Yecheng in Xinjiang is rich in historical culture and natural landscapes, making it an excellent destination for self-drive and adventure tours.?
Yecheng County has a long history of about 2,181 years and is named after the Yarkand River. ‘Yarkand’ means ‘broad land’ in Turkic. It has been one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions since ancient times and is known as the ‘Hometown of Walnuts, Pomegranates, Jades, Songs, and Dances in China’.?
It also holds four Guinness World Records: the oldest ancient walnut orchard with the longest average tree age, the ‘Walnut Seven Fairies Garden’; the largest ancient walnut tree; the highest altitude highway, the ‘New Tibet Highway’ (National Highway 219, starting from Yecheng, crossing the Karakoram Mountains, with a total length of over 2,700 kilometers, and the world’s highest average altitude highway); and K2, the world’s second-highest peak with the longest hiking route.?
In Yecheng, tourists can visit the following main attractions:?
Xitiya Enchanted City (Xiye Enchanted City Scenic Area): One of the must-visit attractions in Kashgar Prefecture. It was rebuilt on the original ruins, relying on the historical background of Western Regions culture, the Thirty-Six Kingdoms, and the Anxi Protectorate, allowing visitors to experience the civilization of a thousand-year-old city.?
New Tibet Highway Zero Kilometer Starting Point Monument: A commemorative marker at the starting point of the New Tibet Highway, which holds special significance for self-drive enthusiasts.?
Walnut Seven Fairies Garden: There are seven millennial walnut trees with an average age of 1,488 years. It is a paradise for walnut lovers, where you can taste local walnut delicacies, purchase walnut wood products, and learn about walnut-related knowledge.?
In addition, Yecheng boasts natural landscapes such as the Jinhuyang National Forest Park, Karakoram Mountains, Zonglang Lingquan Scenic Area, and Polong Primitive Forest Ecological Tourism Scenic Area, as well as cultural attractions such as the Shache County Intangible Cultural Heritage Exposition Park and Shache Prefecture Scenic Area for tourists to explore and experience.?
For self-drive tour enthusiasts, Yecheng is the starting point of National Highway 219 (the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway). From here, you can travel through the Karakoram Mountains, enjoying the magnificent natural scenery and unique cultural atmosphere.?
In summary, Yecheng in Xinjiang is a tourist destination that integrates history and culture, natural landscapes, and adventure experiences. Whether it’s a self-drive tour or an in-depth exploration, it can provide tourists with an unforgettable travel experience.?