Moyu Old Town Scenic Area is located in Kuona Xiehaier Community, Qinabage Sub-district Office, Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is 1 km away from Moyu County Government, 25 km from Hotan Airport, 3 km from Moyu Railway Station, and adjacent to National Highway 315, with very convenient transportation. It was rated as a national 4A-level scenic area in 2020 and an autonomous region-level tourist leisure block in 2021. The scenic area is distinctively characterized by traditional Uygur residential buildings and folk customs, being a perfect example of the combination of historical cultures along the Ancient Silk Road. The buildings here have unique and prominent styles, with crisscrossing streets and alleys, flexible and changeable layouts, and winding paths leading to secluded places. There are 59 shops in the old town. The scenic area was constructed with an investment of 35 million yuan by Beijing's aid to Xinjiang, covering an area of about 10,000 square meters.
History and Culture
Built in the Qing Dynasty, Moyu Old Town is a typical mosque-style architectural complex, preserving a large number of ancient buildings from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China period. It retains a large number of Islamic cultural relics, such as mosques and ancient tombs, which have high historical and research values. In addition, the old town also displays the local ethnic lifestyle and traditional customs, providing visitors with an opportunity to deeply understand the local culture and history. It is also the birthplace of the "Avanti Stories," with rich historical and cultural connotations.
Main Attractions
Central Block
The first-floor storefronts in the Central Block operate various representative characteristic tourist products, such as Adlais silk, Uygur small flower hats, carpets, wood carvings, jade, etc., which are dazzling. Visitors can safely purchase here and appreciate the unique local folk customs.
Bulak Night Market
Bulak Night Market is brilliantly lit, gathering various delicious foods. There is the resoundingly named and highly nutritious "Three Eggs and One Star" (roasted chicken eggs, roasted goose eggs, roasted pigeon eggs), watermelon grilled meat, red willow grilled meat, roasted squab, roasted whole lamb, special grilled fish, etc., which can touch the taste buds at a glance, as well as the so-called "longevity melons and fruits" roasted pumpkin, delicious fresh-pressed pomegranate juice, delicious yogurt rice dumplings, seasonal fruit and vegetable platters, etc., totaling 166 kinds of food. Visitors can enjoy song and dance performances, experience folk customs, and savor delicacies at the same time.
Uygur Characteristic Home Visit Points
Entering the unique Uygur characteristic home visit points, visitors can drink a cup of Uygur herbal tea made by local folks, admire the unique Uygur family courtyards, whose decoration styles are unique. Visitors can also sit cross-legged, taste a bowl of delicious homemade noodles or a plate of exquisite and delicious pilaf, and at the same time dance a "Maxrep" with the hospitable Uygur folks, drink a cup of "Museles," and enhance ethnic feelings and friendships.
Jinxi Old Town Exhibition Hall
The Jinxi Old Town Exhibition Hall has extremely complicated architectural carvings, and there are tall mulberry trees in front of the door, highlighting the characteristic of Moyu County as the hometown of mulberry paper.
Food
Three Eggs and One Star
Including roasted chicken eggs, roasted goose eggs, and roasted pigeon eggs, which are rich in nutrition and unique in taste.
Watermelon Grilled Meat
Mutton is put into a watermelon for roasting, making the mutton tender and fresh with the fragrance of watermelon.
Red Willow Grilled Meat
Mutton is skewered with red willow branches for roasting, and the meat fragrance is mixed with the aroma of red willow, having a unique flavor.
Roasted Squab and Roasted Whole Lamb
The skin is golden and crispy, the meat is tender and juicy, and the aroma is overflowing.
Special Grilled Fish
Using fresh local fish, which is roasted after special marination, with a delicious taste.
Roasted Pumpkin
Known as the "longevity melon and fruit," it is sweet and soft after roasting.
Yogurt Rice Dumplings
Rice dumplings are paired with yogurt, with a sweet and sour taste, refreshing and greasy.
Freshly Squeezed Pomegranate Juice
Made from fresh pomegranates, it has a rich taste and is rich in nutrition.
Tickets
The scenic area is free of charge.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all day.
Tour Route
Visitors can enter from the scenic area entrance, first stroll through the Central Block to feel the lively commercial atmosphere and purchase characteristic tourist products; then go to the Uygur characteristic home visit points to experience the local life style; then visit the Jinxi Old Town Exhibition Hall to understand the historical changes of the old town; and come to Bulak Night Market in the evening to enjoy food and song and dance performances.
Transportation
- Airplane: 25 km away from Hotan Airport, visitors can take a taxi from the airport to the scenic area.
- Train: 3 km away from Moyu Railway Station, visitors can take a taxi to the scenic area after getting off the train.
- Bus: Take the bus to Moyu at the "Grand Bazaar" station in Hotan, with a fare of about 3 yuan per person. After arriving in Moyu, transfer to the local bus or take a taxi to the scenic area.
- Self-driving: You can reach Moyu County via National Highway 315, and then go to the scenic area according to the navigation. The scenic area is 1 km away from National Highway 315.
Must-visit Attractions
- Central Block: Rich in characteristic products, it is a good place to feel folk customs and go shopping.
- Bulak Night Market: With many delicious foods and song and dance performances, it can comprehensively experience the lively atmosphere of the local area.
- Uygur Characteristic Home Visit Points: Deeply understand the Uygur lifestyle and cultural traditions and experience unique ethnic customs.
Tour Tips
- The recommended tour time is half a day to one day, and visitors can choose attractions to visit according to their own interests and time arrangements.
- When tasting food, choose appropriately according to personal taste to avoid waste.
- When purchasing characteristic products, you can bargain appropriately, but pay attention to respecting the local business habits.
- When participating in folk activities, respect the local customs and religious beliefs.
Notes
- Respect the local religious beliefs and customs, and do not violate taboos at will.
- Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- When communicating with local residents, try to use polite language. If there is a language barrier, you can communicate through body language or mobile phone translation software.
- The temperature is high in summer, so pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention measures; the temperature is low in winter, so pay attention to keeping warm.