Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is located in the north of Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area is composed of reddish-brown mountain bodies, integrating grandeur, danger, seclusion, tranquility and mystery. It is more than 5 kilometers long, composed of the main valley and 7 branch valleys, presenting a typical ground fissure-style narrow valley. The average altitude of the canyon is 1,600 meters, the highest peak is 2,048 meters, the depth is 150-200 meters, the widest part of the valley bottom is 53 meters, and the narrowest part is only 0.4 to 1.2 meters.
History and Culture
Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon has a long history and profound cultural heritage. In 1999, Maotudi, a local Uyghur youth, discovered the A'ai Grottoes, kicking off the prelude to the Mysterious Grand Canyon embracing tourists. After verification, the A'ai Grottoes were built in the mid-flourishing Tang Dynasty more than 1,300 years ago in the 8th century AD. The grotto faces south, with the cave door deviating 37° east. It is 4.6 meters long from north to south, 3.5 meters wide, and has an area of 16 square meters. In the grotto, except for the slight damage of the central mural on the front wall, the "Sixteen Views" on the left and right Buddha statue murals are well preserved. The Chinese ink inscriptions and Kucha inscriptions on the murals reflect the early integration of Chinese and Kucha scripts, which is of great significance for the study of ancient cultural exchanges. From the perspective of opposing ethnic separatism and safeguarding national unity, the A'ai Grottoes are also a living textbook for patriotic education for teenagers.
Main Attractions
Divine Dog Guarding the Valley
On the inner cliff of the canyon entrance, there is a black "divine dog" lying facing the valley, which turns yellowish-brown in the two hottest months of summer. In fact, it is a wonder caused by light and shadow.
Heaven-Piercing Cave
Embedded on a hundred-meter cliff, there are caves within caves that "soar to the sky". It is said that during the Tang Dynasty, 12 Central Plains Han monks went to the Western Regions to preach and once entered this cave, from where they ascended to heaven and became immortals.
Jade Girl Spring
Located in the second widest area of the canyon, the spring eye is small. In winter, the seepage water freezes into ice, shaped like a pure white-skirted woman, hence the name.
A'ai Grottoes
Carved in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, it is the best-preserved grotto in the Kuqa area, with about 15 square meters of Buddhist murals. The figures in the murals are in the typical painting style of the Central Plains in the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Museum of Western Regions Han Cultural Images."
Delicacies
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Selected fresh local lamb, marinated specially, skewered with red willow or iron sticks, and roasted over charcoal fire. The outer skin is golden and crispy, the inside is tender and juicy, sprinkled with cumin, chili and other seasonings, the taste is very delicious.
Hand-Pulled Rice
Braised together with rice, lamb, carrots, onions and other ingredients. The rice is grainy, absorbing the aroma of lamb and carrots, with rich taste and nutritious.
Roasted Naan
A traditional Xinjiang food, made from flour, yeast, salt and other raw materials, sprinkled with sesame seeds on the surface, and baked in a naan pit. The outer skin is crispy, the inside is soft, with a strong wheat fragrance, easy to carry and store.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket is 41 yuan per person. As of June 7, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
Open from 10:00 to 19:00 throughout the year, with entry stopped at 18:30.
Tour Route
Generally, enter from the canyon entrance, walk along the path inside the canyon, and enjoy attractions such as Divine Dog Guarding the Valley, Heaven-Piercing Cave, Jade Girl Spring, and A'ai Grottoes in sequence.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Drive about 64 kilometers north along National Highway 217 from Kuqa City to reach the scenic area.
- Tourist shuttle bus: Take the tourist shuttle bus to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon in Kuqa urban area.
Must-Visit Attractions
- A'ai Grottoes: Carved in the prosperous Tang Dynasty, well-preserved, with murals in the painting style of the Central Plains in the Tang Dynasty, known as the "Museum of Western Regions Han Cultural Images," with extremely high historical and cultural value.
- Divine Dog Guarding the Valley: A unique light and shadow wonder, the black "divine dog" is lifelike, adding a mysterious color to the canyon.
- Jade Girl Spring: In winter, the ice sculpture is like a woman, with beautiful scenery, unique in the canyon.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to wear comfortable outdoor shoes because the scenic area has riverbed fine sand roads.
- Check the weather forecast in advance and avoid going on rainy days to prevent dangers.
- Since there are no stores or vending machines in the scenic area, and there are only restrooms at the main entrance, prepare snacks and drinking water in advance.
Notes
- It is not recommended to enter the scenic area when it rains. In case of heavy rain, follow the guidance of the scenic area staff.
- The roads in the scenic area are riverbed fine sand roads, so outdoor shoes are required.
- There are no stores, vending machines, or restrooms in the scenic area (except at the main entrance), so prepare supplies in advance.
- There is basically no GPS signal in the scenic area, and drone flight is risky.