Akesu

Akesu, also romanized as Aksu, is a prefecture-level city in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. It serves as the administrative center of Aksu Prefecture and is located in the northern Tarim Basin along the Aksu River, near the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains. The area experiences an arid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, and irrigation supports oasis farming in an otherwise dry landscape.

Historically, the region was part of transit networks on the Silk Road and has long been an agricultural oasis in Central Asia. In the modern era it has developed as a regional hub for farming, processing, and trade within Xinjiang, benefiting from its location along transport corridors that connect interior Xinjiang with downstream markets.

Administratively, Akesu forms the urban core of Aksu Prefecture, which comprises several county-level divisions. The population is ethnically diverse, with a plurality of Uyghurs and a mix of Han Chinese and other groups contributing to the region’s cultural landscape.

The economy centers on agriculture—especially cotton and fruit production, including grapes and apples—and on related processing and logistics activities that support regional commerce. Transportation infrastructure, including highways and railways, links Akesu with other Xinjiang cities and facilitates the movement of goods and people.

Cultural life in Akesu reflects the region’s Uyghur and Central Asian influences, with local markets, religious sites, and traditional crafts contributing to the area’s distinctive heritage. The city continues to balance agricultural activity with growing emphasis on industry, trade, and tourism within Xinjiang.