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View Plans & PricingArea: 13,400 km² (prefecture-level city)
Population: Approximately 2.4 million (prefecture, 2020 census)
Aksu means "white water" in the Uyghur/Turkic languages, named after the Aksu River that flows through the oasis. Historically known as Aksu was an important garrison town on the Northern Silk Road.
7.0/10 — Residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle with modern amenities and cultural richness.
Aksu Airport (AKU) offers domestic flights to Urumqi and other cities. The city is connected by China National Highway 314 and the Southern Xinjiang Railway. Public transport relies on buses and taxis; no metro system.
Xinjiang Aksu Vocational and Technical College is the main higher-education institution serving the city.
Aksu sits at the edge of the Taklamakan Desert and is fed by rivers from the Tian Shan mountains. It is famous for its apples, especially Aksu sugar-heart apples, grown in the fertile oasis.
Key sites include the Subashi Ancient City ruins, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (nearby in Baicheng County), Tomur Peak scenic area, and the Aksu River valley.
Day 1: Visit Subashi ruins and the Aksu Museum; evening stroll along the river.
Day 2: Day trip to Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and the surrounding desert landscape.
Try hand-pulled lamb noodles (laghman), Uyghur polo (polo pilaf), grilled skewers, and Aksu apples and raisins. Local night markets offer fresh fruit and naan bread.
The Grand Bazaar and modern shopping centers around Xinhua Road sell dried fruits, nuts, carpets, and local handicrafts. Aksu is a great place to buy Xinjiang jujubes and walnuts.
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