Xinjiang's Kashgar to provide duty-free shopping

Kashgar will start providing duty-free shopping from 2015 as the Xinjiang city tries to build itself as a trade hub in Central Asia.

Duty-free shops will open in a plaza covering 100,000 square meters, local authorities said on Saturday.

Visitors to Kashgar will be allowed to buy duty-free goods with valid plane tickets and travel agreements, according to the administration of Kashgar economic development zone.

In a policy package released in 2011, the State Council, or China's cabinet, said it supported Kashgar to set up a special customs regulation zone.

South China's Hainan Province started providing duty-free shopping two years ago. It has helped boost tourism on the tropical island.

Source: xinhua via sina

Scenery of Luobu Village in Xinjiang

Located 35 km southwest of Yuli County of Bayangol Prefecture, Xinjiang, Luobu Village covers an area of 72 square kilometers and is home to over 20 households. It is one of the largest villages in China's western region. Featuring vast desert, beautiful scenery of Tarim River, diversiform-leaved poplar and unique folklore, the village of Luobu People attracts large numbers of visitors every year. [Photo: China.org.cn]

5 places to travel with nomads in China

Most of China’s dwindling nomadic groups -- the Tibetans, Mongols, Kazakhs and Kyrgyzs -- live on the vast grasslands in the north and northwest.

Yes, they use mobile phones, watch satellite TV and, for part of the year, live in concrete buildings, but that’s that's what makes hanging out with them a precious experience -- the pure nomadic lifestyle is disappearing quickly.

And here is where you can find it in China.

Kyrgyzs, Lake Karakul, Xinjiang

Who they are: The Kyrgyzs (柯尔克孜族) are Turkic people from Kyrgyzstan but some 140,000 live in China.

In summer they live in yurts by the stunning glacier lake Karakul (拉库勒湖) on the Karakoram Highway.

They graze yak, horses and sheep. In the winter they live in brick houses also by the side of the lake across the grasslands.

What to expect: Accommodation is in the families' own yurts and you can take part in herding yak, making food and collecting yak dung fuel. These nomads can organize tours or treks of the countryside by camel, horse or motorbike.

Life has a yurt-like pace. As my host Abiti Kudush repeatedly said, “Karakul is a long way from Beijing.”

Expect plenty of chay (tea), a good fire, friendly conversation, bedding and three meals -- tea and bread for breakfast, homemade noodles for lunch and dinner.

How to travel with them: Book a yurt through a tour company in Kashgar or just show up -- local men will meet the bus with hand-written recommendations from other travelers. I paid RMB 20-30 for accommodation and three meals, other travelers have recently reported paying RMB 40-50.

Contacts: Abiti Kudush lives about a kilometer from the Lake Karakul bus stop in a small clump of yurts by the lake. He can be reached via +86 137 7903 0302.

Tour companies and hotels in Kashgar, in West Xinjiang, organize small groups and customized trips to Lake Karakul. China Southern and Hainan Air operate daily flights between Kashgar and Urumqi.

Kazakhs, Tian Chi lake, Xinjiang


Who they are: Kazakhs (哈萨克族) are one of 47 ethnic groups in Xinjiang and account for approximately seven percent of the local population. Many live in yurts along the shores, hills and valleys of

Tian Chi lake (天池), which is 110 kilometers east of Urumqi.

These Kazakhs are semi-nomadic, relying on animals, tourism and horse shows for their income.

What to expect: Days with Kazakhs can be spent reading, trekking, horse riding or relaxing around the yurt base. Kazakh families are easygoing and happy to oblige with plenty of fuel in the stove, noodles on the table and hot tea.

At night, sit back and enjoy the campfire, the stars and the comfort of the yurt.

How to travel with them: Some tours to Tian Chi (mostly from Urumqi) include a yurt stay, but no pre-booking is required. Dawanzi (大湾子) is a settlement of four to five yurts open to tourists by the southwest lake shore.

