Subei Autonomous County Branch of the China National Museum of Ethnic Groups

📍 Address: Sunzhaqi Niu Lu Town, Subei Kazak Autonomous County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

🏛️ Historical Background

The Subei Autonomous County Branch of the China National Museum of Ethnic Groups is a vital component of the national system of ethnic museums, established upon the rich history and unique cultural heritage of the Xibe people. In 1764, under imperial decree, the Xibe people were relocated from their ancestral homeland in northeastern China (then known as Shengjing, today Shenyang) to defend the western frontier, traversing thousands of miles to settle in the Yili River Valley—marking over 250 years of enduring legacy. The museum’s predecessor was founded in the 1980s, and in 2013 it was officially designated by the State Ethnic Affairs Commission as a "branch of the China National Museum of Ethnic Groups," becoming a central venue for showcasing the Xibe migration history, folk culture, and intangible cultural heritage.

🏰 Architectural Style and Layout

The exhibition building blends Qing Dynasty Manchu architectural traditions with regional characteristics of Xinjiang, employing traditional wooden frame construction combined with brick and stone masonry. Roofs are covered with blue tiles, and eaves feature upward-curving corners, reflecting the harmonious fusion of northern Han Chinese and northwestern minority architectural styles. Spanning approximately 3,000 square meters, the complex houses four permanent exhibition halls: Memory of the Western Migration Hall, Folk Life Hall, Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills Hall, and Costume and Language Hall, with exhibition space exceeding 1,200 square meters.

📜 Key Artifacts and Exhibits

• Facsimile of the Xibe Westward Migration Archives: Rare official Qing dynasty documents recording the full migration journey
• Traditional bows, saddles, and waist knives: Reflecting the martial spirit of nomadic life
• Handwritten Xibe manuscript of Jin Ping Mei: A rare literary work in the Xibe language, among the few of its kind in China
• Costumes and props from the "Beren Dance": Demonstrating the richness of Xibe folk dance artistry
• Actual instrument of the "Xitaher Qin": A nationally recognized representative intangible cultural heritage musical instrument

🌟 Cultural Significance

As the only national-level thematic museum in China dedicated exclusively to the Xibe ethnic group, this branch systematically preserves the complete cultural lineage of the Xibe people—including their language and script, religious beliefs, festival customs, and traditional modes of production and daily life. It serves as a crucial empirical site for studying the diverse yet unified pattern of the Chinese nation. The “Spirit of the Western Migration” has been incorporated into the core content of patriotic education.

🚶‍♂️ Visitor Information

• Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (open on public holidays)
• Admission: Free (reservation required)
• Transportation: Approximately 60 km from Yining City; accessible by public bus or private car
• Recommended Visit Duration: 1.5–2 hours
• Facilities: Bilingual Chinese-English guided tours, audio guides, and wheelchair-accessible pathways

📌 Reminder: Please observe no-photography zones indicated within the museum and respect local cultural etiquette.