Things to do in Bohu
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Top 10 attractions in Bohu
Bosten Lake
Bosten Lake, also known as Bohu, was historically called the Western Sea. Located in Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, it is China's largest inland freshwater lake and Xinjiang's premier lake. The surrounding area boasts stunning landscapes, including vast reed beds swaying in the wind, sunlit beaches reminiscent of coastal shores, and tranquil wetland fishing villages. Visitors can admire Xinjiang's rare wetland and seaside scenery, enjoy boat tours on the lake, and savor local delicacies in the fishing villages. It's a top destination for summer retreats, leisure, and vacation getaways in Xinjiang. Bosten Lake spans a vast area across Bohu County and Hoxud County, with several attractions developed along its shores, covering most areas accessible by the lakeside road. Most visitors explore the lake by visiting these attractions. If you prefer to enjoy the lake without entering the attractions, you can head to the lakeside villages directly east of Bohu town, though these areas offer limited entertainment and amenities, making them less recommended. The best season to visit Bosten Lake is summer, when it attracts mostly local Xinjiang residents. During this time, the lake's shimmering waters, lush wetlands, and scenic views of lotus flowers and migratory birds create a picturesque setting. Additionally,Bosten LakeIce and snow tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years, making winter a great time to enjoy ice activities and skiing. When visiting Bosten Lake, you can explore just one side or take a scenic tour around the entire lake. Currently, the entire southern shore of the lake area is planned asBosten LakeThe south shore tourist area operates on a single-ticket system, featuring the most scenic lakeside views in this region. With better facilities and services, it serves as the main destination for exploring Bosten Lake. Current attractions along the south shore from west to east include:Lotus Lake > Ahongkou > Water Pumping Station > Egret IslandIt takes about a day to visit all the attractions.LianhuahuLocated on the western side, this area doesn't feature vast lake scenery but rather 16 small lakes divided by reeds and lotus ponds. Visitors can admire numerous water lilies here, making it a prime flower photography destination every summer.LianhuahuThere is also a cruise service available for sightseeing on the large lake.AhongkouandLianhuahuThe scenery here is similar, featuring wetland landscapes with beautiful lotus flowers to admire, but you can also see the expansive lake in the distance.Egret IsletLocated on the eastern side, this lakeside desert transforms into a typical coastal beach scene due to the vast lake area, creating a uniquely striking contrast in the inland depths of Xinjiang. Visitors can enjoy swimming and water activities here during summer, experiencing the same relaxation and fun as coastal attractions. Come winter,Bosten LakeThe main location for ice and snow activities is also here. Additionally, there's another spot on the eastern side of the South Bank attraction.Haixin MountainIt is a hill extending into the lake, perfect for photography, and those interested can visit to take pictures. Besides the south shore tourist area, other lakeside attractions include the Dahekou Scenic Area on the east shore and the Jinshatan Scenic Area in Hoxud County on the north shore.Tian'ge Island (Yinsha Beach) AttractionDeng. Also known as Xihai Fishing Village, the Dahekou scenic area features lush reed marshes, charming lotus ponds, and is a prime spot for speedboating on the lake. This birdwatching paradise offers lakeside restaurants serving delicious freshwater fish and organizes barbecue activities by the shore, making it an ideal destination for a relaxing getaway.Bohu · 26.5 km from downtown
Kongque River