Look for Mr. Rachit, a Kazakh nomad who has hosted travelers for years. His family runs a visitor yurt. I paid RMB 50 for accommodation and meals, but more recent travelers put the price closer to RMB 100.
Rachit’s brother Mokhyat operates superb horse treks and may throw in free Kazakh horse-riding lessons en route.

Contacts: Mr. Rachit can be reached via +86 994 831 500 or +86 138 9964 1550.

Tour companies and hotels in Urumqi organize various trips to Tian Chi. 

Mongols, Zhaohe / Hailar / Xilinhot, Inner Mongolia

Who they are: Semi-nomadic Mongolians (蒙古族) occupy the grasslands in northern China around Hohhot (呼和浩特) and Hailar (海拉尔), although most live in the Republic of Mongolia.

Traditionally they raised horses, cows/yaks, sheep, goats and camels, but today many live in townships in the winter. However they still take to the grasslands in summer and keep up their traditional arts, cuisine and horse riding.

What to expect: Organized grassland tours from Hohhot and Hailar often include food, entertainment, traditional dress shows and singing, but travelers are crammed in one ger (Mongol for yurt) on enormous sites at night.

Hosts served mutton, yogurt, dried yak cheese (aaruul), fermented mare’s milk (in season) and possibly baijiu (distilled liquor).

How to travel with them: Take a bus from Hohhot to Zhaohe (昭和) on the Xilamuren Grassland where families will invite you to stay. Alternatively rent a taxi and ask the driver to make arrangements. Food and accommodation cost about RMB 60 per day.

The Hulunbuir grasslands near Hailar and Xilingol grasslands in Xilinhot (锡林浩特) are less visited and here tours (RMB 100-300) and independent travel is possible.

Contacts: Book tours through Tongda Hotel (+86 471 692 6676) and Anda Guesthouse (+86 471 691 8039) in Hohhot or use an online agent such as China International Travel Service.

Hohhot's Baita Airport links to many major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing.

Kham Tibetans, Tagong grassland, Sichuan

Who they are: The Kham (康区藏族) are a branch of Tibetans inhabiting the scenic high-altitude grasslands in eastern Tibet, southern Qinghai and western Sichuan.

The semi-nomadic group spends the day moving herds to new pastures on horseback and they dress the part with cowboy hats, swords or knives and braids.

From late spring until fall they live in black yak wool tents on the grasslands but go into town for festivals and casual employment.

What to expect: Travelers hang out with them in various ways, from horse riding and trekking to assisting with animal husbandry, milking, cheese-making or herding.

The nomads serve Tibetan food like yak yogurt and tsampa -- a hard bread made from roasted barley flour -- butter tea and water/beer. They serve copious amounts of butter tea, which is an acquired taste at first but may grow on you after a long day.

How to travel with them: Horse and trekking tours are available in Tagong (塔公) with nomad accommodation. Prices vary as many are custom designed.

Contacts: Sally’s Kham Restaurant and Bar (+86 139 9045 4752) in Tagong organizes tours. Definitelynomadic.com (+86 136 8449 3301) also runs various treks around the region as well as local art workshops.

The nearest traffic hub to Tagong is Kangding (康定). China Eastern flies between the Kangding and provincial capital Chengdu every day.

Tibetans, Langmusi, Amdo, northern Sichuan and southern Gansu

Who they are: Some 25 percent of Tibetans live in Amdo (安多), an area covering northern Sichuan and southern Gansu.

Along with the Kham and Lhasa people, they make up the three main sub-groups of Tibetans.

What to expect: Guide Losang from Plateau Photo Tours says, “Amdo remains the best region to see traditional nomadic life,” but many are being resettled in towns.

Langmusi (郎木寺) is a small village standing 3,800 meters above sea level on the Sichuan and Gansu border. Nomads come into town by horse or motorbike for provisions.
In the rugged valley outside town or on the nearby fertile grasslands, they serve travelers with yak meat, vegetables and yak yogurt with honey on an overnight stay.

How to travel with them: Losang says it’s possible to go solo into Amdo but as nomads live some distance from town he recommends a tour for the greatest ease. Many tours are customized so prices vary.

