Things to do in Bohu

No. 7 of Family-friendly Attractions in Xinjiang

Bosten Lake

Bosten Lake, also known as Bohu, was historically called the Western Sea. Located in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, it is China's largest inland freshwater lake and Xinjiang's premier lake. The surrounding area boasts stunning landscapes, including vast reed beds swaying in the wind, sunlit beaches reminiscent of coastal shores, and tranquil wetland fishing villages. Visitors can admire Xinjiang's rare wetland and seaside scenery, enjoy boat tours on the lake, and savor local delicacies in the fishing villages. It's a top destination for summer retreats, leisure, and vacation getaways in Xinjiang. Bosten Lake spans a vast area across Bohu County and Hoxud County, with several attractions developed along its shores, covering most areas accessible by the lakeside road. Most visitors explore the lake by visiting these attractions. If you prefer to enjoy the lake without entering the attractions, you can head to the lakeside villages directly east of Bohu town, though these areas offer limited entertainment and amenities, making them less recommended. The best season to visit Bosten Lake is summer, when it attracts mostly local Xinjiang residents. During this time, the lake's shimmering waters, lush wetlands, and scenic views of lotus flowers and migratory birds create a picturesque setting. Additionally,Bosten LakeIce and snow tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years, making winter a great time to enjoy ice activities and skiing. When visiting Bosten Lake, you can explore just one side or take a scenic tour around the entire lake. Currently, the entire southern shore of the lake area is planned asBosten LakeThe south shore tourist area operates on a single-ticket system, featuring the most scenic lakeside views in this region. With better facilities and services, it serves as the main destination for exploring Bosten Lake. Current attractions along the south shore from west to east include:Lotus Lake > Ahongkou > Water Pumping Station > Egret IslandIt takes about a day to visit all the attractions.LianhuahuLocated on the western side, this area doesn't feature vast lake scenery but rather 16 small lakes divided by reeds and lotus ponds. Visitors can admire numerous water lilies here, making it a prime flower photography destination every summer.LianhuahuThere is also a cruise service available for sightseeing on the large lake.AhongkouandLianhuahuThe scenery here is similar, featuring wetland landscapes with beautiful lotus flowers to admire, but you can also see the expansive lake in the distance.Egret IsletLocated on the eastern side, this lakeside desert transforms into a typical coastal beach scene due to the vast lake area, creating a uniquely striking contrast in the inland depths of Xinjiang. Visitors can enjoy swimming and water activities here during summer, experiencing the same relaxation and fun as coastal attractions. Come winter,Bosten LakeThe main location for ice and snow activities is also here. Additionally, there's another spot on the eastern side of the South Bank attraction.Haixin MountainIt is a hill extending into the lake, perfect for photography, and those interested can visit to take pictures. Besides the south shore tourist area, other lakeside attractions include the Dahekou Scenic Area on the east shore and the Jinshatan Scenic Area in Hoxud County on the north shore.Tian'ge Island (Yinsha Beach) AttractionDeng. Also known as Xihai Fishing Village, the Dahekou scenic area features lush reed marshes, charming lotus ponds, and is a prime spot for speedboating on the lake. This birdwatching paradise offers lakeside restaurants serving delicious freshwater fish and organizes barbecue activities by the shore, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Bohu

Bosten Lake Dahekou Scenic Area

Bosten Lake Dahekou Scenic AreaLocated on the western shore of Bohu County's Bosten Lake in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, this national 5A-level natural attraction—formerly known as Xihai Fishing Village—has been developed around core tourism resources including wetland views, reed marshes, lotus ponds, ethnic customs, and cultural festivals. The destination integrates wetland sightseeing, eco-leisure, folk experiences, and cultural exploration into a comprehensive "Bosten" cultural experience. Positioned as "Xinjiang's water playground and a leisure resort for all residents," it aims to make Dahekou the birthplace of entertainment dreams.

