Dawakun Desert Tourist Scenic Area is located in Tiemu Town, Yuepuhu County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 110 kilometers away from Kashgar City and 26 kilometers away from Yuepuhu County Seat. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is about 42,000 mu, including 1,500 mu of Dawakun Lake, 30,000 mu of Bulimankumu Desert and surrounding ecological areas, integrating desert, lake, populus euphratica forest, cultural heritage and Uyghur customs. The core area has European-style villas, Uyghur yurts, ethnic customs gardens and other buildings, supporting desert exploration, sand therapy, sand sliding and other experience projects. It is known as the "Hometown of Chinese Desert Scenery Tourism" and the "Back Garden of Kashgar". In 2025, the Weiguo Image Hall and Xinjiang Memory Hall were added, integrating Silk Road culture and patriotic education elements.
History and Culture
Dawakun Lake is named after a Uyghur legend: at the end of the 3rd century, King Tiemu led his troops to search for water but failed. His daughter, Princess Dawakun, dug a sand pit at night, and spring water gushed out to form a lake, and the princess turned into the lake. The thousand-year-old willow king by the lake (tree circumference 7 meters, crown width 1.2 mu) is said to be transformed by Banji'er, the lover of the princess, witnessing the love legend. The "Populus Euphratica King" with a tree age of 1,800 years in the scenic area (tree circumference 8 meters, requiring 5 people to embrace) confirms the tenacious spirit of "populus euphratica not falling for a thousand years". The Dastan ancient city site (area 1,000 square meters) in the depths of the desert has unearthed Han and Tang pottery pieces and ancient coins. The adjacent Ahonglukumu Mazha (14th-century missionary tomb group) tells the historical context of the Silk Road ancient road. As the intersection of the ancient Shache, Shule and Yutou countries, Yuepuhu has seen the integration of thousands of years of civilization here.
Main Attractions
Dawakun Lake
A 1,500-mu natural lake, the lake water originates from snowmelt, and abounds in cold temperate perch. There is a wonder of the "Gobi Dead Sea" in the lake, with high salt content, where people can float without sinking. It is said that bathing can cure diseases. A wharf is set up by the lake, providing projects such as yachting and fishing. In summer, intangible cultural heritage performances are held (such as "Son Doll" wrestling, Maxilap).
Millennium Populus Euphratica King
The core attraction in the primitive populus euphratica forest, with a tree age of 1,800 years, a tree circumference of 8 meters, and a 5-person embrace. The branches are powerful, symbolizing the "populus euphratica spirit". Hares and foxes inhabit the surrounding area, and desert vegetation such as tamarisk and saxaul are preserved, making it a natural ecological protection unit of the autonomous region.
Dawakun Princess Square
Covering an area of 30 mu, a 9.9-meter-high princess statue stands in the center, and the 3-meter base is engraved with legend stories. The square regularly holds ethnic singing and dancing, horse racing, sheep grabbing and other activities, which is the core area to experience Uyghur folklore.
Bulimankumu Desert
30,000 mu of flowing desert, with sand dunes undulating like waves, providing projects such as camel riding (50 yuan/person), desert adventure vehicles (80 yuan/person), and sand sliding (30 yuan/person). At sunrise and sunset, the desert light and shadow are majestic, suitable for photography.
Millennium Willow King
Located in Bayi Awati Township, 7.7 kilometers away from the scenic area, with a tree age of more than 300 years, a crown width of 1.2 mu, and a tree circumference of 7 meters, it is listed as a key cultural relic of the autonomous region. It is said to be transformed by a poet's walking stick and is regarded as the "Love Tree" by the local people. Tourists tie red ropes to pray for blessings.
Food
Nang Pit Roast Meat
Select fresh mutton, use jujube branches and populus euphratica branches as fuel, and roast at high temperature in a nang pit. The meat is tender and fragrant. The per capita consumption in the scenic area restaurant is 60-80 yuan.
