Changji, Xinjiang

An Oasis from the Gobi: Witnessing the Spirit of Pioneers at the Shihezi Reclamation Museum

📸Photography 🛤️Silk Road(丝绸之路)

Altitude

800m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Free

ℹ️

About This Attraction

1.The Shihezi Reclamation: Museum, located in the heart of Shihezi City, Xinjiang, stands as a profound monument to the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and their monumental effort in transforming the barren Gobi Desert into flourishing oases. Situated at No. 302 Beizi Meridian Road (Bei Zi Wu Lu), the museum is housed in a historic building that was originally the office of the 22nd Corps of the People's Liberation Army, constructed in 1952. This structure itself is a significant cultural artifact, featuring a distinctive Soviet-style architecture that reflects the era of its creation and the deep historical ties of the region's development,.

The museum serves as the primary repository for the history of "Army Reclamation" (Junken) in China. It is not merely a collection of artifacts but a vivid narrative of the "Army Reclamation Spirit"—a testament to the resilience, sacrifice, and pioneering will of the soldiers and youths who dedicated their lives to cultivating the frontier. The exhibition space covers approximately 2,700 square meters and houses a vast collection of over 10,000 cultural relics, including weapons, tools, clothing, and historical documents that chronicle the journey from a desolate "reed lake" to a modern "Garden City",.

Entering the museum, visitors are greeted by a grand Prologue Hall featuring a massive relief sculpture titled "Army Reclamation Pioneering" (Junken Chuangye), which sets a solemn and heroic tone. The main exhibitions are divided into sections that vividly restore historical scenes. One of the most emotionally impactful exhibits is the "Di Yin Zi" (Earth Shelter) restoration. This life-sized diorama recreates the primitive and harsh living conditions of the early pioneers who lived in dugouts underground to survive the extreme climate while building the city from scratch,.

Another centerpiece is the "Human Pulling Plow" scene. Before the arrival of mechanized tractors, soldiers had to pull plows manually to till the hard Gobi soil. The museum uses realistic sculptures and backdrops to freeze this moment of sheer physical struggle and determination, symbolizing the "man conquering nature" spirit that defines Shihezi.

The collection also includes deeply moving personal artifacts, such as patched military uniforms—some with hundreds of patches—that tell stories of frugality and hardship. You can see the simple tools, the "KanTuMan" (a local farming tool), and the early industrial equipment like the "First Gunpowder Maker" and "First Cotton Spreader," which mark the birth of modern industry in Xinjiang from nothing. The museum is not just a lesson in history; it is an emotional journey into the "Red Culture" of Xinjiang, celebrating the people who rooted themselves in the desert to build a home for future generations,.

✨ Why Visit Shihezi Reclamation Museum

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A museum dedicated to the history of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) and its reclamation efforts.

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Extensive collection of historical artifacts, photographs, and documents from the pioneering era of the 1950s.

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Life-sized dioramas and exhibits depicting the harsh living and working conditions of early military settlers.

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The museum's architecture itself reflects the austere, functional style of the early reclamation period buildings.

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Key exhibits on the agricultural and industrial development that transformed the Gobi Desert into farmland.

Location & Nearby

📍 Changji, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 800m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Shihezi Reclamation Museum Travel Guide

Where is the Shihezi Reclamation Museum located?

It is located at No. 302 Beizi Meridian Road (Bei Zi Wu Lu), Shihezi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

What is the significance of this museum? It is the first museum in China dedicated to the history of Army Reclamation, memorializing the soldiers who developed agriculture and industry in Xinjiang's deserts.

Do I need a ticket to enter? Policy can change, but it is generally a public museum. Visitors usually need to show a valid ID or passport for entry. It is recommended to check for reservation requirements during peak seasons.

How much time should I spend there? A visit typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to fully appreciate the exhibits and the historical context.

Is the museum open every day? Like many museums in China, it is typically closed on Mondays (except for public holidays). Opening hours are generally from morning to late afternoon (e.g., 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM), but it is best to check locally.

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Shihezi Reclamation Museum?

We provide the original Chinese names and Pinyin to make your travel smoother. Since English is rarely spoken in remote parts of Western China, you can easily show these Chinese names to local taxi drivers, hotel staff, or police when asking for help, or copy-paste them directly into Chinese navigation apps like Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps.