Kuqa Prince's Mansion is located on Linjilu Street, Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, an autonomous region-level civilized scenic tourist area, a regional-level patriotic education base, and a regional-level national unity demonstration scenic area. Covering an area of 50,000 square meters, it integrates the architectural characteristics of palaces, pavilions, and city towers in the Central Plains and Islamic styles, with unique Qiuci culture, rich royal artifacts display, and ancient city walls.
History and Culture
Kuqa Prince's Mansion was first built in 1759. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty specially dispatched Han craftsmen from the interior to build it to commend the local Uyghur leader E'Dui for his contribution to helping suppress the Daxiaohuo Zhuo rebellion. After twelve generations of Kuqa kings, from E'Dui being conferred as Beile, to his grandson Yisak capturing the rebel leader Zhangger and being promoted to Junwang, and then to the republican act of Prince Maimaitimin in the Republic of China, it has witnessed the magnificent chapter of the border region and the motherland breathing and sharing the same fate. In the early 20th century, only part of the houses and city walls of the original mansion remained, and in 2004, the Kuqa municipal government invested 13 million yuan to rebuild it on the original site.
Main Attractions
Prince's Mansion Exhibition Area
It displays meritorious tokens of golden spears and iron horses, gorgeous and exquisite royal artifacts, as well as a 200-year family history, allowing visitors to seem to be in the glorious era of the Kuqa king.
Qiuci Museum Exhibition Area
Taking Qiuci culture as the main line, it reproduces the bright pearl of the ancient Silk Road, Qiuci culture. Buddhist cave art, music and dance murals, etc., uncover the thousand-year code of Western Regions civilization.
Ancient City Wall Exhibition Area
The ancient city walls have witnessed the changes of time and bear the sense of historical weight.
Delicacies
Kuqa Naan
Golden in color, like a wheel, overflowing with crisp fragrance, it is a characteristic food of Kuqa, with a variety of flavors, such as original flavor, sesame flavor, etc.
Baked Baozi
The outer skin is crispy, and the inner filling is juicy. It usually uses mutton and other ingredients as fillings, with a fragrant smell.
Hand-Pulled Rice
It is stewed with ingredients such as rice, mutton, and carrots, with a delicious taste and rich nutrition.
Kuqa Noodle Soup
The noodles are strong, and the soup is fresh and delicious. It is usually served with some mutton slices, vegetables, etc.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket is 55 yuan per person. As of 2025-06-06, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
09:30 - 20:00 from Monday to Sunday.
Tour Route
You can first visit the Prince's Mansion Exhibition Area to understand the history and life of the Kuqa king; then go to the Qiuci Museum Exhibition Area to feel the charm of Qiuci culture; finally, visit the Ancient City Wall Exhibition Area, stroll in the garden and corridor of the mansion, and enjoy the architectural features and garden landscape.
Transportation
- By air: After arriving at Kuqa Qiuci Airport, you can take a taxi, which takes about 20 minutes and costs about 30-40 yuan; you can also take buses such as Kuqa Route 16, get off at the Power Supply Company Station, and then walk to the destination.
- By train: After arriving at Kuqa Station, take buses such as Kuqa Route 1 and Route 5, get off at Kuqa Prince's Mansion Station, with a fare of 2 yuan; taking a taxi takes about 20 minutes and costs about 25 yuan.
- By car: Navigate to "Kuqa Prince's Mansion", and there is a parking lot around the scenic area with inexpensive parking fees.
Must-visit Attractions
- Prince's Mansion Exhibition Area: The feature is to see the display of royal artifacts and family history, and understand the glorious past of the Kuqa king.
- Qiuci Museum Exhibition Area: Featured by rich Qiuci cultural collections, such as Buddhist cave art and music and dance murals, it shows the civilization of the Western Regions.
Tour Tips
- Enter the scenic area when it opens at 10:30 in the morning. At this time, there are few people and the sunlight is soft, which is suitable for taking photos.
- Reserve 2-3 hours for sightseeing to fully enjoy the scenery and experience cultural activities.
- You can watch the national song and dance performances in the mansion to feel the charm of Xinjiang's diverse cultures.
Notes
- Respect local customs and habits. Take off your shoes when entering some places, and do not touch other people's items casually.
- The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are strong. Take sun protection measures and carry sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, etc.
- If you encounter dusty weather, bring a gauze scarf or mask.
- Some experience projects in the mansion require additional fees, such as mansion home visits and taking photos with the princess. Plan ahead according to your interests and budget.