Kizilay Folk Tourism Area

　　Yining City is situated in the northern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and is the capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the prefecture. The Kizilay Folk Tourism Area is located in the old town area of Yining, covering a total area of approximately 22.9 square kilometers (with 4.2 square kilometers currently developed), and is home to 27,511 households and 126,575 residents. This tourism area is a large-scale scenic spot comprehensively renovated, transformed, and developed for tourism by the Yining Municipal Party Committee and Government in 2007 with an investment of over 100 million yuan, following the principle of protective development. The area primarily showcases the folk customs of the Uyghur people in Ili, striving to preserve the original residences, local traditions, and culture to the greatest extent. It aims to become a large-scale, original ecological, and humanistic tourism destination integrating rich culture, profound local customs, and a colorful array of traditions.

　　The depth of Kizilay lies in its history. Kizilay has a long history. According to historical records, during the 17th century, Uyghur people (also known as Taranchi people) who migrated from southern Xinjiang to cultivate land in Ili were the first to settle here. Through the vicissitudes of history, the area is now mainly inhabited by various ethnic groups including Uyghur, Han, Hui, Uzbek, Kazakh, Xibe, Manchu, Russian, Mongolian, Tatar, Tajik, and Kirgiz (with Uyghurs accounting for 77% of the total population of the area). With centuries of history, Kizilay has developed unique local customs under the influence of a long historical heritage and has become a distinctive area where multi-ethnic cultures converge in Xinjiang.

　　The charm of Kizilay lies in its culture. Here, all residences and environmental constructions maintain the traditional style and layout from a hundred years ago. The distinctive features of Central and West Asia blend perfectly with the local “Taranchi” traditional culture of Yining, giving Kizilay extremely high value for research into ethnic and folk culture.

　　The beauty of Kizilay lies in its simplicity. The people of Kizilay are warm and hospitable. Whether you are a stranger or an acquaintance, once you step into their homes, you will be offered tea, and invited to share a meal during mealtimes. The people of Kizilay are open-minded and optimistic, with a deep love for life. Whether inside or outside their yards, regardless of wealth, they plant flowers, trees, and fruit, keeping every corner clean and tidy. During festivals, residents often dress in beautiful traditional costumes, sing melodious ethnic songs, and perform joyful ethnic dances, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

　　The harmony of Kizilay lies in its human connections. In this multi-ethnic community, everyone respects and loves one another, blending harmoniously together. Due to the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic groups, the area's unique folk customs, religious culture, traditional ancient architecture, and time-honored yet diverse traditional cuisine have all seamlessly merged. Everywhere you look, there are beautiful scenes of people from various ethnicities living in harmony.

　　Kizilay will be your important window into experiencing the culture of the ancient Silk Road and understanding the blended historical customs of Central and West Asia. With our broad-minded hospitality and warm, thoughtful service, we welcome visitors from all over the world.

　　Address: Kizilay Tourism Area, next to the People’s Hospital, Xinhua East Road, Yining City

　　Phone: 0999-8020688