Bordering Kazakhstan, Tacheng City sits on China's northwestern frontier and has long served as a vital gateway along the ancient Silk Road. Throughout history, it has been a place where people from diverse ethnic backgrounds have converged and their cultures have fused. Its mixture of Central Asian, European and other cultures makes it a fascinating and exciting city to explore.

Below are some attractions of the city:

Shuangta Park

Shuangta means "double towers," and the park takes its name from the two minarets within it, from which a muezzin calls the local Islamic faithful to prayer. The park is a must-visit destination for experiencing Tacheng's multicultural heritage.

The minaret of Saitikamale Mosque, located at the southeast corner of the park, was built in 1885. Featuring an octagonal tower with deep blue glazed tiles and a metal crescent on top, it is a typical example of the elegance of Arabic architecture. The minaret of the Hanaka Mosque, standing on the southwest side, was built in 1910. It has a sharply pointed top and intricate carvings, cleverly incorporating elements of medieval European Gothic church architecture.

Though stylistically different, the two minarets coexist harmoniously. Standing beneath them, one can almost hear the calls to prayer echoing across centuries. The park is free to enter and within walking distance of the city's main roads.

Baktu Port

Just 12 kilometers from Tacheng's city center, about a 20-minute drive, the Baktu Port was a key hub along the ancient Silk Road and carries a centuries-long legacy of trade and cultural exchange. Today, it continues to serve as a gateway for China's westward opening up and the development of the Silk Road Economic Belt.

Without cumbersome border formalities, visitors can shop for specialties from multiple countries in one big marketplace—the Silk Road Cultural Commodity City—within the China-Kazakhstan Border Trade Zone. Honey and chocolate from Kazakhstan, dried fruits and handwoven carpets from Kyrgyzstan, exquisite copperware from Uzbekistan, and local smoked horse sausages are among the products on sale.

At the port, visitors can view border markers and gates up close, experience the lively atmosphere of frontier life, and immerse themselves in the rich fusion of commerce and culture that spans China, Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Pastries of the Tatars

Tacheng City is one of the main settlements of the Tatars, one of the smallest ethnic minority groups in China.

The process of making traditional Tatar pastries was included on China's national-level list of intangible cultural heritage in 2021. The pastries come in a wide range of varieties and are known for their distinctive shapes. Among them are bahali, a baked treat made with honey and eggs and topped with walnuts, almonds and raisins, and torte, a delicate cream cake of European origin that is especially popular among the Tatar community. The pastries combine European and Central Asian flavors and are adapted to local tastes in

Xinjiang. The result is a rich yet balanced sweetness that is never overwhelming.

Visitors do not have to search far to find them. Authentic Tatar pastries can be easily found at morning markets and neighborhood bakeries across the city, where they are sold at affordable prices, often for just 10 to 20 yuan ($1.4 to $2.9).

What makes Tacheng truly special is not any single attraction, but the seamless way its diverse heritage weaves into everyday life—shaping not just the city's landscape, but also its identity.