Kongque River originates from Bosten Lake, flows out from the western part of the lake, passes through the Iron Gate Pass canyon, travels east through Korla and Yuli County, and historically ended at Lop Nor. It is a rare river with almost no tributaries, nourishing the oasis of Korla and regarded by locals as their mother river. The origin of the river's name is quite interesting: legend has it that the famous Eastern Han general Ban Chao once watered his horses here, hence it is also known as the "Yinma River"; the name "Kongque" comes from a Uyghur transliteration, originally meaning "tanner," as it is said that tanners used to wash leather in the river in the past. The section flowing through the urban area of Korla has undergone years of renovation, and today it features open waters and tree-lined banks. Since 2000, a scenic tourist belt stretching about 10 km has been built along the river, with stone embankments connecting green spaces like Kongque Park and Lixiang Park, as well as several bridges with unique designs. Every April, the pear blossoms in Lixiang Park by the river are in full bloom, with the flowers reflecting in the clear water, living up to Korla's name as the "Pear City." Another aspect of this river's scenery awaits in winter: starting every fall and winter, flocks of swans fly to the Kongque River to overwinter. This phenomenon has continued for many years, and Korla is therefore known as the "City of Swans."Korla · 34.5 km from Bohu
The Xinjiang Museum
The Xinjiang Museum is a comprehensive autonomous region-level museum in Xinjiang, located in downtown Urumqi. The building was fully unveiled in 2022 following renovation and expansion, with an architectural floor plan shaped like the Chinese character "he" (union). The museum's collection is noted for its textiles, paper documents, painted clay sculptures, and ancient mummy specimens. Permanent exhibitions include the "Exhibition of historical relics of Xinjiang," "The dead across a millennium—exhibition of ancient mummies in Xinjiang," "Treasures of the vast sea—exhibition of exquisite ancient costumes in Xinjiang," and "Historical records of China—exhibition of unearthed documents in Xinjiang." The main exhibition halls are concentrated on the second floor, while the third floor features special exhibitions such as musical instruments of the Silk Road. The museum has two signature highlights. First is the Han dynasty brocade armguard unearthed from the Niya ruins in Hotan, inscribed with the phrase "Five stars rise in the east, benefiting China," interspersed with cloud and animal motifs. This artifact is considered one of the masterpieces of Han dynasty brocade craftsmanship and is listed among China's prohibited overseas exhibition relics. Second is the mummy display: thanks to Xinjiang's arid climate, ancient corpses have been preserved for millennia without decay. Among them, the 3,800-year-old "Beauty of Loulan" is particularly famous. The same hall also displays the "Princess of Xiaohe" and the remains of General Zhang Xiong, a high-ranking military officer from the Gaochang Kingdom. Such permanent exhibitions are quite rare in domestic museums. You can start your visit with the historical artifacts exhibition on the second floor, which traces thousands of years of Xinjiang's history in chronological order, from the pre-Qin period through the Han, Wei, Jin, Sui, and Tang dynasties, to the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The exhibition hall covering the period from the Han to the Sui and Tang dynasties features a relatively concentrated collection of treasures. In the clothing exhibition, the red wool robe with human, animal, and tree patterns from the Yingpan cemetery displays a Hellenistic artistic style. The painted wooden figurine of the Heavenly King is carved and assembled from over thirty pieces of wood, with even the teeth being removable. The Old Uyghur "Maitreya-samiti-nataka" in the literature exhibition is also worth a close look. If you are sensitive to the subject of mummies or are visiting with children, you may want to check the exhibition content in advance and plan accordingly. The museum is a modern three-story building that also incorporates Xinjiang's architectural styles such as arched windows and domes, giving it distinctive features. It houses several permanent exhibition halls. The first floor features the Xinjiang ethnic customs exhibition and the ancient historical relics exhibition of Xinjiang. The second floor is divided into left and right sections: the left side contains the historical textiles exhibition hall and the "Forever with the Motherland" themed exhibition, while the right side displays ancient mummies and a white jade exhibition hall. Additionally, the museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions and displays, which are worth visiting if available. The Xinjiang ethnic culture exhibition hall is located on the first floor, showcasing the folk customs of 12 major ethnic groups in Xinjiang, including the Uyghur, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Xibe peoples. Visitors