Located at the intersection of Shihua Avenue and Yingbin Road in Korla City, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Bayingolin Prefecture Museum is a national 4A-level tourist attraction and a national second-class museum. Founded in 1990, the new museum was completed in 2009, with a total construction area of 18,972 square meters, an exhibition area of 10,220 square meters, and a building height of 50 meters. Its appearance takes the Great Wall beacon tower as the main design body, with the Mongolian Vajra Stupa as the building base, and huge bronze reliefs in the middle of the four facades, showing four wonderful historical fragments of Bayingolin. The museum vividly displays the history and culture of Bayingolin through scene simulation, physical display, computer demonstration and other means, making cultural relics "come alive".
Historical Culture
Bayingolin Prefecture Museum has a collection of 10,230 cultural relics (sets), covering cultural relics from the Neolithic Age to the founding of the People's Republic of China, including 20 first-class cultural relics, 96 second-class cultural relics, and 571 third-class cultural relics. These cultural relics are precious evidence of the history of exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups, providing scientific historical evidence for the study of the history of the Chinese nation community and the pluralistic integrated pattern. Through exhibitions, the museum integrates new research and achievements in the management of Xinjiang by the Western Regions Frontier Command in the Han Dynasty, the Silk Road, bamboo and paper documents of the Han and Jin Dynasties, and beacon towers into the exhibition content, reproducing the historical picture of exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups, so that the masses can correctly understand the history of Xinjiang and enhance cultural confidence and the cohesion of the Chinese nation.
Main Attractions
Bayingolin General History Exhibition Hall
Located on the first floor of the museum, it is divided into several components such as Stone Age culture, Xia-Shang-Zhou Period, Qin-Han Period, Wei-Jin-Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui-Tang Dynasty, Five Dynasties-Liao-Song-Jin Period, Mongolia, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties in Bayingolin, displaying the history of Bayingolin from the Stone Age to the Qing Dynasty.
Silk Road Loulan Exhibition Hall
Located on the second floor of the museum, it is divided into five parts: the mysterious Loulan in the Pre-Qin Period, Loulan/Shanshan in Chinese official historical documents, Loulan garrison reclamation, Loulan - the first stop of the Silk Road opened by the Han Dynasty, and Dream Loulan. It truly restores the ancient Luobupo scene and life scene, making people feel like history is reappearing.
East Return Feat Exhibition Hall
Located on the third floor of the museum, it is divided into five parts: West Migration to the Volga River, Unbreakable through Thousands of Rivers and Mountains, Heroes' Blood on the East Return Road, Resettlement in Hometown and Motherland, and East Return Spirit Shining through the Ages. It has cultural relics such as the "Seal of the Banner Administrator of the East Right Banner of the Old Tuerget Tribe", showing the arduous journey and great spirit of the East Return.
Temporary Exhibition Hall
Located on the fourth and fifth floors of the museum, it is a stage for the exchange and collision between Bayingolin culture and other regional cultures, and between Chinese culture and world culture.
4D Cinema
Located on the underground first floor, it brings a unique viewing experience to the audience.
Delicacies
Stir-Fried Pork with Noodles
The Stir-Fried Pork with Noodles in Lanxiang Zhenfang Restaurant in the alley opposite Bayingolin Prefecture Museum is a signature dish. The noodles are very chewy, and the stir-fried pork is very flavorful, making people memorable.
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Also in Lanxiang Zhenfang Restaurant, the roasted lamb skewers are made of free-range black-headed sheep from Bayinbuluke Grand Prairie, which drink Tianshan snow water. The meat is delicious and roasted to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Roasted Baozi
Ailixier Roasted Baozi Shop, 200 meters to the right after going out, has authentic roasted baozi and is worth a try.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
10:00—18:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, and admission stops at 17:30. Closed on Monday (except national legal holidays) and on New Year's Eve.
Tour Route
You can start the visit from the Bayingolin General History Exhibition Hall on the first floor to understand the history of Bayingolin from the Stone Age to the Qing Dynasty; then go to the Silk Road Loulan Exhibition Hall on the second floor to explore the mysterious veil of the ancient Loulan Kingdom; then go to the East Return Feat Exhibition Hall on the third floor to feel the great spirit of the Tuerget tribe's east return; after that, you can visit according to the exhibition content of the temporary exhibition hall; if interested, you can also go to the 4D cinema on the underground first floor to watch films; finally, you can go to the observation deck on the top floor to overlook the Swan River. If you visit around 4 pm, you can also catch the free explanation (highly recommended to visit the "Silk Road Code" exhibition hall on the second floor).
Transportation
- Taking a taxi in the urban area is convenient. The starting price is about 10 yuan to reach directly, and there is a free parking lot at the entrance.
Must-See Attractions
- Silk Road Loulan Exhibition Hall: It displays many cultural relics of the ancient Loulan Kingdom, where you can see felt hats, straw baskets and other items unearthed from the Xiaohe Cemetery, as well as the real restored scene of Luobupo, which can uncover the mysterious veil of the ancient Loulan Kingdom.
- East Return Feat Exhibition Hall: Through the display of cultural relics and scenes, it vividly presents the arduous journey and great spirit of the Tuerget tribe's east return.
- Top Floor Observation Deck: You can overlook the Swan River, especially at sunset, which is extremely romantic.
Tour Tips
- You can get a free check-in handbook at the front desk, and exchange it for Xiyu-themed postcards after collecting 6 stamps.
- Wear comfortable shoes because the visiting area is large and requires walking a long distance.
- You can wear Hanfu to visit to better feel the historical atmosphere.
Notes
- Observe the order in the museum. Please do not make loud noises or chase and play.
- Please do not touch the cultural relics and exhibits.
- Visit according to the specified time and pay attention to the closing time to avoid delaying the schedule.