City Introduction of Xinjiang, China: Kizilsu Autonomous Prefecture

Kizilsu Autonomous Prefecture

Source: Kizilsu Autonomous Prefecture Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Kizilsu Autonomous Prefecture is located in the western part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bordering Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It covers an area of 72,500 sq km. Its population was 500,000 at the end of 2007. There are 11 ethnic groups living in Kizilsu. They include the Han, the Uygur, and the Kirgiz. Populations of the Uygur and the Kirgiz account for approximately 63.8% and 27.7% of Kizilsu's total, respectively.

Kizilsu comprises plain and mountain areas. In the plain area, there is plenty of sunshine, four distinct seasons and a large temperature difference between day and night, while in the extremely cold mountain areas, winter is very long.

Kizilsu is rich in natural resources. Theoretical hydro-energy amounts to 7.5 million kw, accounting for 22.3% of Xinjiang's total. Mineral resources such as coal, copper, lead, zinc, iron, phosphorus, lapis lazuli, limestone, gypsum, clay, zeolite, marble, salt, rock salt, and Glauber's salt are abundant.

Transportation in Kizilsu is very convenient. State Highway 314 (which runs from Urumqi to Khunjerab), Provincial Highway 212, Provincial Highway 309 and Nanjiang Railway (which runs from Tulufan to Kashi) run through Kizilsu. Kizilsu has no airport. However, the Kashi Airport, the second largest airport in Xinjiang in terms of passenger throughput, is only 30 km from Artux City, which is under the administration of Kizilsu.

Economic Features

Kizilsu realized GDP of RMB 2.4 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 13.5% year on year. The prefecture's GDP accounted for less than 1% of Xinjiang's total and ranked last out of all the prefectures and prefecture-level cities in Xinjiang.

The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 599 million in 2007, accounting for 25.3% of the prefecture's GDP. Output of grains and cotton amounted to 160,374 tons and 9,401 tons in 2007, contributing approximately 1.9% and 0.3% to Xinjiang's total, respectively.

Secondary industry (industry and construction), the smallest contributor to the prefecture's economy, realized value-added output of RMB 435 million, accounting for 18.3% of Kizilsu's total.

The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of RMB 206 million in 2007, and rose 49.3% year on year. Industrial enterprises with designated size or above generated value-added industrial output of RMB 175 million, contributing 85.0% to the industrial sector's total.

The service sector, the largest contributor to Kizilsu's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 1.3 billion, accounting for 56.4% of the prefecture's total GDP in 2007.  

In 2007, transportation, storage and postal services realized value-added output of RMB 122 million, contributing 9.1% to the service sector, while wholesale and retail trades generated value-added output of RMB 39.1 million, accounting for 2.9% of the sector's total.

During 2007, approximately 268,000 tourists visited the prefecture, up 30.1% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 53.7 million, increasing by 30.5% compared to the previous year.

In 2007, the total import and export value of Kizilsu amounted to US$315 million, representing a rise of 168.1% year on year. Export value rose 272.6% to approximately US$237 million, while import value rose 45.2% to US$78.6 million. Major export goods include textile products, hardware, chemical materials, building materials, plastic products and household appliances. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan are major export destinations.

Cultural Highlights

Since Kizilsu is located in the gateway of the ancient Silk Road. Local customs and cultures originate from both western culture and eastern culture.

Because archaeologists have found cultural relics and fossilized skulls in Kizilsu, it is believed there were human beings living in this area as early as 170,000 years ago.

The Kirgiz ethnic group has its own language and writing system. The epic of Manas is one of the three most famous epics in China, which also include the epics of Janggar and Gesar. 

Tourist Attractions

Due to its special location, Kizilsu is rich in tourist attractions, such as the Buddhist Sanxian Cave, the Ruins of the Palace of Kalahan Dynasty, Suwen Ancient Town Ruins, and the Posthouse Ruins of the Ancient Silk Road.

Among the scenery spots, Moer Buddhism Tower, located in Artux City, is the oldest Buddhism tower in Western China. It was built in Tang Dynasty and has a history of over 1,000 years.

Typical Xinjiang snacks such as Zhua Fan (Rice Eaten with Hands), Nang (traditional Xinjiang pan cakes), Roast Lamb and Baked Buns are also popular in Kizilsu.