Lotus Sea World

Bohu County is named after the country's largest inland freshwater lake, Bosten Lake. Bosten Lake Attraction has become the eighth national 5A-level tourist area in Xinjiang. Bosten Lake has a long history, brilliant culture, many moving legends, and unique ethnic customs. Bosten Lake has beautiful natural scenery. There are the largest wild water lilies in the country and a large number of migratory birds in the lake. It is a good place for people to visit, relax, vacation, live and work. The lake area is rich in tourism resources and beautiful natural scenery. The lake water, the source of life, the desert of the sea of ​​death, the wetland of the kidney of the earth, and the Mongolian characteristics of the horse-riding people are organically integrated to form a stunning and beautiful landscape. In spring, the lake view is like a poem and a picture; in summer, you can board a boat to cruise the lake and cut through the waves; in autumn, you can row a boat to taste the lake and feel relaxed and happy; in winter, the lake is frozen for thousands of miles and the surface is like a mirror. Visitors can swim in the "West Sea" without distraction between the blue sky and clear water, or savor the delicious wild fish soup of "West Sea First Pot" in the picturesque scenery. The charming scenery of the scenic Attraction in different seasons presents different unique charms. There are scenery in four seasons, and there are emotions in four seasons. Ahongkou is the largest wild water lily scenic Attraction in China. 400,000 mu of wild water lilies grow by the water. It is known as the pearl necklace of Bosteng Lake. During the May Day holiday, the ten thousand mu of wild water lilies in Ahongkou Attraction are vying to emerge from the water and the best viewing period. The clear lake water, the graceful water lilies, and the wild water lilies that have been sleeping under the water for the whole winter are particularly eye-catching under the swaying of wind and waves. Take a boat on the water "painted boat" to the center of the lake. The dancing lotus leaves on the water reflect the entire lake red, which makes tourists reluctant to leave. In particular, the noble quality of lotus "coming out of the mud without being stained" is also a good classroom for many parents and elders to educate their children. Because the wild water lilies have just emerged from the water, their leaves are bright red and their branches are about to bloom, they are also symbolized as "prosperous" and "a good start", so every year during the May Day holiday, tourists rush to watch and pray for a "prosperous" and "good start" family and career in the year. The charming scenery and humanistic culture of the Ahongkou Attraction are also known as the "first scene" of the opening of the Bosten Lake Attraction. It is the "first stop" where tourists must experience blessings every year. Bosten Lake is one of the "four major reed areas" in the country, with nearly 600,000 mu of wild reeds. Through artificial cultivation and natural renewal, during the May Day holiday every year, 600,000 mu of wild reeds in Ahongkou pierce the water and grow new buds. At a glance, it fully shows the tenacity and poetry of Li Bai's "wildfires cannot burn them all, and spring breezes blow them back to life" The dense green reeds and crisscrossing walking paths in the Attraction together form a huge and mysterious "green maze". Once you stray into the depths of the reed lake, you will feel like you are in a "maze". You can experience a wetland adventure trip, which attracts many outdoor explorers every year. Because the air rich in natural negative oxygen ions from wild reeds can help the human body regulate cardiopulmonary function, during the holidays, there are more "green field tracking" treasure hunting, camping and other activities that students and children love, allowing you and your family to enjoy the fun of the fairyland in the natural reed maze. The waters of Bosten Lake are famous at home and abroad for their abundant fish, lush grass and abundant wild delicacies. The five-way black carp of childhood, wild big grass carp, fierce big black fish, nutritious pond elm, mysterious "travel to the west fish", and delicious "grilled wild fish" are all available in the Ahongkou Attraction. The fish in Ahongkou Attraction constantly challenges the taste buds of tourists with their unique "wild flavor, fresh and delicious, spicy and refreshing, spicy and fragrant flavor". The Attraction has a unique traditional secret grilled fish, which is delicious and affordable, and all uses wild ingredients. Especially wild fresh crucian carp is a good tonic for women and children. Tourists can also experience the activities of catching and grilling fish on the spot with their families under the guidance of the grilled fish master. It is also a paradise for many food lovers and foodies. Ahongkou Attraction is also the largest wetland park in Bosten Lake. Due to its humid climate and lush aquatic plants, it attracts a large number of rare water birds during the May Day holiday every year to build nests and reproduce. In order to protect and care for nature and our common friends, the Attraction has built an artificial bird island specifically for these water birds. There are many species of birds on the island, which is a paradise of aquatic plants where water birds and humans live in harmony. In the early morning, cormorants and fishermen go boating to fish, egrets and wild ducks compete for dance at noon, and swans fall in love in pairs in the evening. Ospreys are circling in the sky, water chickens are flocking on the water, kingfishers are flying in the reed marshes, and ducks are chasing each other under the water. When tourists pass by on speedboats, hundreds of birds on the water and reed marshes are singing, vying to fly up, and it is extremely lively. Ahongkou Scenic Attraction is also a "romantic island" for young people to meet, spend a lifetime of vacation and hold hands. It is the "viewing spot" for wedding photography in the whole Bazhou. It is also known as the "holy land of courtship". There is a love motto: "If you love her, take her to Ahongkou Bird Island to confess your love." Ahongkou Attraction has a wide water area, the water is blue, the vision is vast, and the water transportation is luxurious and atmospheric, suitable for all ages. There are young people who like to pursue excitement here, and the lake speedboats as fast as the "Heaven Thunder" pierce the lake surface in an instant and gallop freely; there are adults who like to express their feelings for the mountains and rivers, and the "painted boats" on the water with a very "Chinese style" let you and your family and elders enjoy the poetry and relief of the Jiangnan water town and the light boat passing through thousands of mountains. You can also take a speedboat or a pleasure boat to the "Lotus Sea Pavilion" in the Attraction, where you can experience the grand and fascinating "overlooking all the mountains". Climbing to the top of the "Lotus Sea Pavilion", you can see the charming scenery of the Attraction, which is also a sacred place for journalists and photography enthusiasts. Looking across the water, the mysterious "colorful landscape" formed by the water and sky of Ahongkou, thousands of acres of water lilies, thousands of hectares of reeds, and hundreds of miles of desert complement each other. Let you completely wash away the troubles and sorrows that have been lingering for a long time and return to yourself.

