Covering an exhibiting area of 7800 sqm, the museum, of Uygur and Russian styles, is constructed in 1953. A green-tiled dome tops 18m above the main hall and enormous mural reliefs decorate the walls, domes, and entrance. The exhibiting articles of this museum center on two sources, i.e. archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and the local cultural relics.

The first section displays over 50,000 cultural relics excavated on the ancient Silk Road, which including the silk, pottery and porcelain, terra-cotta figures, weapons, scriptures and so on.

The second section show some mummies discovered in the vast desert. Among over 10 mummies, one named "sleeping beauty" is the most famous one. Buried underground for about 3,800 years, it keeps unbroken, ranking as the earliest and best-preserved mummified body in China.

Besides, various articles of minorities are also showed in the museum, which include clothing, household utensils, handicrafts, hunting accoutrements and musical instruments as well as the Uygur house and different styles of yurts, giving a vivid introduction of the customs and cultures of different minorities.