Jingyuan Temple & Qapqal Xibe Culture
靖远寺·察布查尔锡伯民俗
A Tibetan Buddhist temple built after the Xibe people moved west to garrison the frontier. In Qapqal you can try archery and learn about the Xibe western migration.
In 1764, Xibe soldiers and their families migrated west from Northeast China to Ili to garrison the frontier and farm the land, forming today's Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County. Jingyuan Temple is located in Sunjaqi niru. It was built during the Daoguang era of the Qing dynasty and is a Tibetan Buddhist temple followed by the Xibe people. Its gate, Three Buddhas Hall and Main Hall are well preserved, and it is a national key cultural heritage site. Around the county town are the Xibe Ancient Town, an archery museum and archery grounds, where you can learn about the tradition of the 'Hometown of Archery'. A Western Migration Festival is held each year on the 18th day of the fourth lunar month. The county is about 20 km from Yining city center and is reached just after crossing the Ili River Bridge.
Opening hours
10:00–19:00 (confirm on site)
Nearby sights
- Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum
- Huiyuan Ancient City & Ili General's Mansion
- Lin Zexu Memorial Museum, Ili
- Ili River Bridge & Riverside
- Liuxing Street, Yining
- Baytulla Mosque
- Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area
- Shaanxi Great Mosque of Yining