Peacock Beach Waterpark Beach

Peacock Beach Water Park currently has open "Children's Pool", "Water Fort Pool", "Wave Pool", "Tsunami Pool", "High-speed Rainbow Slide", and "Revolving Slide". The lazy river, spa pool, and trumpet will also be open soon. The beach bathing area near the lake is located at the source of the Peacock River on the south bank of Bosteng Lake. It includes the beach bathing area, beach leisure area, beach sports area, Dining and leisure area and other functional sections, equipped with more than ten kinds of water sports such as speedboats, sailboats, banana boats, motorboats, kayaks, etc. In the summer of 2018, the Attraction once again added popular water entertainment projects, such as water obstacle course, water volleyball, beach football, bumper ball and other projects.

Bosten Lake - Bailuzhou

Bailuzhou is made up of several differentareas,covering a large area with abundant recreational facilities. It is a place to escape the summer heat and go skiing in winter. It is a destination suitable for year-round visits.

Haixin Mountain Sceneic Area

Qigexing Buddhist Temple Ruins

On the vast land of Xinjiang, the dust of history conceals countless treasures of civilization, located in Yanqi Hui Autonomous County of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.Seven Star Buddha Temple RuinsThis ancient temple, dating back to the Jin and Tang dynasties, stands as a significant testament to the eastward spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road. With its unique cultural value and weathered historical charm, it captivates countless history enthusiasts and adventure seekers.The Seven Stars Buddhist Temple, known as "Ming Wu" in Uyghur (meaning "a thousand rooms"), was once a significant Buddhist center in the ancient Yanqi Kingdom. The ruins are located on a Gobi terrace at the southern foot of the Huola Mountains, consisting of the South Temple, North Temple, and cave complexes. During its peak, the site was a gathering place for monks and dotted with pagodas, serving as a core hub for Buddhist dissemination among the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. Research indicates the temple was built between the 3rd and 4th centuries AD and remained active until the Song and Yuan dynasties. Together with the Kizil Caves and the Gaochang Ruins, it outlines the track of Buddhism's spread along the northern route of the Silk Road. The ruins feature scattered remnants of stupas, monastic cells, and temple foundations, where despite centuries of wind and sand erosion, the grand layout of the "Seven-Hall Monastery" can still be discerned. Archaeological discoveries—such as clay Buddha statues, mural fragments, and Sanskrit palm-leaf manuscripts—attest to this site's former glory as a sacred hub where Buddhist art intersected with diverse cultures. Particularly invaluable are the Tocharian manuscripts and Gandharan artistic elements with Hellenistic influences unearthed here, revealing Yanqi's unique role as a crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations. The artifacts from the Qixing Buddhist Temple serve as crucial keys to understanding the history of Buddhism in the Western Regions. The murals depict serene Buddha faces with flowing robes, blending the elegance of India's Gupta Dynasty with the linear beauty of Central Plains painting traditions. Excavated clay Bodhisattva statues adorned with jeweled crowns and cascading necklaces reflect the aesthetic tastes of Central Asia's Kushan Empire. Additionally, Sogdian documents and Chinese inscriptions found at the monastery ruins offer vivid evidence of bustling Silk Road trade and monastic exchanges. It is worth mentioning that the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang passed through Yanqi during his westward journey to obtain Buddhist scriptures. In his "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions," he documented this area as having "over ten monasteries with more than two thousand monks." Although he did not specifically mention the Qigexing Buddhist Temple, his description of the prosperous scene closely matches the scale of the ruins, providing important clues for later generations to reconstruct history.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Xinjiang

