Zhaosu Wetland Park is located at the 17-kilometer mark of County Road 758 in Zhaosu County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level scenic area, the largest and highest-altitude wetland in Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, and one of the few typical plateau wetlands in China, with a total area of about 1.04 million mu. The park is rich in animal and plant resources, with 188 species of vertebrates belonging to 59 families of 27 orders, 237 species of seed plants belonging to 181 genera of 59 families, and 534 species of insects. The buildings here combine modern expressive elements to form a modern architectural style with ethnic characteristics.
Historical Culture
Zhaosu Wetland Park is the "Hometown of Tianma". There are more than 20,000 Yili horses, and the complete nomadic horse-taming skills are preserved. Two thousand years ago, when Zhang Qian opened up the Western Regions, the fine horses in the Yili River Valley carried silk and spices and galloped on the ancient road. Nowadays, the "Tianma Bathing in the River" performance has become the "golden name card" among Xinjiang's cultural and tourism performance projects. It is not only a visual feast but also an echo of history spanning thousands of years, allowing people to feel the inheritance of ancient culture. In addition, there are seven thousand-year-old stone statues on the west side of the wetland, which carry mysterious historical and cultural connotations. You can hire a tour guide to tell the relevant historical anecdotes.
Main Attractions
Jiefangqiao Wetland
The Jiefangqiao Wetland is a habitat for migratory birds at the lighthouse. With an area of more than 20,000 mu, it is an important part of the Zhaosu Wetland Park. There are 143 species of higher plants, including 1 species of second-class protected plants in China. There are 29 species of first-class and second-class protected animals in China, and 90 species of various birds, among which there are 15 species of first-class and second-class protected birds. Rare birds such as the Great Bustard, Grey Crane, Demoiselle Crane, Whooper Swan, Black Grouse, Ring-necked Pheasant, and Kite inhabit and reproduce here.
Tianma Bathing in the River
"Tianma Bathing in the River" is the core landscape and characteristic performance project of Zhaosu Wetland Park. The performance is held from May to October every year, with multiple shows every day. The usual times are 11:30, 13:00, 16:00, and 18:00 (four shows every day from June to August, and three shows every day from April 25th to May 31st and from September 1st to October 15th). During the performance, hundreds of Yili horses gallop along the Tekes River, and the horses' hooves splash water, creating a very spectacular scene.
Wetland Sightseeing Spot
Take the sightseeing vehicle and get off at the third stop. You can climb to the highest point of the scenic area to overlook the panoramic view of the Tekes River and enjoy the magnificent river scenery.
Delicacies
Horse Meat Naren
The Horse Meat Naren in Kuo'erke Restaurant is a local characteristic delicacy. The horse rib meat is stewed until tender, and the handmade noodles absorb the broth, tasting delicious. The average cost per person is about 60 yuan.
Air-Dried Meat with Dough Pieces
The Air-Dried Meat with Dough Pieces in tomato soup is sour, fragrant, and appetizing. Adding a portion of wild mushrooms makes it even more delicious, and it is one of the must-try delicacies at the night market.
Mutton Offal Soup with Naan
You can eat Mutton Offal Soup with Naan at the bazaar in Aheya Town, but it is best to go early. It is a local characteristic breakfast.
Admission Ticket
Package ticket (admission ticket + shuttle bus): 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "智游昭苏", to obtain the latest information or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
It is usually open from 09:00 to 23:00.
Itinerary for Visiting
It is recommended to enter the park at 5 pm. First, occupy the best position in the southeast corner of the viewing platform to watch the "Tianma Bathing in the River" and sheep-dragging performances. The performance venue is at the second stop of the sightseeing vehicle. Then take the sightseeing vehicle and get off at the third stop, and climb to the highest point of the scenic area to overlook the panoramic view of the Tekes River. Finally, you can go to the west side of the wetland to explore the grassland stone statues.
Transportation
- By plane + chartered car: First, fly to Yining Airport, and then take a shared car from the airport directly to the wetland park. The driving time is about 2.5 hours.
- Self-driving: Starting from Urumqi, take G30 → S237 → Yizhao Highway. The whole journey is 780 kilometers, and the Yizhao Highway is open from June to September.
- Scenic area direct bus: Take the scenic area direct bus at Yining Railway Station, which departs at 8:30 every day.
- Public transportation: Take the bus from Zhaosu to Xinyuan County and get off at the entrance of the wetland park.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tianma Bathing in the River: The spectacular performance of thousands of horses galloping is the golden name card of the "Hometown of Tianma", allowing tourists to feel a strong visual impact and spiritual shock.
- Jiefangqiao Wetland: With a superior ecological environment, it is a habitat for many rare animals and plants, and you can enjoy a rich natural ecological landscape.
- Wetland Sightseeing Spot: The highest point of the scenic area allows you to have a panoramic view of the Tekes River, and the scenery is magnificent.
Suggestions for Visiting
- Bring a telephoto lens to better photograph the scenery such as "Tianma Bathing in the River".
- Learn about the performance time in advance, plan your itinerary reasonably, and enter the park early to ensure that you can watch the performance.
- Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures in summer. The temperature difference between day and night is large, so bring warm clothes.
- If you explore the grassland stone statues, you can consider hiring a tour guide to better understand the historical culture.
Notes
- Comply with the regulations of the scenic area. Do not feed wild animals at will, and do not damage the natural environment.
- When walking in the marshland, pay attention to safety. Wear comfortable shoes to prevent falling into the marsh.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles need to be registered in the scenic area, and the no-fly zone is in the core area of the wetland.
- Respect local customs and habits.