Contacts: Plateau Photo Tours organizes photography tours in Amdo. It can be reached via info@plateauphototours.com. Other recommended tour companies include Snow Lion Tours (+86 971 816 3350) and Jimpa Travel, which provides tours in English and French (+86 131 9575 9602).

One option to get to Langmusi is via Lanzhou (兰州), provincial capital of Gansu. Take a long-distance bus to Hezuo (合作) from Lanzhou South Bus Terminal, then switch to a second long-distance bus from Hezuo Bus Terminal to Langmusi town.

Source: CNN Go By Joanne Lane

Xinjiang: Another Charm

Bayinbuluke Swan Lake


On the Shaosu Grasslands in Yili

At the foot of the snow-capped mountain and on the grasslands, riding horses is a way for visitors to get involved directly with nature

 In the Kumtag Desert and Turpan Depression, camels make their journeys with their owner. Located in the south of Shanshan County, the desert together with Tianchi and Bosten lakes are the three most favorite tourist resorts in Xinjiang

 A cow grazes leisurely at the foot of Yili Snow Mountain

Source: CRI

Kashgar... Ancient Beauty

Legend has it that a Fragrant Concubine existed during the Qing Dynasty in Kashgar, who exuded an enchanting aroma without using perfume. Shao Wei explores this oasis of civilization and discovers that the city oozes more than just legendary charms.

Many visitors to Kashgar, a city replete with historic and exotic characteristics along the ancient Silk Road, may feel like they are in North Africa or the Middle East. Uygur women wear veils or headscarves; men put on woven doppa, or white, knitted caps; bustling and noisy bazaars are filled with the aroma of roasted mutton and cumin. The city, especially its old town block, is filled with cluttered and amazingly clean streets, where motorcycles and mini-buses negotiate their way, along with donkey carts.

I was advised to pick up a few Uygur phrases before visiting, which I did, as most of the city's population who are Uygurs cannot understand Mandarin.

But language is overcome by the hospitality of the city, which is as warm as its summer. According to Uygur tradition, if the door and the curtain of a house are both open, tourists can freely visit to enjoy a cup of milk tea and snacks offered by the hostess.

Cycling is the best way to see the city during summer, which is dry and hot with the highest temperature hovering around 40 C.

Visitors could also save precious time under the scorching sun when cycling on the complicated, narrow and winding alleys.

I stay at the Old Town Youth Hostel in downtown Kashgar, which offers bicycle rental service, at a cost of 20 yuan ($3) a day and the hostel's guests are exempted from placing a deposit.

The hostel also provides visitors with a hand-drawn, user-friendly map, which clearly marks out the major tourist destinations, hotels, bus stations and ATMs in the city.

My first stop is Id Kah Mosque, one of the largest of its kind in the country.

Every Friday, 6,000 to 7,000 Uygurs converge at the mosque to perform the obligatory prayers, five times daily. During important festivals, the number could increase to 10,000. It is common to see crowds overflowing to the square outside, answering the call from the minarets all over the city.

The old town has a very distinct characteristic - the color yellow, as the houses are made of mudstone and wood. Some old houses look shabby externally, but amazingly clean and beautifully decorated inside.

Newly built houses and those under construction are also painted with yellow mud on the external wall to keep to the original feature of the old town.

But there are some houses that have adopted what Musa, a 21-year-old Uygur man, calls "a new and modern look", since the government launched a reconstruction program in 2010.

The other part of the old town is Gaotai, also called the Hathpace Residences.

Unfortunately, the Hathpace, built on the loess cliff in the southeast section of the old town, is now undergoing reconstruction. It is known as "castles in the air" for its highly distinctive architectural forms.

"The dilapidated century-old houses put visitors and residents in danger. They are now undergoing reconstruction, to strengthen the structures while maintaining their original architectural characteristics," Musa explains.

It was not easy moving the people in the area as most families have lived there for generations, Musa says.

Though the area is not open to tourists this year, Musa showed me an entry into the Hathpace, which is on the northern bank of East Lake.

"Make sure you just have a brief look around, don't venture too far," he adds.

