The Honghai Scenic Area is located in Anakule Township, Bachu County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 12 kilometers from Bachu County town. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The total planned area of the scenic area is 148 square kilometers, with a core area of 80 square kilometers. It is an ecological landscape area integrating lakes, rivers, grasslands, wetlands, gobi, and populus euphratica forests. The scenic loop is 38 kilometers long and consists of four core landscape areas: the Kashgar River Silk Road Ancient Road Station, the Golden Populus Euphratica Island, the Honghai Bay Water Park, and the Kashgar River Wetland. The entire scenic area uses the Silk Road ancient road as a thread, organically linking the oasis water system landscape, the gobi desert landscape, and the historical and cultural landscape, showing a unique charm.
Historical Culture
Bachu County has a long history. To its north are the southern ranges of the Tianshan Mountains, to its west is the Pamir Plateau, to its south are the Karakoram Mountains, and to its east is the Taklimakan Desert. It was an important station on the ancient Silk Road and is also a transportation hub in southern Xinjiang and the eastern gateway of the Kashgar region. The area where the Honghai Scenic Area is located, as an important carrier of Silk Road civilization, has been a place where talented people gathered and merchants traveled since ancient times, and is a key window and platform for the exchange and integration of Eastern and Western civilizations. Its special location connected Chang'an in the Central Plains to the eastern coast, Kashgar to ancient Rome in Western Europe, and Yutian to ancient India in South Asia. The camel caravans and horse caravans on the ancient Populus Euphratica road witnessed the vicissitudes of the years; the beacon towers and pavilions interpreted the legends of the Silk Road. The restoration and reconstruction of the Silk Road ancient road landscape in the scenic area is of great value for inheriting the historical context of Bachu, continuing the cultural heritage, and displaying ethnic customs.
Main Attractions
Kashgar River Silk Road Ancient Road Station
The Silk Road ancient road landscape has been restored and reconstructed here, allowing people to feel the prosperity of the Silk Road in the past and witness the vicissitudes of history. It is of great significance for understanding the history and culture of Bachu.
Golden Populus Euphratica Island
It has 3.16 million mu of original Populus euphratica forest, the largest contiguous natural Populus euphratica forest in the world. The Populus euphratica trees are breathtakingly shaped and majestic, showing perseverance and indomitable spirit, interpreting the tenacity of natural life and the grandeur of the desert landscape.
Honghai Bay Water Park
The islands in the park are adjacent to each other, with large expanses of reeds on the water surface, weeping willows hanging low, and wild flowers blooming on the banks. The flowers, plants, and trees grow naturally. Here you can enjoy the unique water culture and red culture, and also experience the excitement and joy brought by yachts. In addition, there is Yunyang Pavilion, built in October 2013 to commemorate Comrade Li Yunyang, who once served as county magistrate of Bachu County and made outstanding contributions to the local area; the Tongxin Bridge is built of wooden boards and ropes, simple and elegant; there is also the sailboat-shaped "Yunyang" sailing restaurant, offering Chinese cuisine and ethnic specialty dishes.
Kashgar River Wetland
This is the largest desert wetland landscape area in Xinjiang and a home for birds. It has national first-class protected animals such as the white stork, black stork, and relict gull, and national second-class protected animals such as the hobby, kite, and goshawk. In summer and autumn, more than 30 kinds of migratory birds such as wild ducks and seagulls gather, and tens of thousands of birds sing together. The wetland is rich in vegetation, with herds of cattle and sheep, winding boardwalks, and murmuring water, exuding a pastoral atmosphere.
Populus Euphratica Maze Garden
Walking into the Populus Euphratica Maze Garden, you can feel the primitive atmosphere, as if you can hear the integration of Populus euphratica culture on the Silk Road. The Populus euphratica here have gone through thousands of years of vicissitudes, with different shapes, and each one has witnessed the changes of the years.
Ancient Road · Bachu Fourth Beacon Tower
It is located in Weitouzhou and watches over the Populus Euphratica Exhibition Hall. It is 16 meters high. In ancient times, it was used for military warfare. Now tourists can climb here to overlook the entire scenic area. It has witnessed the prosperity of the Silk Road, the interpretation of historical stories, and the changes of military battles.
Silk Road First Nang Pit
Built in the scenic area in 2014, the main body has a diameter of 9.2 meters, a height of 10.2 meters, a circumference of 28.88 meters, and an internal volume of 113 cubic meters. Its interior uses P-type sintered porous bricks, matched with reinforced concrete belts, and the interior uses clay, mixed with cattle and sheep wool and straw. It is built according to the Uygur folk nang pit architectural structure combined with modern construction techniques. It can simultaneously roast 2 camels, 2 cows, and 10 sheep.
Li Yunyang Memorial Hall
Built in October 2013, with a building area of about 544 square meters. Through text, pictures, videos, and other forms, the hall restores the selfless and fearless heroic image of Li Yunyang. The hall is divided into eight themed sections, including Devoting Himself to the Revolution and Affection for Bachu, and also displays some relics and manuscripts. In September 2019, it was listed as a Bachu County ethnic unity patriotism education base.
