Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum
伊犁哈萨克自治州博物馆
A comprehensive overview of the history and culture of the Ili River Valley. Its highlights include a gold face mask inlaid with rubies, a bronze warrior figurine and steppe horse gear.
The Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum in central Yining displays archaeological finds and ethnographic objects from the Ili River Valley, spanning prehistory to modern times. Its star pieces include a gold face mask inlaid with rubies unearthed in Zhaosu, a bronze warrior figurine excavated in Xinyuan, gold and silver objects from the Wusun and Saka periods, and steppe horse gear. There are also costumes and everyday items of the Kazakh, Xibe, Uyghur and other peoples. Admission is free, but visitors must book or register with their ID card. The museum is usually closed on Mondays. It is worth visiting before heading to Zhaosu and Tekes, as it will help you better understand the stone statues and ancient tombs along the way.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00 (check official site)
Nearby sights
- Lin Zexu Memorial Museum, Ili
- Ili River Bridge & Riverside
- Liuxing Street, Yining
- Baytulla Mosque
- Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area
- Shaanxi Great Mosque of Yining
- Hanren Street Bazaar
- Jingyuan Temple & Qapqal Xibe Culture