Things to do in Xayar
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Top 10 attractions in Xayar
Tarim River
Tarim River is China's largest inland river. It is formed by the confluence of the Aksu River (originating in the Tianshan Mountains), the Yarkand River (originating in the Karakoram Mountains), and the Hotan River, before flowing into Taitema Lake. Geographically, the Tarim River basin encompasses the 114 headstreams of the nine major water systems that converge toward the center of the Tarim Basin, the main stream of the Tarim River, the Taklamakan Desert, and the eastern desert region. Tarim River water flow varies significantly with the seasons. Whenever the scorching summer arrives, snow and glaciers melt, causing the river's flow to surge dramatically, racing and roaring through deserts and grasslands like an "unbridled wild horse." Many water conservancy facilities have been built in the Tarim River basin. Through the diligent efforts of people from all ethnic groups, the former deserts have been transformed into fertile fields, with orchards full of fruit and the scent of rice blossoms filling the air along both banks of the river.Xayar · 34.3km from downtown
World Populus Euphratica Forest Park
Shaya County is subordinate to Kuqa, which in ancient times belonged to Qiuci State. The Shaya area is a blend of Chinese culture in the Central Plains, Buddhist culture in South Asia, Persian culture, Greek and Roman culture, Thousand Buddha Caves, Grand Canyon, and the largest original Populus euphratica forest in the world.Xayar · 34.9km from downtown
Shaya Cultural and Creative Industrial Park
The ancient name of Shaya is "Shayan Prefecture", which was first seen in "New Book of Tang Dynasty: Western Regions": "Tang's Tuqishi Shayan Prefecture". Shaya County has a long history and profound cultural heritage. It is an important town on the ancient Silk Road, an important part of the ancient country of Qiuci, and a place where Eastern and Western cultures converge. Four ancient civilizations, including Persian civilization, Egyptian civilization, Indian civilization and Chinese civilization, merged here. Many traditional Chinese cultural elements such as Chinese culture, Western Region culture, Qiuci culture, and reclamation culture blend and shine together. The ruins of the ancient city of Wushikat, located north of Yingmaili Town, Shaya County, is a large-scale one among the ruins of the ancient city group of Qiuci. It consists of a palace city, an inner city and an outer city. The locals call it "Wushikat", which means "three-layer city". It is one of the larger ancient city ruins in southern Xinjiang. "The Book of Jin" records that "the custom of Qiuci country is to have a city wall, and its city is three-layered, with thousands of pagodas and temples in it." According to the Biography of Ban Chao in Volume 47 of the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, "The next year, Chao was appointed as the Protector General of the Western Regions... Chao lived in Taqian City, Qiuci." In addition, the Book of the Later Han Dynasty, Biography of the Western Regions, also records that "Ban Chao 'lived in Taqian City, Qiuci'". From this, we can know that in the third year of Yongyuan in the Eastern Han Dynasty (91 AD), the Han Dynasty appointed Ban Chao as the Protector General of the Western Regions, and Taqian City, where Ban Chao lived, was the seat of the Western Regions Protectorate in the early Eastern Han Dynasty. In 1953, two Han Dynasty copper seals, "Han Guiyi Qiang Chief" and "Li Chong's Seal", were unearthed at the site of the ancient city of "Ushkat" (Sanchongcheng), which fully demonstrated the important position of the city when the Han Dynasty ruled the Western Regions. Li Chong was the Protector General of the Western Regions during the reform period of Wang Mang in the Han Dynasty. These two seals are now in the collection of the National Museum of China, and the labels indicate that they were unearthed in Shaya County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Since modern times, there have been six relatively important field archaeological surveys of the "Triple City" in the Shaya County area, which recorded the preservation status of the ancient city of "Wushkat" (Triple City) in different periods. In the "Archaeological Records of the Tarim Basin" written by Mr. Huang Wenbi, a famous archaeological expert in my country, there are detailed records of the location, size and layout of "Wushkat" (Triple City). Archaeologist Mr. Wu