Food
Nang
As a popular food of the Uygur people, it is an indispensable staple food for local residents every day. There are many varieties, commonly including oil nang,窝窝nang, sesame nang, meat nang, sliced nang, etc., with rich tastes that can satisfy different people's preferences.
Roast Mutton Skewers
They can be seen everywhere in local urban and rural areas, streets, and markets. Fresh mutton is selected, marinated in a unique way, and then roasted over charcoal fire. The finished product is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with fresh and delicious meat. Sprinkled with special seasonings, it has a unique flavor and is deeply loved by tourists.
Pilaf
It uses rice, mutton, carrots, onions, etc. as the main ingredients. First, the mutton is fried until golden brown, then side ingredients such as carrots and onions are added and stir-fried, and finally it is simmered together with rice. The prepared pilaf is shiny and fragrant. The rice absorbs the fragrance of the mutton and side ingredients, and the taste is soft and glutinous, rich in nutrition.
Samsa
The outer skin is rolled thin with unleavened dough, filled with stuffing made mainly of mutton, combined with onions, seasonings, etc., and baked in a nang pit. The baked samsa has a bright yellow skin. When bitten, the meat is tender and the pastry is fragrant and delicious. It is one of the most distinctive local foods.
Thin-Skinned Buns
Thin but chewy dough is used to wrap stuffing made from mutton, sheep fat, onions, etc., and then steamed in a steamer. Its characteristics are thin skin and glossy appearance, tender meat and rich oil, fragrant and delicious. It can usually be eaten together with nang or other staple foods.
Stuffed Lamb Lungs and Rice Sausages
Using sheep offal as raw materials, stuffed lamb lungs and rice sausages are respectively filled with seasoned batter and rice and other ingredients, and can be eaten after being cooked. Stuffed lamb lungs have a soft and tender texture, while rice sausages are glutinous and fresh. The unique flavor makes tourists who have tasted them praise them endlessly.
Tickets：
The ticket price is 40 yuan per person.
You can search for the official public account "Bachu County Honghai Scenic Area" in WeChat to obtain the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are generally 10:00 - 20:00 in summer (roughly May to October) and 10:30 - 19:00 in winter (roughly November to April of the following year). However, specific opening hours may change.
Tour Route：
Starting from the scenic area entrance, first go to the Kashgar River Silk Road Ancient Road Station to experience Silk Road culture; then take the scenic shuttle bus to Golden Populus Euphratica Island to enjoy the spectacular Populus euphratica forest; then go to Honghai Bay Water Park to experience water amusement projects and visit Yunyang Pavilion, Li Yunyang Memorial Hall, etc.; afterward go to the Kashgar River Wetland to view wetland scenery and migratory birds; finally you can visit attractions such as the Populus Euphratica Maze Garden, Ancient Road · Bachu Fourth Beacon Tower, and Silk Road First Nang Pit, and end the trip. The entire tour is recommended to be arranged for 1 day.
Transportation：
Self-driving: You can reach it through the local road network. It is 12 kilometers from Bachu County town, and the drive is relatively short. Starting from Bachu County town, drive along the signs to reach the scenic area, and the road conditions are good.
Public transportation: In Bachu County town, you can take a bus to Anakule Township and get off at a stop near the scenic area. You can also choose to take a taxi from the county town to the scenic area, and the cost is calculated according to the actual mileage. In addition, you can check the operation information of local tourist special lines, and some special lines will go directly to the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Golden Populus Euphratica Island: It has the world's largest contiguous natural Populus euphratica forest. With 3.16 million mu of original Populus euphratica, it is majestic and varied, and is the best place to experience the desert landscape and the spirit of Populus euphratica.
Honghai Bay Water Park: You can experience the unique water culture and red culture. While enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, you can also participate in exciting water amusement projects and enjoy a pleasant time.
Kashgar River Wetland: As the largest desert wetland landscape area in Xinjiang, its rich bird resources and beautiful wetland scenery make it an ideal attraction for getting close to nature and watching migratory birds.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to spend 1 day. Spring and autumn have pleasant climates and are the best seasons to visit. In spring, all things revive, and in autumn, the Populus euphratica turns golden. The scenery is very charming.
You can learn in advance about the performance and activity times in the scenic area. For example, during major festivals, the scenic area will display folk sports activities such as Buzkashi and horse racing. Arrange your itinerary reasonably so that you can participate and experience them.
When playing in Honghai Bay Water Park, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention measures. At the same time, you can bring some light change of clothes for convenience after participating in water amusement projects.
Taste local specialty food and buy local specialty handicrafts, such as handmade carpets and wicker woven products, as souvenirs. These handicrafts have strong ethnic customs and exquisite craftsmanship.
Precautions：
Respect local religious beliefs and customs. When visiting religious sites or participating in local folk activities, follow relevant regulations and etiquette.
When visiting the scenic area in summer, pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention measures, and bring sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats, etc. The sunlight in the scenic area is strong and the temperature is high.
When visiting in winter, pay attention to keeping warm and bring enough thick clothing. The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is large, and the temperature at night is low.
When playing in the scenic area, protect the environment and do not litter. Keep the scenic area clean and jointly maintain the beautiful natural landscape.
When participating in water amusement projects, follow the instructions of the staff to ensure your own safety. Wear safety equipment such as life jackets properly.