The China-Russia Old Wharf Style Street is located in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, along the banks of the Irtysh River. This scenic area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, covering an area of 200,000 square meters. Relying on the water and land transportation advantages of the Irtysh River, it has a long history of commercial circulation and civil exchanges with Russia.
To enrich the tourism market and promote the integrated development of scenic spots, cities, industries, and human landscapes, Burqin County has utilized its profound historical background of China-Soviet navigation and deeply excavated the multi-ethnic customs and cultural heritage of local Russian and Kazakh communities to create this style street. The scenic area has invested nearly 350 million yuan in improving public service facilities, forming a comprehensive tourism industry zone integrating folk shopping, catering and entertainment, leisure tourism, red education, cultural exchanges, and song and dance performances.
Historical Culture
According to historical records, in the 27th year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1901), the Qing government established a wharf in Burqin, initiating regular navigation with Russian entities downstream and opening up commercial and civil exchanges, which gradually prospered the small town. At that time, four wharves were set up along both banks of the river for loading and unloading goods, with continuous ship traffic, and a riverside night market formed near the port.
After the 1930s, Burqin County was once known as "Little Shanghai". In 1952, a shipping office was established locally. In 1960, to repay debts to the former Soviet Union, the town undertook the task of transporting rare minerals from Koktokay. Despite harsh flood conditions and the three-year natural disaster, people still completed loading tasks by shouldering and carrying goods. Shipping in Burqin County ceased in 1962. Today, the China-Soviet Navigation Memorial Hall reproduces these unforgettable years through displays such as the "Wharf Story Wall," becoming an indelible red mark on the style street.
Main Attractions
China-Soviet Navigation Memorial Hall
Built in 1952 and reopened in 2012 after "restoration as original" renovations, the hall features a "Wharf Story Wall" that recounts stories from the Irtysh River bank over half a century ago, such as Crossing Three Barriers and Two Steamed Buns and a Bowl of Soup, vividly showcasing the shipping history and people's struggle journey at that time.
Riverside Night Market
This is a major feature area of the Style Street. Originally a speciality street built by the local government along the Irtysh River, it gradually developed into a block with highly exotic cultural characteristics due to tourists' preference for having barbecues and drinking beer by the river at night. It offers special delicacies such as cold-water fish, Russian granny Gina's "kvass", and yogurt, as well as various barbecues. The uniform architectural style and standardized management attract many visitors.
Russian Style Commercial Pedestrian Street
The street features buildings in the rich architectural style of 18th-century Russian palaces. It houses businesses such as a gold silk jade exhibition hall, hot pot city, and specialty catering stores. Walking through it, visitors feel as if they are on a Russian street, fully experiencing exotic charm.
China-Soviet Navigation Old Wharf
Once an important water transportation hub in Burqin, it witnessed the prosperity of China-Soviet commercial exchanges. Although it no longer serves its original transportation function, the preserved facilities and relics have become an important carrier for recalling history, with the words "China-Soviet Navigation Old Wharf" prominently displayed on a nearby stone tablet.
Old Floating Bridge Ruins
Carrying more than half a century of stories about the Irtysh River, these ruins record the historical changes of Burqin, allowing visitors to feel the traces of time and the city's development process.
Jinshan Academy
Exuding a strong cultural atmosphere, it offers a quiet reading time for visitors to be edified by knowledge and enrich their spiritual world.
Confucius Cultural Square
Elements such as New Ode to Burqin on the square demonstrate the local inheritance and promotion of traditional culture, reflecting the integration of diverse cultures.
Kanas Grand Theater
A national cultural display center integrating song and dance performances, cultural experiences, and entertainment, where visitors can enjoy wonderful cultural shows and deeply understand the local and surrounding ethnic cultures.
Tongxin Bridge
A landmark landscape of the style street, standing on the bridge offers a beautiful view of the city at sunset, with picturesque scenery.
Food
Cold-Water Fish
Burqin is located in the Irtysh River basin, rich in cold-water fish resources. Local cold-water fish are delicious and nutritious, with common varieties including pike and five-spotted fish. In places like the riverside night market, you can taste grilled cold-water fish, cold-water fish soup, and other dishes, with prices ranging from 30 to 100 yuan per catty depending on the type and size of the fish.
Russian Old Lady Gina's "Kvass"
This is a highly distinctive beverage made by Russian granny Gina through traditional fermentation processes, using bread as the raw material. It features a unique malt aroma and a slightly tipsy taste, being sweet and sour, refreshing and quenching thirst. A bottle of Kvass is priced at approximately 5 to 10 yuan.
