Things to do in Zepu

No. 7 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Xinjiang

Xin Jiang Jin Hu Yang

Xin Jiang Jin Hu Yang is located west of Zepu County in Kashgar, Xinjiang, nestled along the Yarkant River. This stunning desert oasis features thousands of acres of natural poplar forests and beautifully landscaped lakeside gardens. With its picturesque scenery, it ranks among Kashgar's top attractions—perfect for admiring poplar trees and enjoying the serene garden views. The scenic area is quite large, divided mainly into two sections: the area near the main entrance and the poplar forest area, connected by shuttle buses. Exploring the entire attraction typically takes around 3–4 hours. Upon entering, visitors will first encounter the Golden Lock Bridge, a large suspension bridge over the lake that sways amusingly as you walk across. Beyond the bridge, you'll find stunning lakeside scenery, including a vast lotus pond that blooms beautifully in summer—a rare and precious sight in the arid Kashgar region. In addition to the lotus pond, the area features a fishing garden and an ecological swimming pool, offering plenty of recreational activities. Take the shuttle bus to reach the poplar forest area deep in the attraction. This vast forest spans over 10,000 acres, showcasing poplar trees in various forms at different growth stages. Fall is the ideal time to visit when the leaves turn golden yellow. A unique feature here is that the poplars grow along the water's edge, allowing you to capture stunning photos of their reflections on the calm surface. The attraction also features jujube forests and farmhouse dining areas for additional exploration and meals. A hotel has recently been built within the park.——Jinhu Yangderui Resort Hotel is a great choice for those planning to enjoy a 2-day or longer vacation within the park.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Shache

Armanisa Royal Memorial Mausoleum

The Armanisa Royal Memorial Mausoleum is a memorial building constructed to commemorate Amanisha Khan, the collector and compiler of the Uyghur classical music "Twelve Muqam". The Armanisa Royal Memorial Mausoleum covers an area of ​​1,050 square meters, with the main building reaching a height of 22 meters. The mausoleum's overall layout is divided into three levels: the base level, the main body level, and the vault level. The mausoleum is built on a square base 2 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 10 meters long, surrounded by 14 steps. The first level is the main mausoleum structure, surrounded by a circular corridor and 20 carved cement pillars, symbolizing Amanisha Khan's 20-year journey in organizing Muqam. The second and third levels are primarily vault (domed) structures, used for offerings and veneration. The mausoleum is exquisitely decorated, with patterned tiles adorning the walls and floors. At the center lies the coffin of Amanisha Khan, above which, beneath a portrait, are inscribed in both Chinese and Uyghur: "The Twelve Muqam are like twelve brilliant stars." The interior space is meticulously laid out, using interplay of light and shadow to create a solemn and dignified atmosphere for posterity to pay their respects and remember her.

Yarkand River

The Yarkand River is one of the four sources of the Tarim River. The turbulent mountainous area rushes out of the Kunlun Canyon and then flows northward, forming many branches, scattered on the alluvial fan, and irrigating the Yarkand Oasis, one of the larger oasis in Xinjiang, and the city of Shache is one of them. one. The entire upper reaches of the river meanders in the valley and vents down. The steep hills on both sides of the Yarkand River have red willows and weeds, which can be used for grazing livestock, but the traffic is difficult; It is composed of sand, gravel and silt, and the two banks are connected with an endless plain, which has become the main irrigation area of the Yarkand River.

Yarkand River Folk Culture Museum

Kazanchi Street in the Old City Scenic Area

老城景区喀赞其街 is the core historical and cultural district of the Shache Old City Scenic Area. The main street is over 700m long, connecting over 200 traditional buildings and residences. Earthy yellow walls, colorful wooden doors, and crisscrossing alleys unfold layer by layer, making it a concentrated area where the original style of Shache Old City has been preserved following "restoration that maintains the original style" renovations. Most of the shops along the street are copperware stores, where the clinking sound of copper pots being chiseled and the calls of food vendors rise and fall; besides copperware, there are also shops selling folk handicrafts and agricultural products, as well as local delicacies like roasted buns, wheat rice, and pilaf. The Atamires Handicraft Shop on the street has been passed down to the seventh generation of coppersmiths, where visitors can customize copperware and, with the shop owner's hands-on guidance, hammer one out themselves to take home.

Shache Prefecture Scenic Area

Yarkant Mansion stands as an important historical testament to the Qing Dynasty's governance in Xinjiang. After unifying the Xinjiang region, the Qing administration was divided into two main periods, demarcated by the establishment of Xinjiang Province in 1884. The earlier period implemented a military-government integrated system. In 1762 (the 27th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign), the Qing government established the "Commander-in-Chief of Ili and Other Regions" (Ili General). The later period saw the implementation of a unified county-level administrative system in Xinjiang. Before Xinjiang became a province in 1883 (the 9th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign), Shache was established as a directly administered subprefecture. In 1902 (the 28th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign), Shache was elevated to a prefecture.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Shache