can see displays of their musical instruments, daily necessities, yurts, and houses, as well as characteristic clothing like hats and scarves, most of which feature vibrant colors, embodying the distinctive ethnic charm of Xinjiang. A notable highlight is the Xibe people's houses. Since this ethnic group migrated from northeast China, their dwellings still feature the traditional northeastern heated brick bed (kang). Additionally, the furniture and tableware with Russian ethnic influences are also quite distinctive. The ancient historical artifacts exhibition of Xinjiang showcases a variety of unearthed relics from the Silk Road, spanning from ancient times to the present. It includes many Central Plains artifacts from the Han and Tang dynasties, which are highly characteristic of ancient Chinese culture. There are also numerous artifacts from the Western Regions, featuring murals with angelic figures and many objects unique to the Western Regions. These highlight Xinjiang's distinctive role as a bridge between East and West, making it an exhibition not to be missed. The mummy exhibition and the "Forever with the Motherland" exhibition on the second floor are the highlights of the museum. The mummy hall displays ancient corpses from thousands of years ago. Thanks to Xinjiang's arid climate, these bodies have been preserved from decay and are extremely precious. Among them, the "Loulan Beauty" mummy is one of the museum's top treasures. The "Forever with the Motherland" exhibition features precious cultural relics such as the "Five stars from the east" brocade and the seal of the Han-appointed Qiang chieftain. The "Five stars from the east" brocade is particularly valuable, and its legendary story is fascinating—definitely worth learning about.China · Urumqi
Grape Valley
As a valley under the Flaming Mountain, Huoyan Grape Valley Resort is located at the northeast of Turpan. Grape Valley is a shady and cool oasis in the scorching Flaming Mountain area. It is also known for its grapes grown in the grape valley, making it one of the most famous scenic spots in Xinjiang. Scenic spots in the resort include the Effendi Garden and the Music and Art Hall of Wang Luobin. Here, visitors can enjoy hundreds of types of grapes, appreciate Uyghur singing and dancing, and experience the Uyghur dwellings.China · Turpan
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar in Ürümqi's Tianshan District is a favorite destination for visitors of Ürümqi. “Bazaar” is the Persian word for “marketplace”. The architectural style of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar has a distinctive Islamic design, yet it combines culture, shopping and entertainment. There are many shops selling goods full of distinctive characteristics of the local ethnic population. Visitors can buy all sorts of local Xinjiang specialties such as raisins, dried apricots and essential oils. This is also a one-stop shop for all kinds of Xinjiang delicacies. You can taste nearly every kind of Xinijang fruit, rice pilaf, lamb and more.China · Urumqi
Liyushan Park
Liyu Mountain Park is the largest original ecological park in Urumqi City. The Street Garden near the east gate of Liyu Mountain Park is about 5,000 square meters. There are nearly 100 fitness facilities including chess tables, table tennis tables, and exercise machines. It is a good place for residents to relax and exercise.China · Urumqi
Museum of Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Museum of Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture houses 10,230 collection items, including 14 precious artifacts, 96 important artifacts, and 571 boutique items, with categories including wool textiles, documents, pottery, stone tools, bronze and ironware, jade, and mummies. There are 2,399 items on display, organized into five sections: the Bayingol History and Culture Exhibition, Loulan Historical Artifacts Exhibition, Donggui History and Culture Exhibition, Centennial Party History Exhibition, and temporary exhibitions. The museum covers a total building area of 18,972 square meters, with an exhibition area of 7,000 square meters, attracting a large number of visitors.Korla · 46.6 km from Bohu
Guhya Salt Lake
The Salt Lake Chemical plant in Daban city, Urumqi is where the Guhya Salt Lake is situated. The scenic spots in this place comprises of the salt sculpture art groups, baths for the soul, outdoor floats and other tourism projects. It also consists of recreational activities such as cruise ships, go-karts and grass skiing. To explore the lake, the visitors can take a small train from where they can gaze at the amazing scenes of the large salt mining boat of mining the salt. The different shapes of salt flowers can also be observed through the clear lake water.China · Urumqi