Bolun also investigated the ancient city of Wushikat in Shaya County in 1953. Mr. Wu Bolun believed that: "Based on the location and architectural form of (the ancient city of Wushikat), it may be the Yancheng, the capital of the ancient Qiuci State, and the location of the Tang Dynasty's Western Regions Protectorate. It is further explained that the ancient city of 'Wushkat' (Triple City) is Taqian City". In July 2014, the ruins of the ancient city of Wushikat (Taqian City) were included in the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Taqian City is an important landmark for the central government to effectively govern the Western Regions and is the military and political center of the central government's governance of the Western Regions. From 16 AD, Li Chong, the Protector General of the Western Regions, moved the Protectorate of the Western Regions to Taqian City and stationed there for 8 years. In 91 AD, the Eastern Han government established the Protectorate of the Western Regions in Taqian City. When Ban Yong suppressed the rebellion, the Western Regions had "three openings and three connections". It was extended to 152 AD when Wang Jing became the Chief of the Western Regions. Taqian City has experienced nearly 70 years of ups and downs. In order to construct Chinese cultural symbols to reflect the visual image of the Chinese nation, condense the national spirit and tell the Chinese story well, Shaya County built and completed the Taqian City Retro Project 25 kilometers southwest of the county seat. Taqian City covers a total area of 747 mu and a total construction area of 34,000 square meters. It is planned and laid out according to the "three-layer city" form of the "Ushkat" ancient city ruins. The project aims to fully respect history and try to restore the historical facts that the central government of the Western Han Dynasty exercised effective jurisdiction over the Western Regions. The core performance IP of the Itqian City Attraction, "Seal of the Western Regions, Silk Road Huazhang", is mainly composed of 4 core performances: the opening ceremony, the seal of the Western Regions, the return of justice, the dream of Qiuci and the camel bells of thousands of miles, the millennium post station, and the 5D light and shadow show. The main business formats in the city include: city wall sightseeing, the Great Seal Museum, the camp of the Chendu Weiying, the camp of the Eight Lieutenants, the Yinshui River, hotels, characteristic homestays, horse market street, gold market street, folk snack street, palace garden, Dezheng Hall (South Palace, North Palace), three dynasties and five gates, Hanfu lamp wall, faith road guide, palace music and dance theme restaurant, and trade totem, etc. Through a series of antique buildings, the life forms of the ancient Shaya officials and the people under the rule of the Xicheng Protectorate are reproduced, and through the later situational and immersive performances, people of all ethnic groups and tourists from all over the country can fully feel the profound historical and cultural heritage of Shaya and experience the unique ancient Western Regions.Xayar · 17.8km from downtown
Shaya County Crescent Lake Desert Off-Road Scenic Area
The Crescent Lake Desert Off-Road Base in Shaya County is located on the west side of Shaya County. It is the closest piece of wind-sand land to the county seat, covering an area of 614 mu. It not only provides various desert tourism activities such as desert camping, hiking, crossing, study, self-driving off-road, etc., but also allows tourists to check in and take photos in Xinjiang ethnic costumes. In addition, there is also the Taqiancheng Cultural Tourism Attraction in the Souvenir . This is a leading cultural and tourism project covering an area of 747 mu. It is planned and laid out according to the "three-city" form of the ruins of the ancient city of Ushkat, including buildings such as the urn city, the round city, and the palace city. Through the layout of historical imprints, camel bells and other business formats, it highly restores the official and folk life forms of Shaya under the governance of the Western Regions Protectorate, and shows the historical facts that the central government of the Han Dynasty exercised effective jurisdiction over the Western Regions.Xayar · 18.1km from downtown
Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
