The travel guide for Tacheng in northern Xinjiang mainly covers route planning, must-visit attractions, food recommendations, and the best travel time.
Route Planning:
The self-driving route to Tacheng generally starts from Urumqi, heading west along G30 Lianhuo Expressway or G3012 Expressway, passing through Shihezi City and Karamay City, before finally arriving in Tacheng City. The entire journey is about 680 kilometers and is expected to take around 7 to 8 hours. Along the way, you can admire the magnificent scenery of the Tianshan Mountains and the vastness of the Gobi Desert.
Must-visit Attractions:
Tacheng Red Building Museum: This is a landmark building in Tacheng, built as early as 1914, with a strong Russian style. It is the only comprehensive museum in the Tacheng area and is worth visiting.
Tal巴哈台山 (Talbahatai Mountain): Located to the north of Tacheng, it is also known as the ‘Northern Mountain’ and has the reputation of the ‘Little Tianshan’. The mountain range stretches about 300 kilometers, with the highest peak at 2,992 meters, making it a great place for hiking and camping.
Baktu Customs Port: It is the closest port to the city among many ports in Xinjiang, about 12 kilometers away from the downtown area of Tacheng, with a history of trade for more than 250 years. The scenic area includes newly upgraded national gate and port museum for tourists to visit and enjoy.
Tacheng Accordion Culture Exhibition Hall: With an exhibition area of 1,200 square meters, it is the accordion museum with the largest variety and most comprehensive collection in China. The exhibition hall houses accordions of different brands from multiple countries and is a must-visit attraction for tourists.
Food Recommendations:
The cuisine in Tacheng is mouthwatering, such as the tender meat of Tacheng Flying Geese and the delicious Marosh ice cream. In addition, there are also Xinjiang-style delicacies like hand-grabbed meat, baked naan, and cheese that should not be missed.
Best Travel Time:
The best period to admire the beauty of Tacheng is from July to September, when the grasslands are lush and wildflowers are in full bloom, making it the optimal season for tourism.
In addition, Tacheng Prefecture boasts numerous other attractions worth visiting, such as the Barluke Mountain Scenic Area and Baiyanggou Scenic Area. Tourists can plan their itinerary based on their time and interests. During the trip, they can also savor authentic Kazakh cuisine and experience the local unique ethnic culture.