Unlike the quiet, leisurely atmosphere in the Hathpace, a few streets away is the East Lake Bazaar which is a hubbub of noises, where bargaining is the order of the day.

The big market offers dried fruits and nuts, musical instruments, wooden or brass products, clothing and textiles, and various ornaments.

Kashgar shares an 888-km border with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Pakistan, which explains why its bazaars are full of businessmen and commodities from these neighboring countries. Locals and visitors are seen strolling from one street to another, seeking food, drinks and exotic souvenirs.

Another upside about visiting Kashgar during summer is the long day and short night. Following the Xinjiang timezone, which is two hours behind Beijing, the city bathes in daylight right up to 10 pm.

My last stop is the Tomb of the Fragrant Concubine, one of Emperor Qianlong's imperial concubines during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Legend has it that Fragrant Concubine exuded an enchanting fragrance without using perfume. Uygurs believe her fragrance came from her habit of bathing with shazao (sand date) flowers.

I didn't try bathing with the local blossoms but enjoyed it in a cup, sipping the flower tea sold at the entrance of the tomb. It was refreshing and fragrant.

Source: By Shao Wei (China Daily)

Kanas, near the very northern tip of Xinjiang

Kanas,in a valley in the Altai Mountains, is located near the very northern tip of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. "Kanas" is a Mongolian word meaning "lake in the canyon." The area is famous for its mysterious and wild landscape and especially its legendary lake

Source: china.org

Silk Road, China's Grand Canal listed as World Heritage Sites

Photo taken on June 21, 2014 shows a general view of Gongchen Bridge on China's Grand Canal, in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province. China's Grand Canal, the longest artificial waterway in the world, was inscribed on the World Heritage list on June 22, 2014. The Grand Canal with a history of more than 2,400 years was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Committee which convened its 38th session in the Qatari capital. The 1,794-km canal runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province


Photo taken on Dec. 7, 2011 shows a horse team passing by the ruins of Hanyuan Hall, once an integral part of the Daming Palace which was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

Photo taken on Oct. 31, 2009 shows tourists visiting the museum of ancient ruined site of Dingding Gate, the South Gate of the outer city of ancient Luoyang, central China's Henan Province. The Dingding Gate is the city gate that has been in use for the longest time among all ancient capitals in Chinese history.

Photo taken on Sept. 21, 2010 shows the ruins of the Subax buddhist temple in Kuqa County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The Subax buddhist temple was once an influential temple in the ancient Qiuci State.

Photo taken on July 17, 2013 shows the Bingling Temple Grottoes in northwest China's Gansu Province. Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with Buddhist statues, stupas and murals, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries

Photo taken on June 28, 2012 shows the Dayan Pagoda under maintenance in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Built in 652, the Dayan Pagoda is a masterpiece of China's Buddhist architecture.

Photo taken on Oct. 3, 2013 shows the ruins of Weiyang Palace in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Feb. 12, 2013 shows local citizens visiting a temple fair near Xiaoyan Pagoda in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province

Photo taken on Aug. 25, 2013 shows the Gaochang Ancient City Ruins in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Photo taken on Oct. 6, 2005 shows people visiting the Kizil Grotto in Baicheng County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Baicheng is the place where the ancient Qiuci State once located

Photo taken on July 15, 2013 shows sculptures at the Maiji Mountain Grottoes in Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. The Maiji Mountain Grottoes are the fourth largest grottoes in China and known as the "Oriental Sculpture Museum"

Photo taken on July 22, 2013 shows people visiting the ruins of Suoyang City in Guazhou County, northwest China's Gansu Province. Suoyang, which dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), was an ancient city on the Silk Road

Photo taken on June 11, 2014 shows tourists visiting the Jiaohe Relic in Turpan, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

The famous ancient Silk Road and China's Grand Canal, the world's longest artificial waterway, were inscribed on the list of World Heritage Sites here on Sunday.

Jointly submitted by China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the application for adding part of the Silk Road, which served as a corridor for trade and cultural exchanges between Asia and Europe dating back to 2,000 years ago, to the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list was approved by the World Heritage Committee at a session in the Qatari capital.

