Ili, Xinjiang

The Symphony of Colors and Accordions: Exploring Yining’s Hexagonal Liuxing Street

📸Photography 🏯Old Towns 🛤️Silk Road(丝绸之路)

Altitude

650m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Free

ℹ️

About This Attraction

Liuxing Street (Six Star Street), located in the heart of Yining City (Ghulja) within the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, is a vibrant and historically significant cultural block that defies the grid-like structure of modern cities. Covering a core area of approximately 0.5 square kilometers, this neighborhood is not merely a scenic spot but a living community where history, architecture, and multi-ethnic traditions blend seamlessly.

The street's unique layout dates back to the mid-1930s (around 1934). Influenced by the Western concept of the "Garden City," the area was designed with a central point—originally a school or public plaza—from which six main streets radiate outward like the spokes of a wheel. These streets divide the block into six fan-shaped sectors, creating a hexagonal star pattern that is rare in Chinese urban planning. This design was intended to create an orderly, equitable, and accessible community, a legacy that remains visible today.

Culturally, Liuxing Street is a melting pot known for its harmonious coexistence of diverse ethnic groups, including Han, Uyghur, Russian, Tatar, and Uzbek peoples. Walking through the streets, visitors are greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors. The architecture is a distinctive fusion of styles: distinctive Russian-style tin roofs, intricate Uyghur wood carvings, and courtyard walls painted in vibrant shades of blue ("Ili Blue"), green, and pink. It serves as a "living museum" where the daily lives of residents—baking bread, playing music, or tending to their gardens—are the primary exhibits.

One of the block's crown jewels is the Alexander Accordion Museum. Founded by Alexander Zazulim, a local of Russian descent, this private museum houses over 800 accordions collected from around the world. It stands as a testament to the region's rich musical heritage, where the sounds of the accordion often drift from courtyards, accompanying traditional folk songs. Another cultural landmark is the Gulan Danm Ice Cream Shop, a century-old establishment that offers not just authentic handmade ice cream but also a nostalgic atmosphere resembling an art gallery.

1.Visitors can stroll down Liguang: Street to see traditional handicrafts or relax in a Russian-style bakery. The neighborhood comes alive with the smell of freshly baked lieba (Russian bread) and the sight of locals enjoying afternoon tea. Unlike commercialized tourist zones, Liuxing Street retains a relaxed, pastoral rhythm, making it a perfect destination to experience the "slow life" of Yining and the enduring legacy of the Silk Road's multicultural exchange.

✨ Why Visit Yining Liuxing Street

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Unique Hexagonal Layout

Marvel at the rare "Garden

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Alexander Accordion Museum

Visit

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Multicultural Architecture

Admire the colorful fusion of

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Gulan Danm Ice Cream

Taste the famous, authentic handmade ice cream in a shop that feels like a cultural time capsule.

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Living Folk Museum

Experience the authentic daily life of a diverse community where

Location & Nearby

📍 Ili, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 650m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Yining Liuxing Street Travel Guide

is located in the center of Yining City, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. Is there an entrance fee?

The street itself.

is an open residential block and is free to visit. Specific venues like the Accordion Museum may have a ticket price or require interaction with the owner. Why is it called "Six Star Street"?

The name comes from its planning layout,.

where six main roads radiate from a central point, dividing the area into six sectors resembling a six-pointed star. What is the best time to visit?

The best time.

is from May to October, when the flowers in the courtyards are in bloom and the weather is pleasant. June to August is particularly vibrant. What foods should I try there?

Don't miss the handmade ice cream (Gulan Danm), Russian bread (Lieba), and local kvass (a fermented drink).

Why do you include Chinese characters and Pinyin in the descriptions for Yining Liuxing Street?

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.