Tianshan Sacred Tree Garden
天山神木园
An ancient grove of trees thousands of years old, sustained by spring water deep in the Gobi Desert. Poplar, elm and Euphrates poplar trees grow with twisted roots and striking shapes.
The Sacred Tree Garden lies in the Gobi on the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, about 70 km northwest of Wensu County. A grove of several hundred mu of ancient trees grows in the desert, nourished by springs welling up from underground. Most of the trees are hundreds to more than a thousand years old. Their trunks are twisted and lying on the ground, and new branches sprout from them, forming sights known as the “Reclining Dragon” and the “Sacred Tree.” The grove also contains a mosque and a spring, and it is regarded as a holy site by the local Uyghur people. It is a 4A-rated scenic area, and admission costs about 40 yuan (subject to the price on site). The garden paths are gentle, and a visit takes about 2 hours. You can plan it as a separate day from the Tomur Grand Canyon, or combine it with Ta Village on the same day. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from Aksu, so you need to drive yourself or hire a car.
Opening hours
About 10:00–19:30 (Beijing time)
Nearby sights
- Kekeya Memorial Hall
- Hongqipo Apple Orchards
- Aksu National Wetland Park
- Duolang River Scenic Belt
- Tagelake Village (Ta Village)
- Aksu Prefecture Museum
- Tianshan Tomur Grand Canyon
- Bozidun Scenic Area