Things to do in Kuqa
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Top 10 attractions in Kuqa
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is also calledTianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, located in northern Kuqa, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. "Kizilia" means "red cliffs" in Uyghur, as the grand canyon is composed of massive red-brown mountain formations. The red-brown peaks of Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon soar into the sky, appearing like clusters of burning flames under sunlight. Entering the canyon and walking among the reddish-brown mountains feels like stepping into a tranquil, cool world. The canyon mouth is quite open, but as you venture deeper, the path winds through peaks, alternating between wide and narrow sections—some spots are barely wide enough for one person to pass sideways. The canyon floor is relatively flat, allowing for leisurely strolls most of the time, flanked by towering rock walls. Looking up, against the backdrop of the blue sky, countless bizarre peaks and rocks take on myriad forms: the divine dog guarding the valley, the swirling ancient castle, the apparition cave, the jade maiden spring, and views like the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon's resting camel peak—each vividly lifelike. Hidden in the canyon, the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon-Ai Grotto is less than 2 km from the valley entrance, perched high on a sheer cliff. Research indicates the grotto was built during the mid-Tang dynasty. The small cave measures less than 5 m in depth and approx. one person's height, with an arched ceiling. Fragments of murals remain on three walls, unusually featuring Chinese characters—a stark contrast to hundreds of other grottoes in ancient Western Regions, clearly showcasing traces of Han culture.Kuqa · 45.8km from downtown
Kuqa Prince's Mansion
King Palace In Kuqa is located in the old town of Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. It served as the residence for generations of Kuqa's local Uyghur princes since 1759. The original palace was reduced to ruins, and the current structure was meticulously reconstructed on its original site based on the memories of the last Kuqa prince, Dawut Mahsut. Covering a vast area of approximately 200–300 meters in length and width, the palace complex features multiple Uyghur-style buildings with vibrant interior designs, offering excellent photo opportunities throughout. The grounds include beautifully landscaped gardens and green spaces, creating a pleasant environment. The palace tour is divided into three main sections: the Kucha cultural exhibition area, the palace visiting area, and the ancient city wall. Visitors can explore the site on foot, with a recommended visiting time of around 2 hours. The Qiuci Culture Exhibition Area showcases the cultural customs of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom in Xinjiang's history, featuring numerous textual and pictorial descriptions, precious artifacts of Qiuci Buddhism, as well as exhibits of production tools, coins, and folk crafts from the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. The old city wall is an ancient structure within the princely residence and can be briefly viewed. The key visiting area is the princely residence section, which is displayed in its original form, including items once used by successive Kuqa kings. Wax figures recreate the daily life scenes of the princely family, allowing visitors to explore and experience the atmosphere of the Kuqa kings' lives. It's important to note that Dawut Mahsut, the last Kuqa king (also the last prince officially recognized by China's central government) who once resided in the princely residence, passed away on July 30, 2014. Visitors today can no longer meet him but can only tour the princely residence.Kuqa · 3.4km from downtown
Subash Buddhist Ruins
The Subash Buddhist Ruins, originally named "Subash Buddhist Temple" and also known as "Zhaohuli Grand Temple," are bisected by the roaring Kuqa River. Legend has it this river is the downstream section of the "Mother-Child River" from Journey to the West. These ancient ruins were first built during the Eastern Han Dynasty (1st century AD) and reached their zenith during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (6th–8th centuries AD). The renowned monk Xuanzang stopped here on his westward journey to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures. Seeing the temple filled with monks and bustling with incense offerings, he stayed for over two months to preach and spread Buddhist teachings. By the mid-7th century, after the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Protectorate relocated to Kucha, eminent monks from central China gathered here, with daily rituals flourishing amid morning bells and evening drums. However, the temple was burned down during warfare in the 9th century, leading to its gradual decline until its complete abandonment in the early 14th century. The East Subashi Temple faces the West Subashi Temple across the river. The East Temple has a slightly smaller architectural scale. The current ruins include a Buddhist hall with niches remaining on its damaged walls, and a pagoda standing outside the hall. The pagoda's base is square, with a three-tiered structure and a cylindrical upper section, now standing at a remaining height of approx. 8m. Surrounding the area are monastic quarters, meditation rooms, and other Buddhist architectural complexes.Kuqa · 17.5km from downtown
Kuche Temple
Kuche Temple is the second largest in Xinjiang.Id Kah MosqueThe second largest temple, located 4 km from Kuqa New Town. Among the numerous earthen buildings in Kuqa's old quarter, the green glazed dome of Kuche Temple shines brilliantly under the sunlight. The temple's gateway tower stands 18.3 meters tall, entirely built with blue bricks, with its towering minaret exuding solemn grandeur. The pillars are carved with Islamic-style patterns, and the domed roof resembles the celestial sphere. The prayer hall inside covers 1,500 square meters, accommodating up to 3,000 worshippers. Sixty-four hexagonal pillars arranged in eight rows, adorned with colorful carvings and paintings, support a magnificent ceiling composed of 102 grid-patterned panels, creating a splendid and awe-inspiring sight. Kuche Temple is said to have been built during the 16th century by Ishak Wali, leader of the Black Mountain faction of Islam in Xinjiang, while he stayed in Kuqa to preach after traveling from Kashgar. Originally constructed as an earthen mosque, it was rebuilt with wooden structures in the 17th century. After being destroyed by fire in 1923, the current temple was completed in 1931. Notably, north of the small prayer hall stands a historically significant "religious court"—a relic of theocratic governance and one of the few remaining Islamic judicial sites preserved in Xinjiang.Kuqa · 2.9km from downtown