Yogurt
Local yogurt is thick, rich, and mostly handmade, preserving the original flavor of yogurt. You can add white sugar or honey according to your taste, with affordable prices, about 5 to 8 yuan per serving.
Lamb Skewers
Made from fresh local lamb cut into uniform pieces and skewered on iron sticks, grilled over charcoal with seasonings like cumin and chili powder. The outer skin is golden and crispy, the inside is tender and juicy, with a rich aroma. A skewer of lamb usually costs 3 to 5 yuan.
Admission
The China-Russia Old Wharf Style Street is free to enter. Some venues or entertainment projects within the street may charge separately, such as certain exhibition halls, with specific fees subject to on-site announcements.
Opening Hours
The street is open 24 hours. Shops generally operate from 09:00 to 22:00, with areas like the riverside night market being more lively at night. Venues such as the China-Soviet Navigation Memorial Hall are usually open from 10:00 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays, subject to actual conditions).
Tour Route
Upon entering the scenic area, visitors can first go to the China-Soviet Navigation Memorial Hall to learn about the history of China-Soviet navigation and the red memory, taking about 1 hour. Then stroll to the Russian Style Commercial Pedestrian Street to admire the characteristic architecture and visit various shops, taking 1-2 hours. Near noon, taste special foods at the riverside night market, with about 1.5 hours for dining and rest.
In the afternoon, visit Jinshan Academy to experience the cultural atmosphere, stay for about half an hour, then visit Confucius Cultural Square for about 20 minutes. After that, go to Kanas Grand Theater—if there is a performance, you can buy tickets to watch (usually 1.5-2 hours long); if not, you can admire the building's exterior. In the evening, come to Tongxin Bridge to enjoy the city's beautiful sunset scenery and take photos for about 30 minutes. After night falls, return to the riverside night market to feel the lively night atmosphere, taste snacks, and buy souvenirs, ending the trip after 1-2 hours of play.
Transportation
- Long-distance Bus: There are buses from Urumqi Nianzigou Bus Station to Burqin, with a journey of about 8-10 hours and a fare of 150-200 yuan.
- Self-driving: Starting from Urumqi, take the Lianyungang-Horgos Expressway and Kuiquan-Altay Expressway, exit at the Burqin Fork, and turn into S319 along G217 towards Regiment 186 of Division 10/Jimunai Port to reach Burqin County. The whole journey is about 600+ kilometers, and the driving time is 7-8 hours. There are parking lots around the scenic area, and the parking fee is generally 5-10 yuan per hour.
- Airplane: First arrive at Altay Airport, then take a bus or charter a car from Altay City to Burqin. Altay to Burqin is about 100 kilometers, with a bus journey of 1.5-2 hours (fare 20-30 yuan) and a charter cost of 150-200 yuan (carpooling is more cost-effective).
Must-See Attractions
- China-Soviet Navigation Memorial Hall: Deeply understand the history of China-Soviet navigation and local red culture, with rich historical materials and stories in the hall being highly appealing.
- Riverside Night Market: Experience local food culture, feel the lively atmosphere, and taste special foods like cold-water fish, kvass, and yogurt.
- Russian Style Commercial Pedestrian Street: Admire unique Russian architectural styles, buy special souvenirs, and experience exotic customs.
Tour Tips
- When visiting in summer, take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures due to strong sunshine and many mosquitoes; in spring and autumn, the temperature difference between morning and evening is large, so bring warm clothes; in winter, pay attention to cold protection and wear thick cotton clothes, hats, and gloves.
- Reserve enough time to taste food, and besides special snacks, try local Russian restaurants to experience authentic Russian cuisine.
- Bring a camera or photography equipment, as the architecture, scenery, and cultural scenes in the scenic area are very suitable for taking photos.
- If interested in local culture, learn about China-Soviet navigation history and Russian cultural knowledge in advance to better appreciate the charm of the scenic area.
Notes
- Pay attention to food hygiene when tasting food, and choose regular stalls and shops.
- Protect the environment in the scenic area, do not litter or spit.
- When visiting memorial halls and other venues, follow the regulations, do not make loud noises, and do not touch exhibits.
- Pay attention to safety when playing by the river, especially for visitors with children, who should keep an eye on them to avoid accidents.
- When buying souvenirs, pay attention to distinguishing product quality and prices, and feel free to bargain appropriately.