Tianshan Shenmu Garden is located in Wensu County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, in the front mountain area south of Tomur Peak of the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction, an autonomous region-level forest park, and an autonomous region-level cultural relics protection unit. With a total area of about 680 mu and an altitude of 1,700 meters, the scenic area is surrounded by Gobi deserts with sparse vegetation. However, the garden features dense ancient trees and murmuring streams, with hundreds of ancient trees over a thousand years old, displaying strange shapes and high ornamental value, forming a unique landscape integrating ecology, humanities, and geology.
History and Culture
The Uyghur name for Tianshan Shenmu Garden is "Kulmesh Atam Mazha," meaning the graveyard of a scripture-transmitting saint, which has been a holy site for Islamic gatherings and pilgrimages in history. It is said that in the 11th century, Sultan Kulsh Said, an Islamic imam from Saudi Arabia, led more than 2,000 followers to preach in the Western Regions of China via India. Resisted by locals and involved in conflicts, most followers were killed when they retreated here, and Said was also buried here, forming the mazha. In addition, historical and cultural relics such as the dilapidated mosque and the century-old scripture hall in the garden are shrouded in mystery. The long-standing Liusha River and the story of Tang Monk's journey to the West in Journey to the West also add a strong mythical color to Shenmu Garden.
Main Attractions
Mandarin Duck Ancient Tree
Formed by the combined growth of two Xinjiang poplars and apricot trees with a tree age of about 1,100 years, the ancient apricot tree wraps around the middle of the Xinjiang poplar trunk, resembling an eternal couple never to be separated.
Sacred Water Flowing
There are multiple streams formed by springs in the garden. The gurgling water nourishes the ancient trees and vegetation, bringing vitality and energy to the park.
Millennium Sacred Spring
Located at the northern highland of the scenic area, surrounded by ancient trees and shrubs, it is the largest spring in the garden with stable flow and sweet water quality.
Crouching Dragon Willow
The willow has a unique shape, like a crouching dragon coiled on the ground, with winding branches, showing tenacious vitality.
Horse-head Tree
The tree resembles a horse's head, lifelike, as if telling ancient stories.
Gate to Heaven
The landscape formed by peculiar tree shapes resembles a gate, giving people a feeling of leading to a mysterious world.
Seeking Roots
Here, some ancient tree roots are exposed, with strange shapes, making people ponder the origin and inheritance of life.
Resurrecting Willow
Some willows seem to have withered, but new branches grow from the roots, forming towering trees, as if coming back to life, hence the name "Resurrecting Willow."
Antler Strange Tree
The branches are shaped like antlers with numerous forks, featuring a peculiar shape that attracts tourists' attention.
Rootless Tree
From the appearance, it is difficult to find the root, as if it grows out of thin air, which is amazing.
Cyclone Willow
Due to the long-term fixed wind direction, the willow presents a unique spiral shape like a cyclone, which is amazing.
Millennium Shenmu
Located on the middle slope of the scenic area, five huge Xinjiang poplar ancient trees fell for many years and exposed pure wood smooth trunks. The middle part of the main trunk is distributed with five peculiar interlaced and adhered branches, which is a very rare special phenomenon in the growth process of Xinjiang poplar.
Nine Dragons Churning the Sea
The branches of multiple ancient trees are interwoven, like nine dragons churning in the sea, with great momentum.
Frog and Crocodile Looking Back
The tree is shaped like a frog or crocodile looking back, vivid and full of fun.
Giant Elephant Howling to the Sky
The shape is like a giant elephant howling to the sky, showing the magical creativity of nature.
Century-old Scripture Hall
The time-honored scripture hall was once a place for Islamic preaching and gatherings, carrying rich religious and cultural connotations.
Food
Grilled Mutton Skewers
Using fresh local mutton with a mix of fat and lean meat, skewered on iron sticks, sizzling with oil when grilled over charcoal, sprinkled with cumin, chili powder, and other seasonings, full of aroma. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when bitten, about 5 yuan per skewer.