Hundred-Mile Gallery
Hundred-Mile Gallery is located in Nilka County, Ili, Xinjiang. It is a scenic stretch extending over a hundred miles along the Kashgar River valley, starting from the Qiao'erma junction on the Duku Highway in the east and extending westward along the provincial mountain road. This grassland was formerly known as Tangbula Grassland, which means "seal" in the Kazakh language. Hundreds of tributary valleys extend from both sides of the river valley into the mountains, with scenery in every valley: Schrenk's spruce forests, snow-capped mountains, meadows, and blue river channels create a picturesque scene, which is how the name "Gallery" came to be. The most comfortable way to explore the entire route is by self-drive, allowing you to stop at your leisure. The Xiaohuashan Viewing Platform is a great place to take in the panoramic view, with the Kashgar River below carving an S-shaped curve across the grassland, and the entire valley is bathed in a warm golden hue at sunrise and sunset. Fairy Lake is hidden high in a tributary valley, with water in the unique turquoise blue of glacial meltwater. It requires a hike or horseback ride along a gentle horse trail to reach. In the calm of the early morning, the lake surface reflects the perfect image of the snow-capped mountains. The primeval forest in Bulonggou hides mountain hot springs. Bee Town is a great place to stop and rest, where you can also taste local wildflower honey. In summer, wildflowers cover the meadows, and around September, the birch trees turn yellow. These are the two most vibrant times. After winter arrives, heavy snow seals the mountains, and the grassland enters a long period of silence. Most tourists enter from Yining by self-drive or car charter. At night, you can stay in a Kazakh yurt deep in the grassland, drink a bowl of milk tea, and eat a meal of hand-grabbed meat. The light pollution is low at night, and the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye.China · Nilka County
Tuyugou Grottoes
The Tuyugou Grottoes are located in Shanshan County's Tuyugou TownshipTuyugou VillageExcavated between the 5th and late 14th centuries, these ancient Buddhist cave complexes are located in the Gaochang region of Xinjiang. From 2010 to 2024, a joint archaeological team composed of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology and the Turpan Studies Institute conducted 10 excavation campaigns, uncovering 157 new caves, 3 ground-level temple sites, and precious artifacts including Buddhist manuscripts and official government documents. Tuyugou Grottoes served as an important node on the Silk Road for the eastward and westward transmission of Buddhism. Flaming MountainsThe ochre-red mountains, with melting snow streams flowing through the gravel, ancient mulberry trees sprouting new green, and apricot blossom-covered villages built along the slopes. The axe-cleaved crimson rock faces reveal sedimentary layers, while honeycomb-like caves are staggered across the vertical cliffs.China · Shanshan
Free things to do in Bohu
Bosten Lake
Bohu · 26.5 km from downtownKongque River
Korla · 34.5 km from BohuThe Xinjiang Museum
China · UrumqiGrape Valley
China · TurpanXinjiang International Grand Bazaar
China · UrumqiLiyushan Park
China · UrumqiMuseum of Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
Korla · 46.6 km from BohuGuhya Salt Lake
China · UrumqiImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeHundred-Mile Gallery
China · Nilka CountyTuyugou Grottoes
China · Shanshan
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What travelers say about Bohu
Anonymous userOctober 12, 2025
5.0
The West Sea lives up to its reputation, with an endless expanse of turquoise blue and emerald green nearby. Seagulls fly, waves crash against the riverbank, and how can you not be mesmerized by the tranquility? Let the love song of the West Sea ring out!
Bosten Lake
YoYo_9H7U5N1ASeptember 2, 2026
5.0
The Peacock River flows gently through the city of Korla, its banks lush with greenery and illuminated by dazzling lights at night. The river's gentle flow makes it perfect for an evening stroll, and while it boasts a rich natural and historical heritage, it lacks grand, breathtaking landscapes typical of urban areas.