Old Town Cultural Center

Stepping into the Old Town Cultural Center in Shache County, the melodies of the Twelve Muqam transcend time and space. Folk artists dressed in vibrant Atlas silk costumes weave passionate rhythms with hand drums and tamburs, captivating visitors who eagerly capture this cultural feast on their phones. Many are swept up by the lively atmosphere, joining the performers in dance and interaction, immersing themselves in the unique charm of the intangible cultural heritage that is the Twelve Muqam.Laocheng AttractionContinuous efforts have been made to protect and utilize the intangible cultural heritage of the Twelve Muqam, with promotional activities carried out through special performances, on-site guides, short video releases, live streams, and other forms to deepen visitors' understanding of this heritage. This year, the attraction will also introduce flower-viewing tours, folk culture tours, and intangible heritage tours, continuously enriching the performance details of various intangible cultural heritages within the attraction, providing visitors with a comfortable and welcoming travel environment.

Old Town Scenic Area

In the Kashgar region lies a pearl that has withstood a millennium of history yet remains as brilliant as ever—the Old Town Scenic Area. As a vivid snapshot of history on the Ancient Silk Road, it is more than just a scenic area; it is a home where local people have thrived for generations, hailed as a "living fossil" for studying the ancient cities of the Western Regions. This is a labyrinthine architectural marvel. Strolling through it feels like traveling through a corridor of time. Earthen-colored houses of varying heights are built along the cliffs, layered and stacked in an intricate, interconnected maze of winding paths. Exquisite wood carvings, colorful glazed windows, and walls draped in climbing grapevines and ivy complement one another, adorning this ancient city with both historical depth and vibrant vitality. With an open and inclusive spirit, it blends the ancient with the modern, allowing every traveler who steps foot here to find a sanctuary for their soul.

Shache Ancient City Gate

The ancient city gate of Shache is located on Tierekebag Road, Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is an important symbol of the ancient city of Shache. In terms of architectural style, it has a strong regional characteristic. The khaki city gate tower is solemn and majestic, with two large characters "Shache" carved on it, which are also khaki, showing its simplicity and grandeur. The design of the city gate tower incorporates a variety of cultural elements, reflecting the characteristics of the local multicultural integration. The surrounding city walls are rammed earth structures, which are typical features of the city walls in southern Xinjiang. In a dry and rainy environment, the rammed earth city walls have good strength and save the trouble of making city bricks. In terms of tourism value, the ancient city gate of Shache is not only a historical site, but also an important check-in point for tourism in the ancient city of Shache. It attracts many tourists to come, allowing people to appreciate the ancient city gate while feeling the long history and splendid culture of the ancient city of Shache as if traveling through time and space. Standing under the ancient city gate, people can imagine the prosperous scene of the ancient Silk Road and the important position of Shache in the long river of history.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Southern Xinjiang

Ancient City of Kashi

The Ancient City of Kashi is located in the center of Kashgar City. Known in ancient times as Shule, it was an important trading port on the ancient Silk Road, boasts a history of over 2,000 years, and is one of the best-preserved labyrinthine districts in the ancient Western Regions style in China. The movie "The Kite Runner" was filmed here, and the earthy yellow rooftops where children ran chasing kites in the film are just ordinary street scenes of the ancient city. Unlike most attractions, the ancient city is still inhabited by residents today, with Atlas silk drying in the sun and seniors playing chess at the alley entrances, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life everywhere. The essence of the ancient town lies in its streets and alleys. Centered around the square in front of the Id Kah Mosque, over twenty crisscrossing lanes feature earth-yellow walls, carved wooden doors, arched windows, and overhead bridges, sketching a classic Central Asian streetscape. Along the approx. 600 m-long Arheyah Road, bazaars like the Flowerpot Bazaar, Kettmen Bazaar (Blacksmith Street), Doppa Bazaar, and Uyghur Medicine Bazaar unfold one after another—"bazaar" means market in Uyghur. Bread bakers, potters, and woodturners often craft their wares right at their shopfronts, allowing visitors to watch the process while strolling. The adjacent Kumdarwaza Road, also called Artisan Street, gathers traditional workshops for musical instruments, copperware, and more. When tired, stop by the century-old teahouse on Ostangboyi Road for a pot of tea, paired with street views and the Maixirap folk dances of regular patrons. The morning gate-opening ceremony at the east gate is the first stop for many travelers. After watching the welcome dance performance, stroll slowly inward along the main street. Rainbow Lane, Cloth Bag Lane, and the Hanging Gardens are popular photo spots, but expect narrow alleys and crowds requiring patient queuing. In fact, turning into lesser-known side lanes often leads to quieter corners perfect for photos. Kashgar operates on a roughly two-hour time difference from inland China, with late sunsets. The slanting evening light on adobe walls creates ideal photo conditions, and it's never too late to visit Han Bazaar Food Street at night for baked buns, stewed meat in jars, and hand-churned ice cream. If time permits, the ancient dwellings on the high cliff east of the old town are worth a visit, featuring clusters of traditional earthen houses built along the cliff; across the Tuman River, the grand bazaar is packed with stalls selling dried fruits and atlas silk, offering a glimpse into the enduring bazaar tradition.