Daolang Painting Village Scenic Area is located in Kumkusal Township, Makit County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 7 kilometers south of the county seat. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The total planned area of the scenic area is 2 square kilometers, with a core area of more than 500 mu. This is a folk-custom characteristic scenic area built based on the local folk culture of Makit County, integrating creation, training, exhibition, sales, folk custom experience, ethnic food, appreciation of fine Daolang Muqam songs, and production of tourist souvenirs.
History and Culture
Daolang peasant painting originated in the late 19th century, developed in the mid-20th century, and flourished in the new century. It was created by Daolang people who have been engaged in farming for generations with simple painting tools during their leisure time. After years of development and evolution, its unique traditional painting art has attracted the attention of the art circle with its simple, casual, and imaginative style. As the birthplace of Daolang culture, Makit County can be called a treasure trove of Uyghur traditional culture and art. With "Daolang Maxrep" and "Daolang Muqam" being successively rated as world-class and national intangible cultural heritage protection projects, Makit has gradually become known to the outside world. Kumkusal Township, where the Daolang Painting Village Scenic Area is located, was awarded the title of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Art" twice in 1996 and 2008.
Main Attractions
Taklimakan Desert Exploration Memorial Hall
With a total area of 300 square meters, it has 11 exhibition areas of different sizes. It displays stories about the Taklimakan Desert in chronological order, including the existing Niya Ruins, Jiaohe Ancient City Ruins, Loulan Ruins in the desert, as well as explorers and scientists who have set foot in the desert at all times and in all countries.
Daolang Peasant Painting Exhibition Hall
Including peasant painting exhibition area, gourd painting handicraft exhibition area, national musical instrument exhibition area, peasant painting creation experience area, peasant painting and handicraft sales area. It centrally displays excellent works of painting art, and there are dozens of folk painting artists painting on the square outside the exhibition hall, showing the charm of Daolang peasant painting.
Daolang Song and Dance Performance Square
It is a place to enjoy Daolang Muqam performances and participate in folk games. Tourists can sing and dance in the melodious piano sound and bright hand drum sound, feeling the unique Daolang style.
Folk Handicraft Street
Bringing together various Daolang characteristic handicrafts, tourists can buy commemorative tourist souvenirs here and experience the local folk culture.
Delicacies
Nang (Uygur Bread)
A popular food of the Uygur nation, just like steamed buns in northern China, rice in southern China, and bread in the West, it is an indispensable food for Uygurs every day. Common ones include oil nang, wo wo nang, sesame nang, meat nang, slice nang, etc.
Steamed Lung and Rice Sausage
Cooked with sheep offal as raw materials, the steamed lung is soft and tender, and the steamed rice sausage is glutinous and fresh. Chinese and foreign tourists who come to Kashgar to travel all praise its unique flavor after tasting it.
La Mian (Pulled Noodles)
A flavor food loved by people of all ethnic groups.
Roasted Bun
Similar to Tianjin's Goubuli buns, with bright yellow skin, fresh and tender meat, and crispy taste, it is very popular with customers.
Thin-skinned Bun
One of the delicious foods loved by people of all ethnic groups, characterized by thin and oily skin, tender and oily meat, and fragrant and moist taste.
Roasted Mutton Skewers
Everywhere in urban and rural areas, streets and bazaars, they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with fresh and delicious meat, and unique flavor.
Tickets
The ticket price starts from 30 yuan..As of June 13, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
From May 1 to October 31: 10:00 - 19:00, stop entering at 19:00; from November 1 to April 30 of the following year: 10:30 - 19:00, stop entering at 19:00.
Tour Route
Visit the Taklimakan Desert Exploration Memorial Hall to learn about desert-related knowledge and historical sites; then go to the Daolang Peasant Painting Exhibition Hall to enjoy various painting works and handicrafts, and participate in creation experiences; then go to "Sahadi" Square to experience ethnic characteristic games; then go to "Pupuz" Stadium to watch the game; finally go to the Daolang Song and Dance Performance Square to enjoy performances and interactions, and shop for souvenirs on the Folk Handicraft Street.
Transportation
- Self-driving: You can go through Provincial Highway S16 Makai Expressway, Provincial Highway S13 Sansha Expressway and National Highway G217, 7 kilometers away from Makit County Seat, about 10 minutes' drive. You can also drive towards Makit via Makai Expressway, turn into S310 after crossing the Yarkant River Super Bridge, and then reach via Renmin Road → X560 → X498.
- Public transportation: 140 kilometers away from Kashgar Railway Station, 90 minutes' drive; 92 kilometers away from Shache Railway Station, 60 minutes' drive; 140 kilometers away from Kashgar Lenin International Airport, about 90 minutes' drive; 92 kilometers away from Shache Airport, 60 minutes' drive. The passenger bus from Makit County Seat to Kumkusal Township and the bus to N39 Desert Tourist Scenic Area stop at Daolang Painting Village Station.
Must-visit Attractions
- Taklimakan Desert Exploration Memorial Hall: Through rich display content and unique spatial layout, it makes people feel as if they are in the long history of desert exploration, and it is an excellent place to understand the Taklimakan Desert.
- Daolang Peasant Painting Exhibition Hall: It centrally displays the essence works of Daolang peasant painting, and there are artists painting on the spot, allowing tourists to feel the charm of this unique painting art at close range.
- Daolang Song and Dance Performance Square: Here you can enjoy the original Daolang Muqam performance, participate in folk games, and deeply experience the unique style of Daolang culture.
Tour Tips
- The recommended tour time is 2 - 3 hours. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit with suitable climate.
- You can participate in the peasant painting creation experience to feel the Daolang culture more deeply.
- Taste the local characteristic food and buy some handicrafts as souvenirs.
Notes
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs.
- The temperature is high in summer, so pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention measures; it is cold in winter, so pay attention to keeping warm.
- When visiting exhibition halls and other places, follow the order and do not touch the exhibits.