Overview: Also known as Kuqa Grand Canyon, it combines the wonders of earthly canyons and the beauty of Tianshan Mountain scenery, containing the aura of ancient times and integrating divinity, strangeness, danger, majesty, antiquity and seclusion. The reddish-brown mountain groups rise straight into the sky, and under the sunlight, they are like clusters of burning flames.
Tourist Tips: The best time to visit is in summer when the temperature inside the canyon is relatively pleasant. After entering the canyon, visitors can walk along the trails to admire the unique textures and shapes of the rock walls and experience the uncanny craftsmanship of nature. Due to the rich changes in light within the canyon, it is very suitable for photography enthusiasts to take great photos.
Tomur Peak National Nature Reserve
Overview: It is a gathering place of alpine natural landscapes, with magnificent snow-capped mountains, vast glaciers, deep forests and broad grasslands, etc. It is also the home of many rare wild animals and plants, such as snow leopards, ibexes, snow lotuses, etc.
Tourist Tips: It is suitable for outdoor adventure enthusiasts and photography enthusiasts. Some areas can be hiked through to enjoy the natural beauty, but relevant permits need to be applied for in advance and high-altitude acclimatization preparations should be made. In the reserve, strict compliance with the regulations is required, and the environment should not be damaged and wild animals should not be disturbed at will.
Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves
Overview: It is the earliest excavated and the most westerly large-scale grotto group in China. It was roughly excavated in the 3rd century AD and gradually ceased construction in the 8th 9th centuries AD, with a continuation time that is unique in the world. Its murals are rich in content, not only depicting Buddhist “Jataka tales”, “Buddha’s life stories”, “Karma tales”, etc., but also a large number of scenes reflecting the social life at that time.
Tourist Tips: It is best to follow a professional tour guide’s explanation during the visit to better understand the connotation and historical value of the murals. It should be noted that taking photos inside the caves is prohibited to protect cultural relics.
Aksu Old Street
Overview: It has a strong Uyghur style. Here, traditional Uyghur architectural styles can be seen, and there are various specialty shops on both sides of the street, selling handicrafts, ethnic costumes, special snacks, etc.
Tourist Tips: Visitors can choose to go there in the evening when the old street is lit up and has a more charming atmosphere. They can taste local snacks, buy some special souvenirs and enjoy the traditional art performances of folk artists.
Travel Route Planning
One-day Tour Route
Morning: Go to Tian Shan Mysterious Grand Canyon to view the unique canyon scenery and visit for about 3 4 hours.
Noon: Have a meal at a restaurant near the grand canyon and taste local special cuisine.
Afternoon: Go to Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves to visit the ancient grotto art for about 2 3 hours, and then return to the urban area of Aksu.
Two-day Tour Route
First Day
Second Day
Food Guide
Special Cuisine
Aksu Apple
Features: The surface of the apple is smooth and delicate with a natural bright color, thin skin and thick flesh, sweet juice and high sugar content, and has a rich fragrance.
Places to Taste: Authentic Aksu apples can be tasted and purchased in local orchards, fruit stalls and major supermarkets in Aksu. Especially in autumn when the apples are ripe, visitors can also pick apples in the orchards in person.
Kuqa Big Nan (Flatbread)
Features: The big nan is famous for being large, thin, crispy and fragrant. It can be about one meter in diameter and only a few centimeters thick. There are various patterns and imprints on the nan, making it not only a delicious food but also a work of art.
Places to Taste: There are nan shops on the streets and alleys in the urban area of Aksu and Kuqa County. Among them, the nan in Kuqa is the most authentic. Visitors can buy hot nan just out of the oven to taste.
Grilled Mutton Skewers
Features: Selected local high-quality mutton with a proper mix of fat and lean meat is skewered with red willow branches and grilled. During the grilling process, the red willow branches secrete a unique fragrance that blends into the mutton, giving the mutton skewers a unique flavor, with tender and juicy meat and a rich roasted aroma.
Places to Taste: Night markets and some barbecue stalls are good places to taste grilled mutton skewers. For example, there are many barbecue stalls with good reputations in the night market in Aksu.
Hand-grabbed Rice
Features: It is made mainly from rice, mutton, carrots, onions, etc. through stewing. The rice grains are distinct, the mutton is tender, and the carrots and onions become soft and sweet after stewing, mixed with the fragrance of mutton, rich in nutrition and mellow in taste.
Places to Taste: General Uyghur restaurants serve hand-grabbed rice, and the hand-grabbed rice in some time-honored restaurants is more authentic and delicious.
Thin-skinned Steamed Buns
Features: The skin of the bun is rolled very thin, and the filling inside can almost be seen through the skin. The filling is mainly made of mutton and onions, with an appropriate amount of pepper, salt and other seasonings added. After steaming, the bun has a thin skin and large filling and tastes delicious.
Places to Taste: When having breakfast or a main meal in a Uyghur restaurant, you can order thin-skinned steamed buns. Usually, they can be eaten together with hand-grabbed rice.
Recommended Food Streets/Stores
Aksu Night Market
Features: It gathers various special cuisines in Aksu. In addition to the above-mentioned grilled mutton skewers and hand-grabbed rice, there are also roasted whole lamb, lamb offal, yogurt zongzi (a kind of snack combining yogurt and glutinous rice dumpling), various seasonal fruits, etc. The night market is lively, and visitors can taste delicious food while experiencing the local market atmosphere.
Location: It is located in the urban area of Aksu. The specific location can be found through local map navigation software.
Wang San Street
Features: There are many special restaurants and snack shops on the street, mainly serving traditional Uyghur cuisine and Xinjiang special dishes. Besides food, this street also has a certain cultural heritage and historical significance.
Location: It is located in the urban area of Aksu with convenient transportation.
