City Introduction of Xinjiang, China: Bole

Bole

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Bole Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Bole, one of the major border land port cities in Xinjiang, is under the jurisdiction of the Boertala Mongolia Autonomous Prefecture. It is located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s northwest, on the north foot of Tianshan Mountain’s western area.

The city is located in a temperate zone with a continental climate. Its annual average temperature ranges from 3.7 to -7.4℃.

Bole is also rich in mineral resources such as limestone, granite, marble and perlite. Its limestone deposits amount to 157 million tons.

Alashankou Land Port, located in Bole, is the only national category-1 port (category-1 ports refer to ports which have been established with the State Council’s approval) with a railway, highway and crude oil pipeline transportation in China. China National Highway 312 runs through the port.

Economic Features

In 2007, Bole's GDP reached RMB 4.2 billion – a 21.6% increase from the previous year. Primary industry (agriculture), secondary industry (industry & construction) and tertiary industry (service) generate value-added industrial outputs of RMB 789 million, 523 million and 2.9 billion respectively.

Bole has established pillar industries such as building materials, and the processing of cotton, sugar, grain and crude oil, so as to take advantage of its well-developed farming, livestock and abundant natural resources.

Since Bole is an important land port city adjacent to the Republic of Kazakhstan and Russia, it has great opportunities for the development of border trade. Its main export goods include building materials, food and garments, etc. In 2007, Alashankou Land Port realized a total import and export value of US$704 million, up 31.4% over the previous year. Major export goods include cement, building materials and general merchandise, while the main import goods are crude oil, electrolytic copper, steel scrap, etc.

The city’s tourist industry realized an income of RMB 24.4 million from January to August 2007, up 12.4% from the same period the previous year.

Cultural Highlights

There are thirty minority ethinic groups living in this multicultural city. It has been an important town on the Silk Road, connecting Central Asia and Europe since 658 A.D in the Tang Dynasty. 

Tourist Attractions

Bole attracts tourists with its magnificent scenery. Famous attractions include the Sayram Lake (which has the highest altitude in Xinjiang), Haritureg National Forest Park, Mysterious Stone Valley, and National Nature Reserve of Huping Mountains, etc.

Bole offers typical Xinjiang cuisine such as hand grabbed mutton. In addition, horse intestines and bacon are also popular with the local Kazakh people.  

Major Development Zones

By the end of 2007, Bole had one state-level development zone, namely Bole Border Economic Cooperation Zone.

State-level Development Zones in Bole

Source: Bole Municipal Government