Nalinggeer" is a Mongolian term meaning "narrow valley." Located at the western end of Yiwu County and adjacent to the Yiwu Military Horse Farm, it is a high-altitude grassland situated in the Yiwu River Valley, nestled between two large mountains—hence the name "Nalinggeer." The Nalinggeer Grassland covers a total area of 1.76 million mu, with an average elevation of 2,150...
War Horse During the 40-Day Defense Battle of Yiwu, the North Mountain bunker was always a focal point contested by both enemy and friendly forces. Whether the soldiers holding the North Mountain bunker could be supplied—especially with water—was key to winning the battle. The terrain on North Mountain is steep and the roads rugged. At the most difficult moments of the battle, the rebel bandits...
Located 18 kilometers northwest of Barkol County, Barkol Lake is a highland lake at an elevation of 1,585 meters. Surrounded by undulating mountains and lush grasslands, the lake boasts crystal-clear blue waters. It presents a unique spectacle known as "a hazy mirage shrouding the mountain ridges." The lake is formed by the convergence of natural springs from the surrounding areas, stretching approximately 12 kilometers from east to west and about 2…
Guide: Barkol Grassland is located in the northeast of Xinjiang, home to eight scenic spots including "Tianshan Snow Pines," "Vast Sea Turtle City," "Moonlit Mirror Spring," and "Victorious Yue Platform." Introduction: At an altitude of 1,650 meters, Barkol Grassland features crystal-clear snow mountains, lush pine forests, and ever-changing misty landscapes. This view is known as "Tianshan Snow Pines." Legend has it that during the ancient times after the Yellow Emperor founded the nation, when emperors Tang Yao, Yu the Great, and King Mu of Zhou toured the "Land of the Queen Mother of the West," she gifted them a silk embroidery from the Central Plains during a banquet at the Jade Pool. Later, the Queen Mother transformed the embroidery into a "heavenly horse" pasture. To this day, Barkol Grassland is still known as the "Hometown of Heavenly Horses."
Nestled at the northern foot of the majestic Eastern Tianshan Mountains lies a magical and picturesque land rich in natural resources. Historically, it served as the gateway to Eastern Xinjiang, a vital hub along the Silk Road, and a pearl of the grasslands—this is the historically and culturally renowned city of Barkol in Xinjiang. In 2003, it was honored with the title of “National Advanced County in Cultural Relics Work” by the Ministry of Culture and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage. …
The Hami Singing Sand Dunes are located over 70 kilometers due north of Hami City, at the border between Barkol County and Yiwu County. Stretching approximately five kilometers in length and about 35–115 meters in width, with a height of around 180 meters, these sand dunes are formed from quartz sand. The dunes form an elongated shape running east to west, gently sloping to the north and steeply to the south, with elevations ranging from 1,930 to 2,163 meters and a relative height difference of about…
About 8 kilometers southwest of the county town lies a gully called Xihēi Gully. The gully features high mountains, long valleys, and lush vegetation. In the warm season, it is covered in dense dark greenery, and even in winter when blanketed in snow, the evergreen pines and cypresses maintain their verdant color, sharing an inseparable bond with the dark hues—thus earning the name “Black Gully.” The mountains here are high, with snow crowns that sparkle year-round, and glaciers…
Guide Beacon towers were an ancient alarm system, often existing alongside the Great Wall to form a complete military defense network. However, some also functioned independently for early warning and defense, with the beacon towers in Xinjiang being a prime example. Introduction The beacon towers of Xinjiang are scattered across the Tianshan Mountains, aligned with the central and northern routes of the Silk Road...
Guide: Strange Stone Mountain is 60 kilometers from the county town, connected by a 10-kilometer dirt road to the asphalt highway leading from the county to the coal mine. It is located at the easternmost end of Xiaojia Mountain, 7 kilometers northwest of Barkol Lake. Introduction: The most peculiar feature of Strange Stone Mountain is the numerous small stone caves scattered across the mountain. These caves, varying in size, come in round and square shapes, resembling Buddhist shrines, beehives...
Guide Back in the day, Barkol was home to numerous temples representing a wide variety of religions, almost encompassing all religious forms found across China, earning it the reputation of having the most temples in the entire Xinjiang region. Due to its unique historical background, “Dizang Temple and Immortal Maiden Temple” is the only surviving ancient religious site in Barkol and also one of the largest temples preserved in Xinjiang...
Guide The ancient residential houses of Barkol were built during the flourishing period of the Xinbei Route of the ancient Silk Road from the Kangxi to Qianlong eras of the Qing Dynasty, and gradually formed between the Jiaqing era and the end of the Republic of China. These historic dwellings coexist with Barkol, known as “the region with the most temples in all of Xinjiang,” and represent cultural relics from the same period. They are a concentrated expression of traditional Han Chinese architectural art in the Western Regions...
The Han and Manchu Cities The ancient city of Barkol consists of two contiguous city walls. The western one is called the Han City, named after its Han Chinese residents. Han City was built in the 9th year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1731 AD) as a "Green Standard Army" garrison town constructed by the troops of General Yue Zhongqi, the Ningyuan Grand General. The city wall spans over 4 kilometers in circumference, taking a rectangular shape — 1,553.5 meters from east to west…
Agate Beach