Things to do in Kuqa

I originally planned to go to Wensu Grand Canyon, but it was closed due to weather, so I went to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon instead. Luckily, the weather was great; with the blue sky, the canyon's colors were particularly bright, and the contrasts were even more striking, making it perfect for taking photos in bright colors. The temperature difference inside the canyon is significant, depending on whether you get sun exposure. I recommend bringing a scarf this season; it's warm and can also be used as a photo prop. Although the scenic area isn't very large, walking around and taking photos will still take about two hours. If you don't want to walk, you can take the park shuttle bus or choose to ride a camel.

The palace itself is a replica, and the exhibition hall introducing Kucha culture inside is rather basic; it's better to visit the Kucha Museum. There's another exhibition hall about the last prince's deeds in the People's Republic of China, which is worth a look. The entire visit takes less than an hour, so you can skip it. You can stroll around the commercial street near the entrance; there are naan shops frequented by locals.

This is a highly recommended attraction, but the experience is significantly diminished without a car. The scenic area is vast; even with a car, the journey takes about three hours, including a short rest at the cliffside café (less than an hour). It's senior-friendly; you won't need to walk much if you don't visit the cliffside café. The entire area is by car. The roads are excellent, and all types of vehicles can pass. Visiting in the morning is ideal; there's no need to wait for the afternoon sun. The canyon doesn't feel deep, but rather expansive. A visit to the adjacent Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon in the afternoon would be perfect.

Unless you're a professional or an enthusiast, there's no need to make a special trip here, and the price isn't great. However, it was very quiet during the National Day holiday, and the walk in and out took no more than 20 minutes. It's just one floor with a few excavation sites of Wei and Jin dynasty tombs, so you can see the fusion of Kucha and Central Plains cultures. I did manage to buy some Kucha travel-themed fridge magnets here, but the ones from other places weren't particularly special.

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.

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:

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!

The ticket price is cheap and the price is high. It's one of Xinjiang's six World Cultural Heritage Sites, though the adjacent grottoes are unfortunately closed. The staff were very friendly. There weren't many tourists, so there weren't any crowds.

Free to walk around. The long road you pass by when you take the bus to Kuche Palace is the main street of the old city. The facades on both sides of the road are colorful and have a vicissitudes of life. They are a little older than those in Yining Old City, but the door and window decoration designs don't seem to be repeated. Each facade is unique. The alleys that lead into the residential area are all set up with security checks, so I didn't go in to see.

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.