Barikun Ancient City Scenic Area is located in Balikun Town, Balikun Kazakh Autonomous County, Hami City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a total area of 4 square kilometers. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is rich in cultural heritage and natural tourism resources, with unique landscapes. Barikun Ancient City is the largest and best-preserved ancient military city in the Western Regions, one of the four major military cities in northern Xinjiang during the Qing Dynasty, and one of the four roads in Xinjiang during the Qing Dynasty. It is also the hub connecting the Central Plains to the Western Regions throughout history, and the first important town on the northern new route of the Ancient Silk Road entering Xinjiang. In addition, it is one of the "Three Major Commercial Capitals" and "Eight Famous Cities" in Xinjiang's history, the city with the most intact preservation of Han culture in Xinjiang, and played an important role in maintaining stability in Xinjiang and guarding the Western Regions, historically known as "Zhenxi Prefecture."
History and Culture
Barikun Ancient City has a long history, anciently known as Pulei, with human activities as early as the Neolithic Age six or seven thousand years ago. It was once the settlement of ancient ethnic groups such as the Sai people, Hu Jie, Wusun, Xiongnu, Gaoche, Rouran, and Turkic, and is known as the "Ancient Pasture Country."
In the Western Han Dynasty, the State of Pulei was one of the Western Regions. Zhao Chongguo, a general of the Western Han Dynasty, led 80,000 soldiers to Pulei to attack the Xiongnu. In the 14th year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, Jiang Xingben led tens of thousands of troops to station in Barikun, where they stockpiled grain, collected war horses, manufactured weapons and catapults, and quelled the rebellion of Qu Wentai, the King of Gaochang. In the 4th year of Jinglong during Wu Zetian's reign, the Dahe Tang City was built in Ganluchuan, which played an important role in maintaining the smooth flow of the Silk Road.
In the 9th year of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, General Ningyuan Yue Zhongqi was ordered to build the Green Camp Garrison City in Barikun, namely the Han City, for stationing Green Camp soldiers. In the 37th year of Qianlong, the Qing government built another Manchu City to the east of Barikun, transferring 2,000 Manchu bannermen with their families from Gansu and Anxi for long-term garrison. After the establishment of Xinjiang Province, the Manchu bannermen in the city moved to Qitai in the 14th year of Guangxu.
Main Attractions
Han City
Built in 1731, it is rectangular, 1,553.5 meters long from east to west and 788.7 meters wide from north to south, rammed with earth, and the rammed layer is about 11 cm thick. The city wall is 6.8 meters high, with parapets and battlements built on it. The four corners of the city wall are equipped with watchtowers, four gate towers, and four barbican gate towers. There are 3,600 battlements and 7 gun emplacements on the city wall. A moat is dug around the city, with 4 drawbridges. In the center of the city, there is a Drum Tower, divided into four main streets. The left and right barracks are on the South Street, and the east, west, and north streets are all civilian houses. The southeast corner has a drill ground, and the northwest corner has a gunpowder bureau.
Manchu City
Built in 1772, specifically for more than 2,000 Manchu soldiers and their families, it is 1,306 meters long from east to west and 501 meters wide from north to south, rammed with earth, and the rammed layer is about 11 cm thick. The wall is 7 meters high, 3.2 meters wide at the top, and about 5 meters wide at the bottom. The parapet is 1.5 meters high and 0.5 meters wide, with four watchtowers, 116 battlements, 12 gun emplacements, and 4 city gates: Xuanze (East Gate), Daofeng (West Gate), Guangbei (South Gate), and Weichang (North Gate). There are 3,792 barracks and houses, and the barbican has a radius of 32 meters.
Desheng Gate
It is the West Gate of the Han City, also known as Zuo Shengmen. The name "Desheng Gate" (Victory Gate) comes from the fact that the Dzungar rebels pacified by the Qing Dynasty were to the west of Barikun. Every time the expeditionary army set out from the West Gate, they would return through the West Gate after the battle. Currently, it is the best-preserved city gate. The county government restored the Desheng Gate Tower in 2003, which is antique and magnificent.
Food
Lamb Stew with Pancakes
One of the characteristic foods of Barikun, tender lamb is stewed until tender, and then thin pancakes are placed on the lamb, stewed until the pancakes are cooked and flavored, absorbing the lamb soup. The pancakes are chewy, and the lamb is fresh and fragrant.
Barikun Steamed Cake
Usually made of flour, after fermentation, kneading, shaping, and other processes, it is steamed in a steamer. The steamed cake is large in size, soft in taste, sweet in flavor, and some are sprinkled with sweet bean powder on the surface to enhance the flavor.
Noodle Soup
Using cold noodles, vermicelli, etc., as the main ingredients, paired with lamb, vegetables, etc., and then cooked with special soup. The soup is rich, the cold noodles and vermicelli are smooth and delicious, the lamb is tender, and it is a delicious and filling food.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours a day throughout the year.
Tour Route
It is recommended that visitors first visit the Han City to experience the historical charm of the ancient city and admire the architectural style of the ancient city; then go to the Manchu City to understand Manchu culture and history; then go to Desheng Gate and climb the tower to overlook the scenery of the ancient city; finally, taste the local food in the ancient city and feel the unique charm of Barikun.
Transportation
- External Transportation: You can first reach Hami City, then take a long-distance bus from Hami City to Balikun Kazakh Autonomous County, and then take a taxi or bus in the county to the scenic area.
- Internal Transportation: You can walk around the scenic area, or take local characteristic transportation such as carriages.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Han City: The largest and best-preserved ancient military city in the Western Regions, feeling the historical heritage of the ancient city.
- Desheng Gate: The best-preserved city gate, climbing the tower to overlook the scenery of the ancient city.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended that visitors wear comfortable shoes for walking around the ancient city.
- When visiting the scenic area in summer, pay attention to sun protection and bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and other items.
- When visiting the scenic area in winter, pay attention to keeping warm and bring enough clothing.
- When visiting the scenic area, follow the regulations of the scenic area and take care of cultural relics and the environment.
- When tasting local food, you can choose regular restaurants to ensure food safety.
Notes
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs.
- Do not touch or damage cultural relics and historic sites at will.
- Do not litter in the scenic area and keep the environment clean.
- Pay attention to safety, especially when visiting high places such as city walls and towers, be cautious.
- If taking photos, do not use flash to avoid damaging cultural relics.