Zhaosu Jade Lake is a magical lake hidden in the heart of the Tianshan glacier. The winding lake water stretches into the distance.Throughout the year, due to different light conditions, the water in the Jade Lake presents different colors, hence the nickname "Color-Changing Lake". The colorful and changing colors of the lake make every tourist who sees it intoxicated, and they all sigh at its magical colors.China · Zhaosu
Qiongkushitai Village
Joan Kushtai means "big platform" in Kazakh language. Qiongkushi Terrace has ravines and ravines, which is quite masculine in the grassland. There are countless ravines cut longitudinally on the platform, and the peaceful grassland is drawn like the waves raised in the sea. Visitors can see the blue sky and white clouds here. Below the white clouds are silver snow-capped mountains, dark green fir forests, light blue grasslands and colorful flowers. Several colors have distinct layers and harmonious hues, forming a natural grassland. Great view. If you put it another way, it can also be said: under the blue sky and white clouds is the snow-capped mountains, under the snow-capped mountains and fir forests is the Qiongkushi Terrace, and under the Qiongkush Terrace is the Kala Jun. Qiongkushitai Village on Qiongkushitai Grassland is a Kazakh herdsman's village. It is a small village on the half slope of Tianshan Mountain and the north entrance of Wusun Ancient Road. No one knew its existence before. name is known. Almost all the houses in Qiongkushitai Village are wooden buildings. Some houses are built from whole logs, while others are divided into two parts from the middle and built by various techniques such as digging, tenoning and arching. . The village is surrounded by mountains, and the houses are built according to the water. The drinking water and domestic water for people and animals in the village all come from the Kurdai River.China · Tekes County
Tekes Bagua City
Tekes County in Xinjiang is famous for its Bagua layout. The relevant departments canceled the traffic lights on the road in 1996, and Bagua City became a city without traffic lights. It is said that Tekes Bagua City was originally arranged by Qiu Chuji, one of the Seven Sons of Taoism in the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, Qiu Chuji, a real person from Changchun, went to the Western Regions at the invitation of Genghis Khan. When he passed the Tekes River Valley, he was moved by the mountains and rivers here. So this eight trigrams city was arranged. Bagua City is radially circular, and the street layout is like a maze, with roads interlinked and streets connected. At the same time, Bagua City has strong folk customs, profound historical culture and beautiful natural scenery.China · Tekes County
Hundred-Mile Gallery
Hundred-Mile Gallery is located in Nilka County, Ili, Xinjiang. It is a scenic stretch extending over a hundred miles along the Kashgar River valley, starting from the Qiao'erma junction on the Duku Highway in the east and extending westward along the provincial mountain road. This grassland was formerly known as Tangbula Grassland, which means "seal" in the Kazakh language. Hundreds of tributary valleys extend from both sides of the river valley into the mountains, with scenery in every valley: Schrenk's spruce forests, snow-capped mountains, meadows, and blue river channels create a picturesque scene, which is how the name "Gallery" came to be. The most comfortable way to explore the entire route is by self-drive, allowing you to stop at your leisure. The Xiaohuashan Viewing Platform is a great place to take in the panoramic view, with the Kashgar River below carving an S-shaped curve across the grassland, and the entire valley is bathed in a warm golden hue at sunrise and sunset. Fairy Lake is hidden high in a tributary valley, with water in the unique turquoise blue of glacial meltwater. It requires a hike or horseback ride along a gentle horse trail to reach. In the calm of the early morning, the lake surface reflects the perfect image of the snow-capped mountains. The primeval forest in Bulonggou hides mountain hot springs. Bee Town is a great place to stop and rest, where you can also taste local wildflower honey. In summer, wildflowers cover the meadows, and around September, the birch trees turn yellow. These are the two most vibrant times. After winter arrives, heavy snow seals the mountains, and the grassland enters a long period of silence. Most tourists enter from Yining by self-drive or car charter. At night, you can stay in a Kazakh yurt deep in the grassland, drink a bowl of milk tea, and eat a meal of hand-grabbed meat. The light pollution is low at night, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.China · Nilka County
