Ili: Huiyuan Ancient City and Its Historical Heritage

For a stay in Ili, Huiyuan Ancient City offers a historical focus with several distinct aspects. The old and new towns, the Clock and Drum Tower, and the Yili General’s Residence provide tangible points of reference for the city’s history. There is also an exhibition house and cultural activities in Huiyuan. Depending on whether you are most interested in urban development, architecture, or tradition, you can plan your trip around different themes.

The Old and New Towns and Their Historical Context

The old town of Huiyuan Ancient City was founded in 1763; the new town was built from 1882 to 1893. More than a century separates the founding year from the start of construction of the new town, so the two areas represent different periods in the city’s history. Huiyuan is recognized as a National Historical and Cultural City of China. The Huiyuan Ancient City Scenic and Cultural Area also has an official classification: it is rated a 4A tourist attraction and is located in Hexiang Village in Huiyuan. For travelers who want to understand historical places not only through individual buildings but also through their development, comparing the old and new towns provides a clear chronological framework.

The Tower and General’s Residence: Two Architectural Highlights

A distinctive landmark in the new town is the Clock and Drum Tower. It stands at the center, with four streets leading to the four city gates. The tower is a three-story traditional wooden structure with three tiers of eaves and a hip-and-gable roof. Its three stories and three tiers of eaves give the building a clear, tiered profile, while the hip-and-gable roof defines its upper form. The Yili General’s Residence offers a different architectural highlight: it is a nationally protected cultural relic of great significance. Halls, terraces, winding paths, and covered walkways remain on its grounds; the General’s Pavilion has been restored. While the tower is characterized as a single structure by its form, the elements on the residence grounds together make up a more extensive complex.

The Exhibition House and the City’s History

The Huiyuan Ancient City Exhibition House complements the buildings with historical content. It displays historical artifacts, coins, and extensive visual materials. Its subject areas cover Huiyuan’s history as a capital, the city’s achievements, and its cultural history. Objects and coins offer a different perspective from the visual materials; together with the subject areas, they provide an organization that brings in both specific artifacts and broader historical contexts. If you are particularly interested in historical background, this combination offers a thematic counterpoint to viewing the tower and palace complex.

Cultural Activities in Huiyuan and Yangbulake

At Huiyuan’s folk visitor centers and family-run guesthouses, you can sample milk tea. They also offer traditional hat-making activities and performances of the Twelve Muqam. The activities differ: the tasting centers on a drink, hat-making on a craft activity, and the Twelve Muqam on a performance. Yangbulake Folk Village was one of the first villages in China to receive the title “Model Village for Rural Tourism.” Experiences offered to visitors there include singing and dancing performances as well as cockfighting. Different cultural forms come together here—from tasting and hands-on crafts to performances.

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