Guiyuan Tianju · Tacun is located in Bozidun Kirgiz National Township, Wensu County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Relying on the unique Kirgiz culture and the natural landscape of Tuoer Peak in the Tianshan Mountains, the scenic area is built into a comprehensive tourist area integrating folk custom experience, ecological sightseeing, and leisure vacation. The scenic area covers an area of about 150 square kilometers, including diverse landforms such as grasslands, forests, and canyons. The buildings in the core area integrate the traditional yurts of the Kirgiz people with modern design, and are equipped with a folk culture exhibition area, characteristic homestay groups, etc. The total construction area is about 8,000 square meters, which can receive more than 2,000 tourists at the same time.
History and Culture
Bozidun Township, where Guiyuan Tianju · Tacun is located, is a settlement of the Kirgiz people, with a deep cultural heritage. The Kirgiz people are one of the ancient ethnic groups in Xinjiang, with a long nomadic history and unique folk customs. Their folk literature, music and dance, handicraft production, etc., have all been included in the list of intangible cultural heritage protection.
The location of the scenic area was once an important post on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. In history, merchants came and went frequently, and multiple cultures blended here. In recent years, relying on rich natural and cultural resources, the local area has combined the protection of traditional villages with tourism development, which not only retains the ethnic cultural characteristics but also promotes rural revitalization, becoming an important window for displaying the culture of border ethnic minorities.
Main Attractions
Kirgiz Folk Village
The Kirgiz Folk Village is the core attraction of the scenic area, concentrating on displaying the lifestyle and cultural traditions of the Kirgiz people. The village has a folk museum displaying more than 200 cultural relics such as national costumes, production tools, and musical instruments; there is also a traditional yurt experience area where visitors can participate in interactive activities such as yurt construction and national embroidery. The folk village regularly holds traditional sports events such as Kirgiz wedding performances and horse racing and sheep grabbing, allowing visitors to deeply feel the charm of national culture.
Tuoer Grand Canyon Viewing Platform
Located on the west side of the scenic area, the Tuoer Grand Canyon Viewing Platform is about 2,200 meters above sea level and is the best place to overlook Tuoer Peak and the grand canyon. The viewing platform is designed with a wooden plank road, with a total length of about 500 meters and 3 viewing platforms. Standing here, you can overlook the magnificent snow scenery of Tuoer Peak (altitude 7,443.8 meters), the highest peak of the Tianshan Mountains, and view the red layer landform and winding rivers in the grand canyon up close, with magnificent scenery.
Tacun Grassland
Tacun Grassland covers an area of about 30 square kilometers and is a typical alpine grassland landscape. The grassland has different scenery in four seasons: wildflowers are everywhere in spring, green grass is like a carpet in summer, golden and gorgeous in autumn, and wrapped in silver in winter. The grassland is equipped with facilities such as a horse riding field and a camping base. Visitors can ride horses on the grassland or experience outdoor camping in the starry sky camp to feel the freedom and comfort of nomadic life.
Millennium Populus Euphratica Forest
Located in the southeast of the scenic area, the Millennium Populus Euphratica Forest covers an area of about 5 square kilometers and grows more than 200 ancient Populus Euphratica trees with a tree age of more than 1,000 years. The Populus Euphratica Forest forms a unique ecological landscape with snow-capped mountains and grasslands. Every mid-to-late October, when the leaves of the Populus Euphratica turn golden, it is the best viewing period, attracting many photography enthusiasts to create.
Delicacies
Kirgiz Hand-Grabbed Meat
Kirgiz hand-grabbed meat selects locally free-range sheep, with fresh and tender meat. When making it, cut the mutton into pieces with bones, put it into clear water to cook, add salt, onions and other seasonings to maintain the original flavor. When eating, it is paired with naan and eaten with hands. It is a traditional food for the Kirgiz people to entertain guests and can be tasted in the ethnic restaurants in the scenic area.
Horse Milk Wine
Horse milk wine is a characteristic drink of the Kirgiz people, made by fermenting fresh horse milk, rich in vitamins and amino acids. The alcohol content is low (about 1-3 degrees), with a sweet and sour taste, and has the effects of appetizing and invigorating the spleen, dispelling cold and promoting blood circulation. Visitors can experience the production process of horse milk wine in the pastoral families in the scenic area, and can also buy small bottles of horse milk wine as souvenirs.
Baoersak
Baoersak is a common fried pasta of Xinjiang ethnic minorities, which is also quite popular in Tacun Scenic Area. It is made of flour, eggs, and milk, kneaded into a dough and cut into small pieces, and fried until golden and crispy. It can be eaten directly or paired with milk tea, mutton soup, etc. It is a common choice for local breakfast and is sold in many stalls in the scenic area snack street.