Kongque River
M26***63September 26, 2026
5.0
The guided tour experience at the Xinjiang Museum was top-notch! ✨ The guides were professional and engaging, providing a wealth of information and vividly recounting the history of the Silk Road. They explained the museum's most prized artifacts in detail, revealing many background stories not found in books. It was far more rewarding than visiting on your own. A guided tour is a must when visiting Xinjiang!
The Xinjiang Museum
Anonymous userOctober 3, 2026
4.0
There were so many people visiting during the National Day holiday. 90% of the grapes had already been harvested; the remaining 10% were quite unique. However, the sightseeing bus service was extremely chaotic, with pedestrians everywhere and no order whatsoever.
Grape Valley
毛哥牛逼June 9, 2026
4.0
It's a great place to experience the rich ethnic culture of Xinjiang. The architecture is very unique, and the atmosphere is especially wonderful when the lights come on at night. The food, handicrafts, and song and dance performances are all quite local. If it's your first time visiting Xinjiang, it's definitely worth a visit. However, the area is quite commercialized, and many goods and restaurants are on the expensive side. I suggest you shop around and compare prices before making any purchases. It's better to treat it as a place to experience local culture and take photos.
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
PrincessttMarch 20, 2020
4.0
It is also a park in the central area of Urumqi. This park is also named after a beautiful carp fairy legend, so many college entrance examination students will come here to take a walk, and the park can be as famous as the legend.
Liyushan Park
whlyhJuly 11, 2025
5.0
[Scenery] If you come to Bayinguolengzi Island, you should visit the museum. The museum has three basic exhibition halls with more than ten kinds of precious national cultural relics, including bronzes, ceramics, textiles, mummies, gold and silver wares, jades, murals, etc., including 14 first-class cultural relics, 82 second-class cultural relics, and 558 third-class cultural relics. It is a comprehensive museum integrating historical relics and tourism.
[Fun] Experience the culture of the Western Regions of China
[Cost-effectiveness] No reservation is required, just bring your ID card
Museum of Bayinguoleng Mongol Autonomous Prefecture
M51***21October 25, 2025
5.0
The driver was very nice and professional. He also gave us explanations along the way. His driving skills were first-class and the car was clean and tidy. He was attentive to answer our questions from the moment he picked us up to the scenic spot and on the way back. We had a great time! Highly recommended
Guhya Salt Lake
无为的无心草October 18, 2025
5.0
Autumn also offers a unique experience for visitors to Meixian's Baili Gallery. While the thousand-acre lotus pond mentioned in the reference primarily showcases its summertime lotus spectacle, there are other things worth experiencing around the area in autumn:
Enjoying the Autumn Scenery
In autumn, the trees surrounding the Meixian Baili Gallery transform into a vibrant array of colors, with maple leaves turning red and ginkgo trees turning yellow. These colors complement the surrounding landscape, creating a beautiful natural canvas. Strolling or cycling along the gallery will allow you to experience the rich autumn atmosphere.
Tasting Autumn Fruits
Autumn is harvest season, and Meixian may have abundant fruits, such as kiwis, ripening. Participate in picking, savor the fresh, delicious fruits, and experience the joy of harvest.
Nearby Leisure Activities
Along the route to the Meixian Baili Gallery, you may find farmhouses and unique shops nearby. After exploring the area, you can sample local delicacies at the farmhouses and enjoy a leisurely and relaxing autumn experience.
In addition, although the lotus flowers in the thousand-acre lotus pond have passed their flowering period in autumn, the surrounding ecological landscape is still worth seeing. The wooden trails, the Wei River embankment and other scenery also have a unique charm in autumn. You can stroll along the trails, feel the autumn breeze on your face, and enjoy the scenery of the Wei River.
Hundred-Mile Gallery
Anonymous userOctober 10, 2026
4.0
How to put it? Only people who are very interested in history can understand it. Those who know nothing about this history will only see ruins. You need cultural background and historical knowledge to understand the cultural value behind it.
Tuyugou Grottoes
