Aksu, city (1994 est. pop. 193,700), SW Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, on the Aksu River. The center of an oasis at the foot of the Tian Shan mts., it is a caravan hub on the Old Silk Road. Industries include textile and carpet manufacturing, jade carving, tanning, and metalworking. Iron deposits are in the area. Aksu has ancient Buddhist statues and caves, but most are in poor condition. The name sometimes appears as A-k'o-su.