Kuqa

» Xin Jiang

Kuqa Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Today's Kuqa weather forcast

Kuqa is in southern Xinjiang at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains. Formerly an important town on the central Ancient Silk Road, it is now under the jurisdiction of Aksu Prefecture.

Kuqa was known as Qiuci Kingdom in ancient times. The recorded history of the Qiuci Kingdom begins about 200 BC, during the Western Han period. An oasis rich in natural resources, Qiuci became a major trade, political and cultural hub, and later, an important Buddhist center in Turkestan.

It was here that, influenced by multiple cultures, the Qiuci civilization as represented by famous Qiuci City was formed. In common with many of Xinjiang's ancient cities, Qiuci Capital Ruins was discovered after having disappeared for more than 10 centuries.

There are many cultural sights, most notably its Buddhist grottoes, such as the Kizilgaha, Kumutura, Mazabeg and Simsem grottoes. Besides, Grand Kuqa Mosque is noted its long history and within its compound is Xinjiang's sole religious court. Subash ancient ruins originated between the 1st and 3rd century AD. The site witnessed the height of Buddhist development amongst the Uighur kingdoms and reached its peak during the Sixth to the Eighth centuries.

Other sights of natural beauty include the Tianshan Grand Canyon, Mount Tomur (site of China's largest modern glacier), and the South Heavenly Pool.

Natural Scene

• Tianshan Grand Canyon

Historical Site

• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Grand Kuqa Mosque
• Subashi Ancient City

Kuqa Highlights

Silk Road city highlights

The Silk Road, or Silk Routes, refers to an extensive interconnected network of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East, South and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe.

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Dunhuang
• Jiayuguan
• Lanzhou
• Tianshui
• Zhangye
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Hotan

Twelve Muqam city highlights

Known as the 'mother of Uygur music', the Twelve Muqam has a long history. Cheerful singing and music will always bring you a good mood. So listening to some Twelve Muqam music is a must when you visit Xinjiang.

• Kashgar
• Kuqa
• Yarkent

Daolang Muqam and Maixirepu Dance

Mostly distributed in the Dolang region northwest of the Tarim Basin, Daolang Mukam is a popular kind of dancing in Xinjiang. No limits on the time, place, and number of players - Maixirepu is sure a "joyful entertainment" as what its name means.

Xinjiang Kebab attraction highlights

Xinjiang Kebab is as famous as the roast duck of Beijing. It is a popular snack nationwide -- found in the streets and bazaars throughout China, and a lot of people like it very much.

• Grand Bazaar

city highlights

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Burqin
• Yarkent
• Hotan
• Fuyun

Uygur Ethnic Group city highlights

Xinjiang province, a place of large desert, tasty fruit and friendly people, is where almost all the Uygurs are found. It occupies much of the sparsely-populated Northwest.

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Burqin
• Yarkent
• Hotan
• Fuyun

Kuqa FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What about climate in Xinjiang?
2. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  Food

1. Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?
2. Can I eat much fruit in Xinjiang?

  Shopping

1. Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  Other Hints

1. What is Xinjiang Time?
2. What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?
3. What do we prepare for the long tours?

• What about climate in Xinjiang?

  Situated deep in the interior of Asia and not penetrated by the air currents from the oceans, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has conspicuous continental climate, with highly changeable temperature, great difference in temperature between day and night, abundant sunshine, intense evaporation and little precipitation.

  The mean annual temperature of Xinjiang is 11.7 C - the hottest month, July, averaging about 25 C and the coldest month, January, -20 C in the north and -10 C in the south - and a mean annual precipitation of 150 mm.

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• What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  The months of May and October are the best time to travel Xinjiang. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.

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• Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?

  Xinjiang Cuisine can be called as one main style of cooking absolutely. Muslim food is the main stream of Xinjiang Cuisine, beef and mutton is the main meat of Xinjiang people. Xinjiang dishes with salt and spicy flavor are bold in style.

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• Can I eat much fruits in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang has the reputation of "Home of Melons and Fruits," such as grapes of Turpan, melons of Hami, apples of Aksu, bergamot pear of Korla etc., which are available in different seasons at different places. But please notice that you will get diarrhea if you drink hot tea after eating some fruits.

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• Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  No. Most attractions are far away from the cities. For the sake of the convenience, it might be good to bring some cash money along the trip.

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• What is Xinjiang Time?

  The Beijing standard time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China. The visitor must know though that in Xinjiang, locals often use the Xinjiang time, which is two hours behind the standard Beijing time. For example, 11:00 AM Beijing time equals 9:00 AM Xinjiang time.

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• What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang is a multiethnic region, of which the population of Uyghur is approximately one half of the whole. It is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natural causes. In order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any Muslim Restaurant.

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• What do we prepare for the long tours?

  All Xinjiang tours will last for several days, the attractions scatter here and there. So you will spend your much time in our air-conditioned coach. Besides, the landscape along the way is simplex. Please be prepared for your long Xinjiang tour. It is necessary for you to take a pair of comfortable shoes with you for you will walk a lot.

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