Xinjiang’s Guozi Valley is a scenic and historic tourist attraction located in Huocheng County, Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, with a total length of about 28 kilometers.
Guozi Valley is the natural gateway to the Yili region, reaching the Sayram Lake to the north and entering the Yili River Valley to the south. It was the throat of the Northern New Silk Road connecting ancient China to Central Asia and Europe, earning it the name of the "Iron Pass". With towering peaks and winding canyons, the natural scenery here is extremely beautiful, earning it the praise of being the "First Scenery of Yili" and a "Magical仙境". Its mountains and waters are as magical as Guilin’s, and its cliff stones are even more bizarre than those of Yanyan.
Guozi Valley is not only famous for its natural scenery but also has a profound historical and cultural heritage due to Genghis Khan’s digging of mountain passages and building of bridges here during his western expedition. Today, although these bridges have been rebuilt, they remain an important section of the Urumqi-Yining Highway, and the Guozi Valley Bridge is the highest and first cable-stayed bridge on Xinjiang’s highways, becoming a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
In addition, Guozi Valley is suitable for visiting throughout the four seasons, but the best season is between spring and summer, when wildflowers are in full bloom and fruit trees are bearing fruit, making the scenery particularly enchanting. Tourists can choose to travel by car, chartered bus, or public transportation, enjoying the scenery along the way and delving into the canyon to feel the magical charm of nature. In Guozi Valley, tourists can also experience the nomadic life of the Kazakhs, taste local cuisine, and enjoy an unforgettable travel experience.
In general, Xinjiang’s Guozi Valley is a tourist attraction that integrates natural scenery, historical culture, and folk customs. It is one of the must-visit spots in Xinjiang tourism.