Tangbula Grassland
Tangbla Grassland is located in Nileke County. It is the collective name of the grassland landscape in the upper reaches of the Kashi River, named after the Tangbla Grand Canyon. Because there is a huge rock on the ridge on the east side of the valley, just like a jade seal, it is named Tangbra (meaning seal in Kazakh language). From Nileke County to the source of the Ka River, the lush mountain grasslands and valley grasslands on both sides of the Kashi River are what people usually refer to as the Tangbula grassland. This is a natural landscape area that integrates forests, grasslands, rapids, and mountains and rocks. The well-known film "Tianshan Honghua" was shot here. The grassland scenery in the scenic area is very beautiful, with the peculiar Arslang Stone Forest, the magnificent grassland sunset, and the ice peaks and snow ridges reflected in the quiet and deep alpine lakes. The warm and refreshing hot springs, the blue sky, and the green pastures here give people a beautiful enjoyment every moment.China · Nilka County
Old City of Kuche
Kuqa Old City is a national historical and cultural city, with the majority of its residents being Uyghurs. The ancient buildings within Kuqa Old City have absorbed cultural elements and architectural styles from Central China and Europe, while also integrating traditional Western Region architecture, painting, and song and dance arts, retaining their traditional layout and historical appearance to this day.Kuqa · 56.6km from Xayar
Free things to do in Xayar
Tarim River
Xayar · 34.3km from downtownWorld Populus Euphratica Forest Park
Xayar · 34.9km from downtownShaya Cultural and Creative Industrial Park
Xayar · 17.8km from downtownShaya County Crescent Lake Desert Off-Road Scenic Area
Xayar · 18.1km from downtownZhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
China · ZhaosuQiongkushitai Village
China · Tekes CountyTekes Bagua City
China · Tekes CountyHundred-Mile Gallery
China · Nilka CountyTangbula Grassland
China · Nilka CountyOld City of Kuche
Kuqa · 56.6km from Xayar
What travellers say about Xayar
郭润龙浪迹天涯16 September 2023
5.0
20230725 afternoon:
1. "Tarim River" is located in the 4A scenic spot "Lobu Village". Lobu Village is an original Lobu theme cultural park, with large and small desert lakes scattered all over the place, commonly known as "Lop Nur", gathering oasis, poplar forest, Taklimakan Desert, Goddess Lake, Tarim River and other different landforms, is a good place for sightseeing photography, desert entertainment, and cultural experience. The scenic area is divided into four major areas: Lobu Cultural Exhibition Hall, Abudan Square, Desert Area, and Goddess Lake. The scenic area is the filming location of TV series such as "China Exploration", "The Great Protector of the Western Regions", and "Anarhan".
① Address: No. 53, Forestry Bureau, Bayingu West Road, Yuli County, Bayingol Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
② Transportation: No public transportation, easy to park by car.
③ Peak season: In autumn, the poplar forest is golden, and the hottest season has passed.
④ Time: 4 hours.
2. On the big screen in the visitor center, the beautiful scenery of golden poplar trees dotted in the desert oasis in autumn is played in a loop. However, it is summer now and most of the poplar trees are green leaves, so you can only feast your eyes on the screen. Below the screen is a sand table model map of the core area of the scenic area, which is more intuitive.
3. The Tarim River is the longest inland river in China and the mother river in southern Xinjiang. It originates from the Tianshan Mountains and the Karakoram Mountains. It is 2,179 kilometers long. The main road flows into the "Taitema Lake" and once flowed into Lop Nur in ancient times. The river is relatively wide, and there is a wooden bridge on the lake. The totem signs at both ends of the bridge are photo spots.
Tarim River
非凡轶生8 August 2023
5.0
The Tarim River, the longest inland river in Bayinguoleng Autonomous Prefecture, is home to the world's largest and only primitive Populus euphratica forest park. Ten percent of the world's Populus euphratica forests are in China, and ninety percent of China's Populus euphratica forests are along the Tarim River in Xinjiang. Its ancestors appeared as early as 135 million years ago and are called "living fossils of the Tertiary Period" by geologists. They are the oldest species of poplar in the world.
