4 Recommended Tourist Attractions in Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region – A City Where the Uyghur People Live!

The People’s Republic of China is home to many ethnic groups across its vast territory. While the Miao people are one of the most famous minority groups, the renowned Uyghur people live in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Aksu, located between Kashgar in the west of the region and Kuqa in the north-central part, is one such town.

Many Uyghur people are Muslim and are easily recognized by the brimless white hats they wear. They enjoy a variety of simple foods, such as grilled lamb skewers, and in Muslim-operated restaurants, no alcoholic beverages are served.

Here are some sightseeing spots in Aksu, a Chinese city infused with Islamic culture.

1. Donghuan Underground Street

Located near the intersection of Dongdajie (“East Main Street”) and Huandong Road, this shopping area is famous among both tourists and locals for offering high-quality goods. At the intersection, a large pedestrian bridge connects all directions. From there, walk southeast along Huandong Road and you’ll see the sign for “Donghuan Underground Street.” The area is surrounded by clusters of 5- and 6-story buildings, so keep an eye out while looking for it.

Inside the underground street are shops selling cosmetics, clothing, bedding, and more—making it one of Aksu’s representative shopping areas. Since Aksu lies between Kashgar and Kuqa, it serves as a transit hub and has an airport, making it an accessible destination for sightseeing. Unlike Beijing or Shanghai, here you can browse unique Xinjiang products while exploring.

2. Zhang Ji Snack City

In a pleasant area lined with plane trees on both sides of the road, you’ll find “Zhang Ji Snack City,” a place serving Xinjiang cuisine. The street is also home to the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Post, and several hotels, making it a great spot to enjoy a meal in Aksu. It’s located northwest of Aksu Station, near the intersection of North Main Street and Xinhua Road, with wide sidewalks perfect for leisurely strolling.

Aksu offers the chance to savor local specialties like lamb skewers, so feel free to pop into a restaurant. When choosing a place, look for spots with many customers—Chinese diners only go to tasty places, which is a great tip to follow. Also, spotting shop signs written in both Chinese and Uyghur will really make you feel you’ve arrived in Aksu.

3. Wenzhou Road Pedestrian Street

Wenzhou Road Pedestrian Street, known for its symmetrical, modern-style buildings, is a popular sightseeing spot in Aksu. Passing through the grand entrance leads you into a pedestrian-only zone where you can shop without worrying about cars. Along the street are specialty leather shoe stores, the Guanghua Bookstore, and hotels, making it a convenient shopping destination for visitors.

At the Huandong Road entrance, you’ll find “Guoda Underground Mall” and “Guoda Commercial City.” The underground levels house shops, while the upper levels are apartments. These apartment buildings are about 10 stories high and located near Aksu’s main streets, such as Huandong Road and Dongdajie, offering an excellent location. High-rise apartments in a desert town are quite a sight worth seeing!

4. Jinlong Underground Street

Jinlong Underground Street is located near the intersection of Dongdajie and Jiankang Road, close to the Aksu City Government Office, in the city’s busiest commercial district. The streets are lined with trees about 3 meters tall, creating a refreshing atmosphere.

This underground commercial facility was renovated by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. It was built with approval from the National People’s Air Defense Office and jointly designed by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Underground Design Department and the Nanjing Engineering Corps Underground Design Department. Initially constructed in April 2002 by Jinlong Real Estate Development Company, it failed the Autonomous Region Fire Department’s inspection after completion in 2003, leading to its renovation.

Jinlong Underground Street is an independent underground building with a total construction cost of 40 million yuan. The ceiling height is 4.5 meters, with a total length of 268.5 meters and a width of 16.5 meters, allowing for spacious exploration. It houses over 170 shops selling clothing, shoes, hats, daily necessities, and more. More than 10,000 people, including tourists, visit each day!

◎ Summary

This guide introduced shopping-focused areas such as “Donghuan Underground Street” and “Jinlong Underground Street.” Aksu’s main development is centered around Dongdajie, so keep that in mind when booking hotels. Since it’s not a very large city, you can also decide where to go after you arrive.

When sightseeing in Aksu and the wider Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, note that attractions are far apart, so travel time will take up a significant portion of your trip. Be sure to plan your route efficiently based on location. Also, despite China’s vast east-west span, the entire country uses Beijing Standard Time—so in Aksu, it can still be as bright as day at 7 PM.

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4 Recommended Tourist Attractions in Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region – A City Where the Uyghur People Live!