Bortala: River Landscapes, Culture and History

When planning a trip to Bortala, it is worth distinguishing between the river areas around the urban center of Bole, local cultural offerings, and destinations in the wider region. This makes it easier to plan your stay around your preferred focus. The Bortala River Tourism Area is located in the center of Bole, is rated as a national 4A scenic area, and connects the northern old town with the southern new town.

Riverside Areas and Landscapes

The area includes three landscape belts connected by three rivers and nine bridges. Along the Bo River is a green riverbank area for ecology and recreation, divided into five functional zones. In the landscape belt along the Kaiping River, a large-scale water show expands the nighttime tourism offerings. Kaiping Lake is artificial and was created from a natural depression in the terrain.

Cycling can be included in your plans with two routes of different lengths. The ecological and cultural corridor along the Bo River has a 38-kilometer cycling route. The Wanmuda Begonia Ecological Garden in the Bole administrative area has a 10.8-kilometer cycling route. Check the condition of the route before setting out.

Culture and History

In the Bole administrative area, regular training sessions and performances of intangible cultural heritage are part of the cultural offerings. These include the Jangar epic, Mongolian proverbs, the Sawurden dance, playing the tobshuur, paper cutting, and hand weaving. The topics range from storytelling and proverbs to dance, instrumental music, and crafts. Markets and presentations featuring intangible cultural heritage, along with folk talent competitions, have attracted more than 5,000 spectators in total.

The immersive music-and-dance theater production “梦回孛罗” is associated with Bole; its first performance took place as an opening ceremony.

The ruins of the city of Dallet, also known as Dallet Pochengzi, are located 37 kilometers southeast of Bole, on the northern edge of Pochengzi Village. During the Tang dynasty, the city stood along the middle section of the northern Silk Road route. Schools from Bole regularly visit the ruins as part of field trips and educational visits. In the wider region, a digital VR exhibition at the ruins’ protection and administration office reconstructs the ancient city in 3D. Visitors can experience historic Bolo there with explanatory commentary. Check the exhibition’s current operating arrangements before your trip.

More Leisure and Cultural Highlights

According to a description from June 2025, the Qinghe ice rink had already been operating for more than 20 years at that time. New facilities for ice sports and recreation were added in the two preceding years; facilities may change. The night market on Beijing Road offers a different slice of everyday life, with food and snacks as well as a bookstore and a milk tea shop.

Public cultural institutions in the Bole administrative area are free to enter.

Your Hotel in Bortala

When looking for a hotel in Bortala, start with the focus of your trip: riverside areas and cultural offerings in urban Bole, or an excursion to the ruins of Dallet in the wider area. Then compare each hotel’s listed location with the places you plan to visit.

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For the higher-level travel overview: Xinjiang.