阿克苏地区

Why this place

Aksu is a large oasis in western Xinjiang, and it is famous for its apples — the 'Aksu apple' is a national name. The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves nearby are the oldest major Buddhist cave site in China, with murals from the third century onward.

What to see

• The Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves — the earliest great Buddhist cave complex in China
• The Taklamakan's northern edge and the Muzat river valley
• The Tianshan Tomur peak and the Khan Tengri mountains on the Kyrgyzstan border

What to eat

• Aksu apples, walnuts and the local 'baicheng' oil
• Uyghur pilaf and lamb, and the local melons

Best time

April–May and September–October