Tianlai Jiayi Scenic Area is located in Jiayi Village, Yiqiaierike Town, Xinhe County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is distinctively featured as the inheritance site of the most local characteristic folk handicraft musical instrument making in Xinjiang, and its musical instrument making technique is listed in the national intangible cultural heritage list. In the scenic area, there is a 21-meter-high and 56-meter-wide statue of an old man playing musical instruments, symbolizing the great unity of 56 ethnic groups, and the camel design beside it represents the Silk Road. Inside the tourist reception center of the scenic area, there is a sand table with a scale of 1:10,000, covering all tourist resources of Xinhe County.
History and Culture
Xinhe County has a long history and a galaxy of talents, being a prosperous area of ancient Qiuci. As far back as the second year of Yuanding in the Western Han Dynasty (115 BC), after Zhang Qian's second mission to the Western Regions, ancient Qiuci had increasingly close exchanges with the inland of the motherland. After the opening of the Silk Road, the Qiuci Kingdom became a hub for economic trade and cultural exchanges between the East and the West. Multiple ethnic groups, religions, and cultures converged and integrated here, forming the unique Qiuci culture. During the Han and Tang dynasties, Xinhe had already been the political, economic, cultural, and military center of the Western Regions, enjoying the reputation of "Hometown of Qiuci, Ancient White Horse River, Protectorate of the Eastern Han Dynasty, First Town of Anxi, and Millennium Xinhe."
Jiayi Village also has a rather long history. Since ancestors dug canals to divert water and reclaim wasteland here 300 years ago, it gradually formed a village. Now there are 299 households in the whole village, and 106 households are engaged in musical instrument making. The longest time has been passed down for six or seven generations. The national musical instrument making in Jiayi Village and the national song and dance in Tashiarik Township belong to the "Qiuci Music and Dance" cultural system, being a highlight of the national folk art in Xinhe County.
Main Attractions
Handicraft Musical Instrument Industrial Park
This is the core area of the scenic area, intensively displaying the production techniques and processes of various national musical instruments. Visitors can watch the craftsmen's production procedures such as material selection, chiseling, carving, and engraving at close range, and understand the manufacturing mysteries of musical instruments like the dutar, tanbur, and rawap.
Lexiang Jiayi Farmhouse
It provides catering and leisure services with local characteristics. Visitors can taste delicious food here and enjoy the local national song and dance performances at the same time, feeling the rich folk customs.
Jiayi Courtyard
It retains the style of traditional Uyghur dwellings, where visitors can experience the local lifestyle and feel the charm of traditional culture.
Folk Custom Check-in Points
Distributed throughout the scenic area, they have unique folk cultural elements such as traditional architectural styles and decorative patterns, providing good places for visitors to take photos and keep memories, and allowing visitors to deeply understand the local folk culture.
Food
Xinhe Braised Pigeon
Using fresh pigeons, cooked with a variety of seasonings and secret braising soup, the meat is tender and has an excellent taste. It was selected into the national list of famous, special, excellent and new agricultural products in 2022.
Xinhe Beef
The beef has fine texture, rich elasticity, moderate fat, and is tender and delicious. It is marinated with white wine, Chinese prickly ash, beer, salt, ginger, pepper, etc. before cooking, making it more delicious after being out of the pot.
Guo Brand Watermelon
The watermelon pulp is delicate, with a smooth and dense taste, sweet and juicy, crisp and refreshing.
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Using fresh lamb, after roasting, it is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a pungent aroma.
Hand-Pulled Rice
Made from ingredients such as rice, lamb, and carrots, the rice is grainy, the lamb is tender, and the taste is rich.
Tickets
The ticket price is 35 yuan per person. As of June 8, 2025, the official WeChat public account has not been found.
Opening Hours
10:00 - 19:00 every day
Tour Route
In the morning, you can first visit the Handicraft Musical Instrument Industrial Park to understand the musical instrument making process; then go to the Jiayi Courtyard to experience the local residential life. At noon, dine at Lexiang Jiayi Farmhouse, taste special food, and enjoy national song and dance. In the afternoon, go to the folk custom check-in points to take photos and keep memories, feeling the folk culture.
Transportation
- The scenic area is located in Jiayi Village, Yiqiaierike Town, Xinhe County, 2.5 kilometers north of the county seat, adjacent to Xinhe County Railway Station, with very convenient transportation.
- It is 20 kilometers away from Kuqa Airport. After arriving at Kuqa Airport by plane, you can transfer to local transportation to the scenic area.
- National Highway 314 and the South Xinjiang Railway run through the whole territory of Xinhe County. You can reach Xinhe County by highway or railway and then go to the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Handicraft Musical Instrument Industrial Park: You can personally feel the charm of the national intangible cultural heritage - the craftsmanship of national handicraft musical instrument making, appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of craftsmen, and also buy exquisite musical instruments as souvenirs.
- Lexiang Jiayi Farmhouse: You can not only taste authentic Xinjiang food but also enjoy cheerful national dances and beautiful music, enjoying a comprehensive folk cultural experience.
Tour Tips
- You can choose to go during local traditional festivals, such as the Meat Festival and the Corban Festival, to experience the local folk culture more deeply.
- If you are interested in musical instrument making, you can make an appointment in advance to participate in some hand-making experience courses and make your own small musical instrument.
- Prepare a camera. The folk buildings, handicrafts, and song and dance performances in the scenic area are all good shooting materials, which can leave good memories.
Notes
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs to avoid conflicts due to cultural differences.
- When visiting the Handicraft Musical Instrument Industrial Park, do not touch the production tools and unfinished musical instruments at will to avoid affecting the work of craftsmen and damaging items.
- Take good care of the environment of the scenic area, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean and tidy.