Kuqa Big Nang City
Kuqa Big Nang City is not only a centralized hub for nang production and sales, but also a AAA-rated folk scenic tourist area. Covering 20,000 square meters, it is divided into two main sections: residential housing and commercial zones. The commercial area features a nang culture exhibition hall and an ethnic cuisine dining district.Large naanThe production workshop and naan exhibition and sales hall showcase various unique aspects of naan bread. At the Naan Culture Exhibition Hall, you can learn about various types of naan, each with its own unique characteristics, such as Kuqa large naan, sesame naan, walnut naan, and sheker naan.Kuqa · 580m from downtown
Kizilgaha Beacon Tower
Kizilgaha Beacon TowerIn Uyghur, it means "red-beaked crow" or "red sentry post," built during the Han Dynasty. This towering ancient military structure has withstood over 2,000 years of weathering yet still stands majestic today. It is one of the longest-standing and best-preserved rammed-earth beacon tower ruins among the hundreds along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang. The beacon tower's base is rectangular, measuring 6 meters east to west and 4.5 meters north to south, with a remaining height of 16 meters. It tapers from a wider base to a narrower top, gradually narrowing upward. Kizilgaha Beacon TowerThe main structure is built with rammed earth, with compacted layers about 15 cm thick. The upper part of the beacon tower features a wooden pillar framework, with each layer spaced approximately 1 meter apart, topped by adobe masonry. A watchtower was constructed on top, with remnants of wooden railings still visible. Due to prolonged weathering, the end section has eroded into a concave shape, forming a large groove. On the northern side lie collapsed ruins—remnants of ancient structures that once provided access to the beacon tower's summit.Kuqa · 9.9km from downtown
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 · 2.9km from downtown
Qiuci Alley
Qiuci Alley is located in Kuqa City and is a well-preserved district in the old town of Kuqa that retains the street layout and character of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China era, where you can sample a variety of local ethnic snacks.Kuqa · 2km from downtown
Kuche Grand Canyon National Geopark
Kuqa Grand Canyon National Geopark is located in Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. The park is characterized by canyons developed in the red sandstone of the Cenozoic.Kuqa · 32.3km from downtown
Hongshan Stone Forest
Hongshan Stone Forest is a natural landscape area dominated by red sandstone landforms. The rock formations in the stone forest are diverse, and have been shaped by weathering and erosion into unique landforms such as stone pillars, stone towers, and stone walls.Kuqa · 40.4km from downtown
Free things to do in Kuqa
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon
Kuqa · 45.8km from downtownKuqa Prince's Mansion
Kuqa · 3.4km from downtownSubash Buddhist Ruins
Kuqa · 17.5km from downtownKuche Temple
Kuqa · 2.9km from downtownKuqa Big Nang City
Kuqa · 580m from downtownKizilgaha Beacon Tower
Kuqa · 9.9km from downtownOld City of Kuche
Kuqa · 2.9km from downtownQiuci Alley
Kuqa · 2km from downtownKuche Grand Canyon National Geopark
Kuqa · 32.3km from downtownHongshan Stone Forest
Kuqa · 40.4km from downtown
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What travellers say about Kuqa
Anonymous user10 October 2026
5.0
This modern-day princely mansion, built in the last century based on the oral recollections of the last prince, is a somewhat lackluster attraction—you can't really skip it since you're already there. However, it's still quite pleasant to stroll around when connected to the old alleyways outside. The basic infrastructure of the scenic area is quite good; the restrooms are very clean, and the cleaning staff are always on hand. The staff are also very friendly.
Kuqa Prince's Mansion
110***689 October 2026
5.0
Kuqa
Finally, I can smell the scent of the Western Regions Protectorate!
Two World Heritage Sites: Kizilgaha Beacon Tower (Han Dynasty) and Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins (Tang Dynasty).
Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is known as the Red Outpost, guarding the Han Dynasty.
Subashi Buddhist Temple witnessed the Tripitaka Master preaching and propagating Buddhism.
The temple ruins are not large; you can finish in an hour. Driving is recommended.
Drones are not allowed.
Subash Buddhist Ruins
小豆冰果29 October 2025
5.0
The Kuqa Grand Mosque is the second largest mosque in Xinjiang after the Kashgar Id Kah Mosque. It is located at the highest point of the Heidun Bazaar in the old city of Kuqa, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, about 4 kilometers from the new city of Kuqa. The following is a brief introduction:
Kuche Temple
didiann20017 June 2025
4.0
It's OK. There are performances. If I hadn't been with a tour group, I probably wouldn't have come! The main reason is that the time is not good. It's the hottest time in the afternoon. I don't want to do anything but lie down! I suggest that the scenic spot sell bags. People who come to visit will definitely buy them!
Kuqa Big Nang City
pekingwang19 September 2020
5.0
The old city of Kuqa is not well preserved, but it is very flavorful, with a strong ethnic color and bright colors. However, the naan shop here is really attractive, and the freshly baked safflower naan costs only 4 yuan each.
Old City of Kuche
首席迷路体验师3 April 2026
5.0
The alleyways of Kuqa are beautiful at night, perfect for a stroll and experiencing the lively atmosphere of an old town. It's one of the most interesting places in Kuqa.
Qiuci Alley