The application consists of 33 historical sites along the millennium-old trade route, including 22 in China, eight in Kazakhstan and three in Kyrgyzstan. They range from palaces and pagoda sites in cities to ruins in remote, inaccessible deserts.

It is the first time China has cooperated with foreign countries for a World Heritage nomination.

Du Yue, secretary general of the Chinese delegation at the 38th session of the World Heritage Committee, said the approval of the application would strengthen cultural exchanges between China and the two Central Asian nations.

He called for the three countries' close coordination to jointly protect and pass on the Silk Road heritage from generation to generation.

At Sunday's session, UNESCO also included the Grand Canal, with a history of more than 2,400 years, in the World Heritage list.

Participants at the meeting said the 1,794-km canal, which runs from Beijing to Hangzhou in China's eastern Zhejiang province, is a valuable fruit of the Chinese people's diligence and wisdom, adding that its inclusion has enriched the content of the World Heritage.

The Paris-based UNESCO oversees the system of granting World Heritage status to important cultural and natural sites around the globe.

The 38th session of the World Heritage Committee opened on June 15 and will continue through Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua

Nalati Grassland in Xinjiang Province

Located in eastern Xinyuan county in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the Nalati grassland retains much of its natural and ethnic beauty. Nalati scenic area covers 400 sq km of the country's second largest grassland. The grassland has quiet streams, fresh air and abundant vegetation. It's home to a 10th of China's Kazakh community, and its rolling hills are dotted with their camps

Source: china.org

Top attractions in Urumqi, China

Urumqi, which actually means "beautiful pasture" in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people, is the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China. It used to be a major hub on the Silk Road during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), and developed its reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain

At an altitude of 1,928 meters, the Heavenly Lake is located at the base of Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the eastern side of the Tianshan Mountains, located 110 kilometer east of Urumqi. Covering a total area of 380.69 square kilometers, the scenic spot includes the lake and its surrounding mountains.

Forged in a semi-circular shape, the lake is 3,400 meters long, 1,500 meters wide at its widest point, and 105 meters deep at its deepest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. The water, sourced from mountain snow, is crystal clear. It has been given the beautiful name of "Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains." In 1990, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot was included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program.

In summer, the Heavenly Lake is an ideal place to escape the season's heat; in winter, the frozen lake surrounded by the snow-capped mountains becomes a ski resort.

Admission: 100 yuan (US$16.07) / person (April 1-Oct. 31); 40 yuan (US$6.43) / person (Nov. 1–March 31)

International Grand Bazaar

The International Grand Bazaar, the central business district in Urumqi City, is renowned for being the biggest dry fruit, jade article and ethnic carpet trade center in the world of its kind. The construction of the bazaar was completed in late 2002, and it was opened to the public in 2003. Built in traditional Muslim style, the buildings here possess that very distinctive ethnic cultural feel and are visited by streams of customers every day.

Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, it features an 80-meter sight-seeing tower, an open mosque, an opera theater and a noshery. In addition, there are 3,000 stalls and individual shops, an underground parking lot and a Carrefour grocery store. It is now one of most famous landmarks in the entire city.

Admission: Free

Red Mountain Park

Located in the Urumqi city center, the Red Mountain Park was named after the reddish-brown mountain in the park. Formed about 250 million years ago, the mountain is situated along the Urumqi River, resembling a giant dragon just lying down there, stretching out its neck towards the river. Its abrupt cliff and particular location has earned itself the nickname of "Sacred Mountain." Measuring 910 meters in height, the mountain is 1.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. There is a nine-level brick tower sitting on the top of the mountain. Built in 1788, the tower has been well protected throughout the past 200 years. The Red Mountain is nowadays regarded as a symbol of the city.