World Populus Euphratica Forest Park
Anonymous user9 January 2024
4.0
The ancient city is next to National Highway 217, suitable for self-driving or group tours. Go there at night, the lights are more appropriate. It is quite ethnic, and the performances restore historical stories one by one. If you haven't been there, you can go and experience it.
Shaya Cultural and Creative Industrial Park
apher25 August 2026
5.0
Jade Lake is truly beautiful on a clear day, and a road trip there is well worth it. Besides getting a close-up view of the lake, you can also drive into the Aheyazi Valley. If you have time, you can visit the Aheyazi River downstream on the way to the scenic area.
Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area
YoYo_9H7U5N1A1 September 2026
5.0
Qiongkushitai is nestled deep in the mountains, with rustic wooden villages and vast grasslands behind it, accompanied by spruce trees and streams. The winding mountain road is bumpy, but staying overnight to watch the sunset and starry sky offers a truly immersive mountain atmosphere, perfect for a slow-paced trip.
Qiongkushitai Village
sky5lady18 March 2025
5.0
白天的特克斯八卦城略显平淡，但是夜晚的特克斯八卦城真美啊，围绕太极坛绕场一周，八条街灯火阑珊，各有特色。尤其用无人机的上帝视角，更是美的不可方物。
Tekes Bagua City
无为的无心草18 October 2025
5.0
Autumn also offers a unique experience for visitors to Meixian's Baili Gallery. While the thousand-acre lotus pond mentioned in the reference primarily showcases its summertime lotus spectacle, there are other things worth experiencing around the area in autumn:
Enjoying the Autumn Scenery
In autumn, the trees surrounding the Meixian Baili Gallery transform into a vibrant array of colors, with maple leaves turning red and ginkgo trees turning yellow. These colors complement the surrounding landscape, creating a beautiful natural canvas. Strolling or cycling along the gallery will allow you to experience the rich autumn atmosphere.
Tasting Autumn Fruits
Autumn is harvest season, and Meixian may have abundant fruits, such as kiwis, ripening. Participate in picking, savor the fresh, delicious fruits, and experience the joy of harvest.
Nearby Leisure Activities
Along the route to the Meixian Baili Gallery, you may find farmhouses and unique shops nearby. After exploring the area, you can sample local delicacies at the farmhouses and enjoy a leisurely and relaxing autumn experience.
In addition, although the lotus flowers in the thousand-acre lotus pond have passed their flowering period in autumn, the surrounding ecological landscape is still worth seeing. The wooden trails, the Wei River embankment and other scenery also have a unique charm in autumn. You can stroll along the trails, feel the autumn breeze on your face, and enjoy the scenery of the Wei River.
Hundred-Mile Gallery
Jerry_Z*^_^*1 October 2026
5.0
Tangbula, located in Nileke County, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, is a collective name for the canyon and grassland landscape of the upper reaches of the Kashgar River. It gets its name from a rock formation on the eastern ridge that resembles a jade seal (the Kazakh word "Tangbula" means "seal"). It is known as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery." This natural scenic belt stretches for over a hundred miles along Provincial Highway S315, integrating snow-capped mountains, spruce trees, grasslands, streams, and alpine lakes. The route is crisscrossed by valleys, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Completely free, it is a pristine, off-the-beaten-path summer retreat and a perfect destination for self-driving tours in the Ili River Valley.
Tangbula Grassland
didiann20018 June 2025
5.0
Kuche Old Town, Kuche Grand Temple, Qiuci Music and Dance, Qingcheng Lane, Linjilu Memorial Hall, and Kuche Palace are all nearby. You can visit them all at once. It's quite nice and worth a visit!
Old City of Kuche