Aksu Apple
Aksu apple is a famous local specialty, and the orchards around Tacun are rich in rock sugar heart apples. The fruit is bright in color, the flesh is delicate, the sugar content is as high as more than 18%, and the core part is in a transparent rock sugar heart shape. Visitors can buy and taste fresh and sweet Aksu apples at the fruit stalls in the scenic area or in the nearby orchards.
Tickets
The ticket price is 45 yuan per person. Some experience projects in the scenic area (such as horse riding and camping) need to pay separately, and the specific price is subject to the on-site notice.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "天山托木尔景区塔村" in WeChat to get the latest news. As of 2025-06-10, the official WeChat public account does not provide an online ticketing function.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all year round, and the daily opening hours are 9:00-20:00 (extended to 21:00 in summer). From November to March of the following year is the winter operation period, and the opening hours of some outdoor projects may be adjusted due to weather reasons.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: After arriving at the scenic area in the morning, first visit the Kirgiz Folk Village to understand the national culture and participate in folk custom experience activities; have lunch in the ethnic restaurant to taste special foods such as hand-grabbed meat and Baoersak; go to the Tuoer Grand Canyon Viewing Platform in the afternoon to enjoy the natural scenery, and then go to Tacun Grassland for horse riding or camping; go to the Millennium Populus Euphratica Forest in the evening to shoot the beautiful sunset and end the day's journey. If time permits, you can stay in the characteristic homestays in the scenic area and continue to experience in-depth tour projects such as grassland hiking and pastoral family visits the next day.
Transportation
- Bus: There is a special bus line from Aksu urban area to Wensu County. After arriving in Wensu County, you can transfer to a rural passenger bus to Bozidun Township and then take a taxi to the scenic area. The whole journey takes about 2.5 hours.
- Taxi: Take a taxi from Aksu urban area to the scenic area, about 60 kilometers away, about 1.5 hours' drive, and the fare is about 150-200 yuan.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Guiyuan Tianju · Tacun", drive along the Tuhe Expressway, get off the expressway at the Wensu exit, and arrive at the scenic area via County Road X306. There are clear road signs along the way. The scenic area parking lot can accommodate 200 vehicles, and the parking fee is 10 yuan per day.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Kirgiz Folk Village: It centrally displays the national culture, and you can participate in interactive experiences such as embroidery and yurt construction, and watch traditional wedding performances and horse racing activities.
- Tuoer Grand Canyon Viewing Platform: At an altitude of 2,200 meters, overlook Tuoer Peak and the grand canyon, shoot the snow-capped mountains and red layer landforms, and the best viewing time is from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Tacun Grassland: 30 square kilometers of alpine grassland, where you can ride horses and camp. In summer, wildflowers are in full bloom, and in autumn, it is golden. The starry sky camp can enjoy the galaxy at night.
- Millennium Populus Euphratica Forest: 5 square kilometers of Populus Euphratica forest with more than 200 thousand-year-old trees. In mid-to-late October, the Populus Euphratica is golden, which is the best photography period.
Tour Tips
- The recommended tour time is 1-2 days to fully experience the folk culture and natural landscape. Summer (June-August) when the grassland is in bloom and autumn (September-October) when the Populus Euphratica is golden are the best tourist seasons.
- The scenic area is at a high altitude with large temperature differences between day and night. It is necessary to carry warm clothes such as jackets and scarves. In summer, the ultraviolet rays are strong, so sunscreen and hats should be prepared.
- When participating in outdoor activities such as horse riding, follow the guidance of the staff, understand the safety precautions in advance, and children need to be accompanied by adults.
- Respect the customs of local ethnic minorities. Avoid taking random photos when entering the folk village. Ask about the rules before participating in activities, and pay attention to dietary taboos when tasting ethnic foods.
- You can book characteristic homestays on the official platform of the scenic area in advance to experience the traditional accommodation of the Kirgiz people. Some homestays provide national costume rental services, which are suitable for taking photos as souvenirs.
Notes
- Fireworks are strictly prohibited in the scenic area, especially in areas such as grasslands and Populus Euphratica forests. Fire prevention regulations must be observed, and cigarette butts should not be discarded at will.
- Some sections of the Tuoer Grand Canyon Viewing Platform are wooden plank roads, which are slippery in rainy days. Pay attention to anti-skid, and it is forbidden to climb over the guardrail to avoid danger.
- When purchasing special foods such as horse milk wine, pay attention to checking the shelf life and storage method to avoid purchasing deteriorated goods. It is recommended to purchase them in the designated shops of the scenic area.
- In winter, some roads in the scenic area may be covered with snow and ice. Self-driving vehicles need to install anti-skid chains, follow the instructions of the scenic area staff, and drive according to the specified route.
- When participating in folk activities, respect the etiquette and customs of the Kirgiz people, such as taking off shoes when entering the yurt, and do not touch national cultural relics and religious items at will.
- The scenic area is equipped with a tourist center and a medical aid point. In case of physical discomfort or emergency, you can contact the staff in time for help.