Located in Alashankou City, Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Alashankou Border Tourist Area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Built relying on the Alashankou Port, it faces the Dostyk Port of Kazakhstan across the border and is a comprehensive tourist area integrating border sightseeing, cultural experience, and commercial trade tourism. The area features core landscapes such as the National Gate, Boundary Stone, Alashankou Border Defense Company Honor Room, and Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center. The National Gate, a symbolic structure, stands 43 meters tall and 150 meters long, adopting a "gate"-shaped design symbolizing openness and exchange. The tourist area covers a total area of approximately 10 square kilometers, encompassing multiple functional zones including customs clearance experience, cultural display, and commercial shopping.
History and Culture
Alashankou has been an important passage on the ancient Silk Road and a key node in historical trade between China and Central Asia as well as Europe. Since the official opening of the Alashankou Port in 1990, it has become a significant gateway for China's westward opening and undertaken the important function of international logistics corridors such as the China-Europe Railway Express.
The Alashankou Border Defense Company Honor Room in the scenic area comprehensively displays the heroic deeds of border guards and the historical changes in the port's development. It embodies the port spirit of "loving border defense, selfless dedication, arduous entrepreneurship, and pioneering spirit," serving as an important base for patriotic education.
Main Attractions
National Gate
The National Gate is the landmark structure of the scenic area, standing 43 meters tall and 150 meters long with a modern architectural style, combining solemnity and grandeur. Customs clearance channels are set under the gate, allowing visitors to closely observe the entry and exit border inspection processes and experience the busy atmosphere of the border port. Observation platforms on both sides of the gate offer distant views of the border scenery in Kazakhstan.
Boundary Stone
The boundary stone in the scenic area is located on China's side of the China-Kazakhstan border, symbolizing national sovereignty. With a clear serial number, visitors can take photos here to feel the sanctity and solemnity of the border while learning about relevant border management knowledge.
Alashankou Border Defense Company Honor Room
The Honor Room comprehensively showcases the development history of the Alashankou Border Defense Company, daily training and life of soldiers, and outstanding achievements in border duty through pictures, physical objects, and texts. It displays various honorary medals, historical relics, and precious video materials, serving as an important venue to understand border defense culture and patriotic education.
Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center
Covering an area of approximately 20,000 square meters, the Trading Center gathers tens of thousands of products from regions such as Central Asia and Europe, spanning multiple categories including food, cosmetics, health products, and handicrafts. Visitors can experience the fun of cross-border shopping, learn about international commercial culture, and feel the trade achievements under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Food
Hand-Pulled Rice
A traditional Xinjiang dish, hand-pulled rice is made with mutton, carrots, onions, and rice through simmering. The rice is oily, fragrant, and fresh, while the mutton is tender and flavorful. Served with yogurt or pickled vegetables, it is refreshing and greasy-proof, representing one of the most iconic staple foods in the region.
Baked Buns
Stuffed with mutton cubes, sheep fat, and onions, baked buns are wrapped in unleavened dough and baked in a naan pit. The outer skin is crispy, and the filling is tender and juicy, emitting a rich aroma with each bite, making them a popular specialty among visitors.
Recommended Surrounding Cuisine
Around the scenic area, visitors can taste Kazakh-style dairy products such as horse milk wine and milk curds, as well as classic Xinjiang dishes like big plate chicken, roasted lamb skewers, and naan bread. Some restaurants also offer Central Asian specialties such as hand-pulled mutton and roasted lamb chops to cater to different taste preferences.
Admission
The scenic area is free to visit (additional fees may apply for special exhibitions or experience projects, subject to on-site announcements at the scenic area).
Opening Hours
The area is open year-round. Daily opening hours are 10:00-19:00 (summer) and 10:30-18:30 (winter). Specific hours may be adjusted for holidays or special events, so it is recommended to confirm via official channels before visiting.
Itinerary Recommendations
Recommended route: National Gate (visit, take photos, observe customs clearance processes) → Boundary Stone (border sightseeing, photo opportunities) → Alashankou Border Defense Company Honor Room (patriotic education) → Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center (cross-border shopping, learn about commercial culture). The entire tour takes approximately 3-4 hours, and the visiting order and time can be adjusted according to personal interests.
Transportation
- Aviation: Arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport first, then transfer to train or bus to Alashankou City.
- Railway: Alashankou Station has direct trains to Urumqi, Yining, and other places. After arriving by train, take a taxi or scenic area shuttle bus to the tourist area.
- Road: Self-driving visitors can take the Lianyungang-Huo'erguosi Expressway (G30) to the Alashankou exit and follow navigation to the scenic area. Alternatively, take long-distance buses from Bole City, Kuytun City, and other places to Alashankou City, then transfer to urban transportation to reach the scenic area.
Must-See Attractions
- National Gate: The core landmark of the scenic area, experiencing the solemnity and open atmosphere of the border port and observing real-time entry and exit border inspection.
- Alashankou Border Defense Company Honor Room: Deeply understanding border defense history and soldiers' spirit and receiving patriotic education.
- Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Commodity Exhibition and Trading Center: Experiencing cross-border shopping and selecting special products from Central Asia and Europe.
Travel Tips
- Wear comfortable sports shoes as there are many walking areas in the scenic area.
- Xinjiang has large day-night temperature differences; prepare sunscreen, windproof jackets, and warm clothing.
- Respect local ethnic customs and follow relevant regulations when entering religious sites.
- Bargain appropriately when shopping and pay attention to the shelf life and storage methods of food products.
- Understand the passage time of China-Europe Railway Express in advance to watch the train entry and exit scenes at the National Gate area.
Notes
- Photography is prohibited in some areas of the scenic area; follow the guidance of on-site staff.
- Do not cross the border line or touch border facilities such as boundary stones without authorization to ensure border security.
- UV radiation is strong in summer; take sun protection measures and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Carry valid identification documents as security checks and identity verification may be required to enter the scenic area.
- In case of bad weather or special events, the scenic area may be temporarily closed; check the latest announcements before traveling.