Aksu – Wetlands, Parks and Culture

Aksu offers experiences in nature by the water, as well as a variety of city parks and cultural attractions. The National Wetland Park, the parks in the city, the museum and Aksu Old Street each offer something different. So when looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Aksu, it’s worth first considering what kind of experiences you want to shape your stay.

Wetlands and migratory birds along the Duolang River

Aksu National Wetland Park lies on the northwestern outskirts of the city. It covers more than 7,000 mu; 60 percent of its area is covered by water, and the park includes a total of 22 lakes. These figures give the wetland its distinctive watery character. Visitors can stroll along forest paths. Ducks and cormorants live in the lakes, while butterflies fly among the flowers.

Migratory birds also define the area: the wetland park along the Duolang River serves as a stopover for them. During migration season, thousands of birds stay there, some for more than two months. Swans also arrive every year and stay until January. The park is used year-round for recreation, leisure activities and relaxation. Those who want to focus on nature and birdlife during their trip will find a different emphasis here than at the city parks and cultural sites.

City parks with a variety of features

Happiness Park is in the center of Aksu. Its development began in September 2018, and the park officially opened to the public in July 2019. Its facilities include fitness trails, sports facilities and public toilets. It is used for walks and exercise, and is also suitable for playing with children. This makes it a practical option for a break in the city center if exercise or spending time with children is part of the stay you have in mind.

Longtan Lake Park combines cultural and sports activities with activities for older people, children’s entertainment and ecological recreation. It also has an area for camping with your own vehicle. Fengquan Park, by contrast, focuses on spending time by the water, enjoying the scenery, picnicking, relaxing and playing. These different offerings can help you choose experiences that suit your travel plans, without reducing the parks to a single purpose.

Binhe Park and Jinxiu Park offer further points of interest. Binhe Park is divided into four sections: “Modern Light,” “Soul of Duolang,” “Charm of Qiuci” and “Civil-Military Unity.” Jinxiu Park is an ecological cultural center offering business, culture, recreation and sightseeing. If you plan to visit parks, you can take these names and features into account when choosing your outings.

The museum, Old Street and memorial sites

Aksu Museum is located on the city’s West Square and houses 11,200 cultural relics. To get there by bus, you can take Route 2 and get off at the Aksu Convenience Service Center stop. This is a practical guide for a museum visit, whether you are mainly interested in the collections or in the city’s other attractions.

Aksu Old Street is next to Yiganqi Village in Yiganqi Township, Aksu City. Its night market offers a wide range of foods to try; visitors can also watch performances there. The Aksu People’s Heroes Monument also stands on the banks of the Duolang River. Its inscription reads “The people’s heroes live forever” and consists of eight Chinese characters. The museum, market and monument thus offer different ways to experience the city’s culture and life.

Whether you want to focus on nature, parks or culture during your holiday rental stay in Aksu can help guide your choice of outings. Other destinations to consider for your trip are Ürümqi, Kumul, Turpan, Altay, Karamay, Ili, Changji and Bortala.

For the main travel overview: Xinjiang.