Muxutai Ecological Park is located in Tuoli Township, Urumqi County, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The park covers a total area of about 30,000 mu, with a core tourist area of 12,000 mu and an average altitude of 2,020 meters. Characterized by the forest-steppe landscape in the eastern section of the Tianshan Mountains, the scenic area features vast natural grasslands, dense spruce forests, and rolling hills. It is a natural ecological tourist area around Urumqi that integrates ecological sightseeing, leisure vacations, and folk culture experiences.
History and Culture
Muxutai got its name because alfalfa was planted here in ancient times as feed for military horses. Historically, it was an important post station on the northern route of the Silk Road. This area used to be a grazing ground for nomadic peoples, and relics such as grassland stone statues and ancient rock paintings still remain today, witnessing the inheritance of the grassland culture in the Western Regions. Urumqi County, where the scenic area is located, is a multi-ethnic inhabited area. The folk customs of ethnic minorities such as the Kazakhs and Uyghurs blend here, forming a unique grassland cultural landscape.
Main Attractions
Muxutai Grassland
Covering an area of about 8,000 mu, the grassland turns lush green in summer with wildflowers blooming everywhere. It is the core scenic area of the park. Yurts of local herders are scattered across the grassland, where visitors can experience the nomadic life of the Kazakhs, including milking and horseback riding.
Spruce Forest Scenic Area
Home to contiguous Tianshan spruce forests covering about 5,000 mu, the trees here have an average height of 25 meters and most are over a century old. The forest air is fresh and rich in negative oxygen ions, making it a natural forest oxygen bar. Wooden plank roads are built for visitors to hike through.
Viewing Platform
Located at the highest point of the scenic area at an altitude of 2,100 meters, it offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the magnificent eastern Tianshan Mountains. On clear days, you can overlook Bogda Peak, making it the best spot for photographing the snow-capped mountains and grassland scenery.
Kazakh Folk Village
It showcases the traditional culture of the Kazakhs. The village features traditional yurts and handicraft workshops. Visitors can watch ethnic song and dance performances, taste Kazakh cuisine, and participate in handicraft experiences such as embroidery and felt rolling.
Wildlife and Plant Observation Area
It is home to wild animals such as argali sheep, foxes, and hares, as well as rare plants like snow lotus and fritillary. Ecological science signs are installed here, making it an ideal place for nature education.
Cuisine
Kazakh Qurt (Dried Yogurt)
Made from fermented fresh milk, it is nutritious with a sweet and sour taste. A traditional Kazakh delicacy, each piece weighs about 50 grams and contains over 25% protein.
Roast Whole Lamb
Made from local Altay big-tailed sheep, the whole lamb is roasted to golden brown with crispy skin and tender, juicy meat inside. Usually, it needs to be reserved 3 hours in advance. Each lamb weighs about 20-25 kilograms, serving 10-15 people.
Bauyrsaq
A traditional Kazakh deep-fried pastry resembling Chinese fritters, it is crispy on the outside and soft inside. Often served with milk tea, each plate weighs about 200 grams.
Koumiss (Fermented Mare's Milk)
Fermented from mare's milk with an alcohol content of about 3-8 degrees, it has a rich milky fragrance. Moderate consumption is believed to promote blood circulation and dispel cold. Each pot contains 500 milliliters.
Surrounding Cuisine
There are local farmhouses around the scenic area offering Xinjiang specialties such as Big Plate Chicken and Hand-Grabbed Rice. Each serving of Big Plate Chicken weighs about 1.5 kilograms, including a whole chicken and potatoes; each plate of Hand-Grabbed Rice is 200 grams, served with mutton chunks.
Admission Tickets
The admission ticket is 30 yuan per person. Prices are subject to change according to the actual charges of the scenic area.
As of May 26, 2025, the official WeChat public account of the scenic area has not been found.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round from 9:00 to 19:00. The best time to visit is from May to October. Some areas may be closed in winter. Please check the announcements of the scenic area for specific details.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Upon arrival in the morning, first visit the Kazakh Folk Village to experience ethnic culture; then head to Muxutai Grassland for horseback riding or hiking; enjoy Kazakh cuisine in a yurt for lunch; in the afternoon, enter the Spruce Forest Scenic Area and hike along the plank road for 1.5 hours to the Viewing Platform to enjoy the panoramic view of the Tianshan Mountains; finally, visit the Wildlife and Plant Observation Area to learn about the local ecological environment.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Urumqi, drive south along the Lianhuo Expressway for about 50 kilometers, then turn onto the Urumqi County Highway. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours. The scenic area parking lot can accommodate 200 cars, with a parking fee of 10 yuan per time.
- Tourist Bus: There is a tourist shuttle bus next to Hongshan Stadium in Urumqi. It departs daily at 10:00, with a round-trip ticket price of 50 yuan per person and a journey time of about 2 hours.
- Chartered Vehicle: Chartering a vehicle from downtown Urumqi costs about 400-500 yuan per day, accommodating 4-5 people, which is suitable for families or groups.
Must-visit Attractions
- Muxutai Grassland: The core landscape of the scenic area, with 8,000 mu of natural grassland where you can experience nomadic life such as horseback riding and staying in yurts.
- Spruce Forest Scenic Area: 5,000 mu of primitive spruce forest with high negative oxygen ion concentration, suitable for hiking and breathing fresh air. The plank road is 3 kilometers long.
- Viewing Platform: At an altitude of 2,100 meters, it is the best spot for photographing the panoramic Tianshan Mountains. On clear days, you can clearly see Bogda Peak.
- Kazakh Folk Village: It showcases ethnic culture with song and dance performances at 12:00 and 16:00 daily, each lasting about 40 minutes.
Tour Tips
- Recommended visiting time: 1 day. The best months are from May to October, especially June to August when wildflowers bloom on the grassland.
- Dressing suggestions: Wear sunscreen clothing and hats in summer. Bring warm clothes due to large temperature differences between day and night. In winter, temperatures can drop to -15°C, so wear down jackets and non-slip shoes.
- Experience activities: Recommended activities include horseback riding (50 yuan per hour), Kazakh folk culture experiences (30 yuan per person), and booking roast whole lamb in advance.
- Items to bring: Camera, drinking water (5 yuan per bottle in the scenic area), and snacks. There are no convenience stores in the grassland area.
Precautions
- Open fires are prohibited in the scenic area. Do not have wild picnics or smoke to avoid forest fires.
- Follow the guidance of local herders when riding horses. Avoid standing behind horses to prevent being kicked.
- Respect the customs of ethnic minorities. Remove shoes before entering yurts and do not touch ethnic handicrafts without permission.
- Protect the ecological environment. Do not litter or pick wild plants, and do not feed wild animals.
- Weather in mountainous areas is changeable. Check the weather forecast in advance and evacuate to safe areas in case of heavy rain or strong winds.