In the center of Bole, the Bortala River Tourism Area connects the northern old town with the southern new town. This urban focal point differs from the cultural offerings in the administrative area and the historic sites in the wider region.
River Landscapes in the Urban Area
The Bortala River Tourism Area is a state-rated Category 4A scenic area. It consists of three landscape belts connected by three rivers and nine bridges. The belt along the Bo River is a green riverside area for ecology and recreation and includes five functional zones. Together, the waterways, bridges, and riverside areas form a varied urban landscape.
Along the Bo River, the ecological cultural corridor has a 38-kilometer cycling path. In Bole’s administrative area, Wanmuda Begonia Garden has another cycling path, 10.8 kilometers long. The lengths offer a direct comparison of route distances; check the condition of each route before setting out.
Kaiping Lake and Ice Sports
Kaiping Lake lies in the landscape belt along the Kaiping River. The artificial lake was created in a natural depression in the terrain. A large water show in the same landscape belt adds to the nighttime tourism offerings. The Kaiping belt thus offers a different focus from the green riverside area along the Bo River: here, a designed waterscape and an evening attraction come together.
Qinghe Ice Rink lies at the western end of the Qinghe landscape belt. According to an official description dated June 2025, it had already been operating for more than 20 years at that time; new facilities for ice sports and recreation had been added in the two preceding years. Since facilities may change, check the current status before visiting. The ice rink adds a dedicated ice-sports option to the river and cycling-route offerings.
Culture in the Administrative Area
A cultural services description dated March 2026 lists regular intangible cultural heritage training sessions and performances in Bole. These include the Jangar epic, Mongolian proverbs, the Sawurden dance, Tobshuur playing, paper cutting, and hand weaving. The range brings together storytelling and performance traditions with craft techniques. The immersive music and dance theater production “梦回孛罗” was first performed as an opening ceremony in Bole.
Cultural events also include intangible cultural heritage markets and presentations, as well as folk talent competitions. Together, these events have attracted more than 5,000 spectators. The formats range from training sessions and performances to public presentations and competitions, focusing on different experiences from the urban area’s paths and landscape belts.
Lake and Ruined City
In Bole’s administrative area, Sayram Lake lies on the northern Silk Road route, and a wooden walkway runs along its shore. The lake thus connects a landscape attraction with the history of the route. Dallet Ruined City, also known as Dallet Pochengzi, offers a different historical perspective: it lies 37 kilometers southeast of Bole, on the northern edge of Pochengzi village. During the Tang dynasty, it stood on the middle section of the northern Silk Road route.
In the wider region around Bole, 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 visitor arrangements in advance. While Sayram Lake, with its lakeside setting and wooden walkway, offers a scenic focus, Dallet centers on the ruined city and its historical context.
Discover more destinations: Bayingol, Turpan, Aksu, Hetian, Karamay, Kumul, Ürümqi, Altay.
Return to the main travel overview: Xinjiang.