Tianshan Tianchi

Tianshan Tianchi, also known as Tianchi National Geological Park and called "Yaochi" in ancient times, is located in Fukang, Changji Prefecture, on the northern side of Bogda Peak. It is approx. 110 km from Ürümqi and is a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. In ancient Chinese mythology, Tianchi was also the bathing place of the Queen Mother of the West. Tianchi Lake sits at an altitude of 1910 m, with a maximum depth of 105 m. The lake reflects the Bogda Peak, surrounded by spruce trees, creating a fairy-tale-like scenery. The attraction encompasses natural views such as alpine lakes, wetland meadows, and forested canyons. In 2013, it was designated as a national geological park. When visiting Tianchi, don't just explore the lakeshore—you'll miss many surprising sub-attractions. Recommended hiking routes, lakeside pier - Haixi beach, lakeside pier - East small heavenly pool (Flying dragon pool) The Tianchi attraction features three water bodies: the main lake plus two others on its eastern and western sides. The eastern one is "East Xiaotianchi," also called Heilong Pool, located 500 m east of Tianchi. Below the pool lies a sheer cliff where a waterfall plunges down like a rainbow, giving the site its name "Hanging spring and jade rainbow." On the west side lies "West Xiaotianchi," also known as Jade Maiden Pool, located approx. 2 km northwest of Tianchi Lake. The pool, shaped like a full moon and encircled by towering pines, earned its poetic name "Dragon Pool under the jade moon" from the serene moonlit reflections on its surface. A waterfall cascades beside the pool, plunging dozens of meters like a silver river descending from heaven, dubbed the "Jade belt with silver curtain." Above the pool stands the Sound of Waves Pavilion, offering a unique vantage point to admire the waterfall. All attractions within the scenic area are connected by boardwalks, accessible on foot. On the eastern shore of Tianchi Lake stands the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West, originally built during the Yuan Dynasty. The current structure was reconstructed in 1999 on the original temple site, dedicated to the worship of the Queen Mother of the West, hence also known as the "Queen Mother Temple". It can be reached by hiking along the lakeside boardwalk (approx. 2 hrs) or by taking a cruise. The temple offers excellent views of Tianchi Lake. Maya Mountain requires taking a shuttle bus + cable car. The towering cliffs and numerous stone peaks present a breathtaking sight; from afar, they resemble a row of horse teeth, while looking up, they appear as if jagged rocks are competing in grandeur and stacked cliffs are vying in beauty, creating a mesmerizing view. This view of Maya Mountain is formed by rock weathering.The summit of Maya Mountain is relatively flat, featuring lush grasslands covered with butter grass in summer and dotted with colorful flowers. Standing here, you can take in the panoramic view of Heaven Lake to the north, while the Bogda Peak to the east and the snow-capped mountains to the south seem within reach. To the west, the farmlands on the outskirts of Urumqi are also clearly visible.

bo si teng hu lian hai shi jie jing qu lian hua guang chang

No. 1 of Night Attractions in Korla

Kongque River

Kongque River originates from Bosten Lake, flows out from the western part of the lake, passes through the Iron Gate Pass canyon, travels east through Korla and Yuli County, and historically ended at Lop Nor. It is a rare river with almost no tributaries, nourishing the oasis of Korla and regarded by locals as their mother river. The origin of the river's name is quite interesting: legend has it that the famous Eastern Han general Ban Chao once watered his horses here, hence it is also known as the "Yinma River"; the name "Kongque" comes from a Uyghur transliteration, originally meaning "tanner," as it is said that tanners used to wash leather in the river in the past. The section flowing through the urban area of Korla has undergone years of renovation, and today it features open waters and tree-lined banks. Since 2000, a scenic tourist belt stretching about 10 km has been built along the river, with stone embankments connecting green spaces like Kongque Park and Lixiang Park, as well as several bridges with unique designs. Every April, the pear blossoms in Lixiang Park by the river are in full bloom, with the flowers reflecting in the clear water, living up to Korla's name as the "Pear City." Another aspect of this river's scenery awaits in winter: starting every fall and winter, flocks of swans fly to the Kongque River to overwinter. This phenomenon has continued for many years, and Korla is therefore known as the "City of Swans."