Hand-pulled Rice
Soft and sweet rice is paired with fresh mutton chunks, carrots, onions, and other ingredients, fried with sheep oil, rich in nutrition and full of aroma. The hand-pulled rice in Shenmu Garden Restaurant in the scenic area is relatively authentic, 30 yuan per portion.
Nang Pit Meat
Marinated mutton is hung into the nang pit and roasted using residual heat, with golden and crispy skin and tender and juicy meat inside. Nang pit meat in farmhouses around the scenic area is a signature dish, about 80 yuan per kilogram.
Grilled Nang
A traditional Xinjiang pasta baked in a nang pit, with a crispy outer skin and soft inside, available in various flavors, an excellent companion to other dishes.
Big Plate Chicken
Using fresh local chicken and potatoes and other ingredients, the chicken is tender, the potatoes are soft, paired with a rich sauce, spicy and delicious.
Noodles with Toppings
The noodles are chewy, paired with various vegetable and meat stir-fried toppings such as fried meat, tomato and egg, etc., nutritious and full of flavor.
Kawas
A local special beverage with a sweet and sour taste and rich wheat aroma, a good choice to pair with food.
Tickets
The ticket price is 40 yuan per person. As of June 9, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
Opening hours are 10:00 - 20:00.
Tour Route
From 10:00 to 11:30 in the morning, you can visit the Millennium Ancient Tree Wonder Area, focusing on iconic ancient trees such as Cyclone Willow and Antler Strange Tree. Walk among them, feel the uncanny workmanship of nature, take photos to leave wonderful moments, and learn about the legendary stories behind these ancient trees. You can hire a guide for explanation, and 50 yuan allows a team of 1-15 people to deeply understand the mystery of Shenmu. From 11:30 to 13:00, enjoy lunch in the rest area of the scenic area, taste Xinjiang special food such as grilled nang, hand-pulled rice, and mutton skewers, replenish energy, and enjoy the greenery around. From 13:00 to 15:00 in the afternoon, you can go to attractions such as Sacred Water Flowing and Millennium Sacred Spring to feel the clarity and magic of the spring water and enjoy the beauty of the stream flowing in the park. From 15:00 to 17:00, visit strange trees such as Resurrecting Willow and Rootless Tree, marveling at the tenacity and magic of life. From 17:00 to 20:00, stroll in the park, enjoy the overall scenery of the park, and feel the tranquility and beauty of Shenmu Garden under the sunset.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Aksu Urban Area, about 70 kilometers away from the scenic area, you can go there under the guidance of navigation software.
- Bus: You can first take a bus to Wensu County, then transfer to a bus to Sawapqi Ranch, park at Sawapqi Ranch 10 kilometers away from Shenmu Garden, and then cross the 10-kilometer Gobi desert to reach Shenmu Garden.
- Taxi: You can choose to take a taxi to the scenic area in Aksu Urban Area or Wensu County, which is convenient and fast, but the cost is relatively high.
Must-visit Attractions
- Mandarin Duck Ancient Tree: With a tree age of about 1,100 years, formed by the combined growth of Xinjiang poplar and apricot tree, shaped like lovers, highly ornamental.
- Millennium Sacred Spring: The largest spring in the scenic area, with sweet water quality, surrounded by ancient trees and shrubs, full of mysterious colors.
- Cyclone Willow: Formed into a spiral shape due to the fixed wind direction, one of the unique landscapes in the garden.
- Century-old Scripture Hall: With a long history, it is an important embodiment of Islamic culture, carrying rich religious and cultural connotations.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes for easy walking in the park.
- Take sun protection measures and carry sun hats, sunscreen, etc., as the sunlight in the scenic area is strong.
- If you are interested in history, culture, and ancient tree stories, you can hire a scenic area guide for explanation to better understand the connotation of the scenic area.
- Arrange time reasonably and set aside enough time to appreciate each attraction to avoid a superficial tour.
Notes
- Abide by the regulations and order of the scenic area, and do not arbitrarily damage the facilities and vegetation of the scenic area.
- When visiting ancient tombs and religious sites, maintain respect and silence, and do not behave inappropriately.
- Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- When playing in summer, pay attention to preventing mosquito bites and carry mosquito repellent and other anti-mosquito supplies.