Dawakun Lake Perch
Wild perch in the lake are caught and roasted on the spot, rich in unsaturated fatty acids. The recommended "Populus Euphratica Branch Roasted Perch" is 88 yuan per piece, served with local Qiamagu soup, which has both food and health effects.
Oil Tower
A traditional Uyghur flour and oil food, stacked like a tower, eaten with milk tea or yogurt. The scenic area breakfast stall is 5 yuan per piece, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Roast Whole Lamb
Need to book 2 hours in advance. Select 20 kg lambs, marinate with secret spices, and slow roast over an open fire with populus euphratica branches. 1,580 yuan per lamb, suitable for 8-10 people to share, with a free ethnic song and dance performance.
Tickets
The ticket is 50 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "达瓦昆沙漠旅游风景区" to get the latest news or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Summer (April 1 - October 31): 8:00 - 22:00, stop entering the park at 21:00; Winter (November 1 - March 31): 9:00 - 20:00, stop entering the park at 19:00. Holidays are extended by 1 hour, and some projects of Dawakun Lake are closed in winter.
Tour Routes
One-day Tour: 9:30 Princess Square (statue + song and dance) → 11:00 Dawakun Lake (yachting + fishing) → 13:30 Scenic Area Restaurant (perch + skewers) → 15:00 Bulimankumu Desert (camel riding + sand sliding) → 18:00 Millennium Populus Euphratica King → 19:30 Watch desert sunset.
Two-day Tour: Same as the first day, the next day 9:00 Millennium Willow King → 11:00 Ahonglukumu Mazha (tomb group) → 13:00 Farm Orchard (pick apricots, grapes) → 15:00 Xinjiang Memory Hall (cultural exhibition) → return.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Kashgar City, go east along Provincial Highway 310 for 68 kilometers to Tiemu Town, then turn to the scenic area road for 6 kilometers to arrive. The driving time is about 2 hours, and the scenic area parking lot is free.
- Bus: Kashgar International Self-driving and RV Camp departs at 10:00 and 16:00 daily, with a fare of 35 yuan. The last return bus is at 19:00.
- Chartered Car: The round-trip chartered car from Kashgar urban area is about 300 yuan (5-seat), suitable for 4 people to travel together, and can visit Yuepuhu County Seat along the way.
Must-visit Attractions
- Dawakun Lake: Floating experience + intangible cultural heritage performance, the best time is 16:00 - 18:00 (avoid the midday sun).
- Bulimankumu Desert: Photography at sunrise (6:30 in summer) and sunset (21:00 in summer), and the sand sliding project is suitable for parent-child activities.
- Millennium Populus Euphratica King: The morning light is the best. It is recommended to wear light-colored clothes for taking photos, and fireworks are prohibited in the forest.
- Princess Square: Fixed song and dance performances at 12:00 and 16:00. Participants in the interaction can get Uyghur small flower hats.
Tour Tips
- Wear high-top shoes to prevent sand, and prepare magic headscarves and sunglasses (strong ultraviolet rays).
- Prepare Huoxiang Zhengqi Water in summer, carry 2L of drinking water for desert hiking, and replenish water every hour.
- For experiencing sand therapy (designated area in the scenic area), consult in advance. It is not suitable for people with high blood pressure or skin diseases.
- Ethnic song and dance performances can be reserved and customized (starting from 20 people, 500 yuan per show). It is recommended to contact the scenic area 1 day in advance.
- Arrive before 9:30 on weekends and holidays to avoid queuing (peak season daily reception exceeds 5,000 people).
Notes
- Respect the customs of ethnic minorities. No photography or noise is allowed when entering Mazha.
- The desert has a large temperature difference between day and night (40°C during the day and 20°C at night in summer). Prepare a thin coat.
- It is forbidden to damage the populus euphratica forest vegetation, and violators will be fined 500-2,000 yuan (scenic area regulations).
- When riding a camel, follow the camel herder's instructions. Do not use a flash to scare animals when taking photos.
- When swimming in the lake, wear a life jacket (provided free of charge by the scenic area). Swimming alone is prohibited.