Admission: Free

Shuimogou Park

Located 5 kilometers northeast of Urumqi City, Shuimogou Park is a famous scenic area inside a 1-kilometer-long canyon formed by a previous earthquake rupture. Surrounded by Qingquan Mountain, Shuita Mountain, Hongqiao Mountain and Wenquan Mountain, the park boasts green forests, colorful flowers, lakes and rivers, as well as temples and pavilions. Its most appealing feature are the hot springs scattered across the mountain. With an average temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius all year round, the springs are good helpers to relieve any skin conditions or arthritis.

Admission: 5 yuan (80 US cents)/ person

Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area

The Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area is located at the northern side of the Tianshan Mountains to the south of Urumqi. The area boasts snow-capped mountain peaks, vast grasslands, green forests, running waterfalls and massive rocks in various shapes and sizes. The major attractions include Miaor Gully, Shuixi Gully, Zhaobi Hill, Banfang Gully, Eastern and Western Baiyang Gullies, Daxi Gully and Gangou Gully. It is cool here in summertime and therefore makes a good place to get away from the usual summer heat.

Admission (pasture area): 20 yuan (US$3.21)/ person

Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum

he Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum was established in 1953 and opened to the public in 1963. It is the largest center of relics collection, protection, research and education within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The museum boasts a collection of 32,000 cultural relics. The articles on display highlight archaeological finds from the Silk Road and local cultural relics, including silk, ceramics, clay figures, coins, documents, books, weapons and appliances. There are also exhibitions on local folk customs such as traditional costumes, living habits, festival celebrations, food and etiquette.

Admission: Free

Glacier No.1

Located about 120 kilometers southwest of Urumqi city, Glacier No. 1 is the headstream of Urumqi River. It was formed some 4.8 million years ago during the third Ice Age. Among the five glaciers found around Urumqi, Glacier No.1 is the largest and claims the name of the one glacier closest to any metropolis in the world. Its height ranges from 3,800 meters to 4,000 meters, with a length of about 2.4 kilometers and average width of 500 meters. The glacier has been well-preserved and its landforms are very typical. The Glacier No.1 is referred to by geologists as "a living fossil," as it is the best place in China for both observing and researching modern and ancient glaciers.

Admission: 15 yuan (US$2.41) / person

Wulabo Ancient Town

Wulabo Ancient Town is located by Wulabo Lake, about 10 kilometers away from the southwestern suburbs of Urumqi City. It is an ancient site which can be traced back to the Tang and Yuan dynasties (618-1207). At an altitude of 1,100 above sea level, the town is shaped like a square, measuring 550 meters from south to north and 450 meters from east to west. Although it was built more than 1,000 years ago, the town has been well preserved. A great number of cultural relics, including pottery, bricks, gold earrings, copper mirrors, coins and jade wares, were found here.

Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.21) /person

Silk Road International Ski Resort

Located inside a national forest park in the Tianshan Mountains, 38 kilometers from the south of Urumqi City, the Silk Road International Ski Resort is the biggest in all of the northwest and one of the best in China. The altitude here goes from 1,800 meters to 2,500 meters and the average temperature in winter is around minus 10 degrees. It is a perfect place for skiing in winter and enjoying some cool air in summer.

The resort is equipped with six trails, two sets of sightseeing cable cars to an ancient forest, five sets of ropeways, a skateboarding field, a professional skating rink and many other entertainment facilities. 

Covering 12 square kilometers, the resort bears a skiing capacity of 10,000 people.

Average day spending: 300 yuan (US$48.16) /person

Shaanxi Grand Mosque

Located at Yonghezheng lane of Hepin Road in Urumqi, the Shaanxi Grand Mosque is estimated to have been built during the reigns of Qianlong (1735-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820), and again rebuilt in 1906 -- in the 32nd year of the Emperor Guangxu reign (1875-1908). Covering an area of 5,186 square meters, the mosque is the biggest mosque of the Hui Ethnic Group in Urumqi City.

The mosque is a quadrangle complex facing east. Its most prominent feature is the brick-timber construction with the glazed tile roof, in line with the style of construction in central China which is in fact rarely seen in Xinjiang. As a result it enjoys a high reputation with the Muslims of Urumqi and is of great historic and architectural value.

Admission: Free

Source: china.org