Xiate Scenic Area

　　Xiate in Zhaosu County is a magical tourist destination. It lies at the foot of the Tianshan Mountain Range, which stretches across both northern and southern Xinjiang and is dotted with towering peaks. The Xiate River, gushing down from the surrounding mountains, cuts through the vast grasslands and flows into the expansive Tekes River. The Xiate Gorge forms an ancient cultural landscape along this river, featuring mountain passes, ancient trails, historical ruins, local customs, and natural scenery. "Xiate" is a transliteration of the Mongolian word "Shatu’aman," meaning “steps.” It was historically a transportation post on the route from ancient Ili to Aksu and is now the site of the Xiate Kirgiz Ethnic Township government.

　　The area is located over 70 kilometers southwest of Zhaosu County. Along the way, you’ll first pass through an alluvial plain formed by the Xiate River, scattered with grassland stone statues, the grand ruins of the Wusun tombs, and the ancient city site of Xiate. The Xiate Gorge, also known as the Tang Monk Ancient Trail, is one of the most rugged routes along the Silk Road. It crosses the Muzart Pass on the main ridge of the Tianshan Mountains. About 30 kilometers from the gorge entrance lies the renowned Xiate Hot Springs in Ili. Nestled in a tranquil setting, a hot spring sanatorium has been built here, offering springs with varying temperatures (42–64°C) and highly therapeutic effects. Continuing 20 kilometers up the Xiate Gorge, the mist-shrouded Muzart Peak (an ancient Turkic term meaning “ice ridge”) rises before you. It is said to be the very ice ridge pass that was part of the famous “Gongyue Route” during the Tang Dynasty—the “Ling Mountain” crossed by the monk Xuanzang on his westward journey. This was also the most crucial mountain pass connecting the northern and southern regions of Xinjiang along the Tianshan Route of the Silk Road—the Xiate Ancient Trail. Stone steps along the gorge are remnants of the ancient path.

　　The Xiate Grasslands are vast and boundless, resembling an endless sea of mist. The pastures here are lush, offering a true scene of “the sky so blue, the fields so wide, the wind blows the grass low to reveal cattle and sheep.”

　　The Xiate Scenic Area is located within the Xiate Kirgiz Ethnic Township in Zhaosu County on the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountain Range, which is dotted with towering peaks. It features a cultural landscape of mountain passes, ancient trails, historical ruins, and natural scenery, making it a legendary tourist destination in Ili.

　　The Flaming Grasslands

　　Originating from glaciers in the northern Tianshan Mountains, the Xiate River gushes out from the midst of towering peaks, cutting through the flat grasslands before flowing north into the Tekes River. Standing on the Xiate Grasslands, you can gaze into the distance at the majestic Khan Tengri Peak, nearly 7,000 meters high, emerging from the clouds. “Khan Tengri” means “Heavenly King” in Mongolian. During summer evenings, as the sun sets in the western sky and darkness begins to fall, you may suddenly find the entire grassland seemingly ablaze like a sea of fire. The steep snow-capped peaks are also bathed in glowing red hues by the sunset, creating a truly magnificent and spectacular sight.

　　Xiate Gorge – A Wildlife Paradise

　　Traveling up the Xiate River leads you into the Xiate Gorge. The gorge resembles a corridor, flanked by pine-covered mountains with overlapping greenery, while the Xiate River runs clear with visible fish. Owing to its remote location, the Xiate Gorge remains in a pristine natural state. It serves as a paradise for wildlife, where you can often spot animals such as squirrels, marmots, snow rabbits, and pheasants, and occasionally even rare species like snow leopards, Siberian ibex, and argali.

　　The Seasonally Open “Heavenly Bridge of the Tianshan Mountains”

　　Throughout the Xiate Gorge, you can still see remnants of ancient stone steps along the historic trail. The Xiate Ancient Trail is one of the most treacherous yet famous ancient mountain paths in the Tianshan range. Crossing the Muzart Pass on the main ridge of the Tianshan Mountains, it leads to the Aksu region in southern Xinjiang. This ancient road connected the northern and southern parts of the Tianshan Mountains and served as a shortcut from Ili to southern Xinjiang. The eldest daughter of Princess Jieyou of the Western Han Dynasty, Princess Dishi, traveled this route to Chang’an to study the zither and later married the King of Kucha (in today’s Kuqa region), King Jiamin. This was also the path taken during the famous Gongyue Route of the Tang Dynasty.

　　The Ancient Path Protected by the Divine Eagle

　　Many magical legends are associated with the Xiate Ancient Trail, including one about a divine eagle: In the icy mountains lives a divine eagle, usually invisible to humans. But when travelers crossing the Muzart Pass lose their way in wind and snow, the eagle will soar through the sky and cry out, guiding them in the right direction and helping them avert disaster.

　　The Bodhisattva Stone

　　Not far from the gorge entrance, beside the road, lies a white jade-like rock as large as a tabletop, half-reclining by the path. It resembles a bodhisattva sitting cross-legged and is thus called the “Bodhisattva Stone.” The stone surface bears inscriptions in Uyghur script and the emblem of the Three Districts Revolution. In July 1945, Abasov, one of the leaders of the Three Districts Revolution, led guerrillas on an attack into southern Xinjiang’s Aksu region from here. Nearby, the “Wisdom” Spring Bath is located about 30 kilometers from the Xiate Gorge entrance and is a well-known hot spring in Ili. Nestled in a quiet environment, the spring water temperature ranges between 42–64 degrees Celsius and contains various minerals that are effective in treating many diseases. Interestingly, different pools have varying water temperatures and are used to treat different ailments, especially benefiting those with skin conditions.

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