IFreeing.

Places, connected

Cities and places across Xinjiang

From the Tian Shan to the Tarim Basin, this regional view places the magazine’s cities and selected sites in context. City markers are approximate orientation points; peaks indicate summits, not heritage boundaries or entrances.

Xinjiang · China
Ürümqi Changji Karamay Turpan Hami Ili Bortala Altay Tacheng Bayingolin Aksu Kashgar Hotan Kizilsu Ürümqi Grand Bazaar Bogda Grape Valley Yar City Tomur Kizil Caves Jiya

Simplified physical geography · orientation only

These places remain in the list without map markers because the available coordinates do not identify a reliable point.

Natural Earth
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Bortala.

Bortala's public landscape in this intake is Sayram Lake. The lake is not given a borrowed size. Its recent cultural programming is Mongol song and instrument.

Bortala

The shore of Sayram Lake: open water, a boardwalk and the snow-streaked mountains beyond.

A lake with a repertoire

Sayram Lake is Bortala's shared view. In 2026 the prefecture wove Mongol epic, instruments and a new lake piece into its holiday programme.

An epic waiting for its turn

Jangar is one of China's three great epics and has been on the national list since 2006. It is still sung at naadam and at a festival in Bayanbulak, while its UNESCO file waits on a joint nomination.

Bortala

Bortala

Sayram Lake

Bortala's high lake, and the Mongol arts the prefecture stages in its holiday season.