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Turpan > Turpan Attractions > Jiaohe Ancient City

Jiaohe Ancient City

Jiaohe Ancient City is one of the world's architectural wonders hiding in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of Turpan City. Shaped like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe has a history of 2,300 years and lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 m. Jiaohe is 1,760 m long from northwest to southeast and is 300 m at its widest, with an area of 430,000 sq m. In the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - 24 A.D.), the city served as the capital of the Ancient State of Cheshi, one of the 36 kingdoms in the Western Regions. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the government established Jiaohe County under the jurisdiction of the Tang Western Prefecture. "Anxi Frontier Command," the highest military and administrative body established by the Tang Dynasty in the Western Regions, was once set here.

Jiaohe distinguishes itself from other ancient cities owing to three features. First, it had only two city gates, the South and East Gates. The main South Gate vanished long ago, leaving a huge breach. The East Gate cut by the cliff was virtually non-existent. Second, the city faces cliffs on three sides, so there are no city walls commonly seen in other ancient cities. Third, all the buildings were dug from earth and wood was rarely used.

The central avenue, 350 m (1148.3 ft) long, runs north from the South Gate, separating the city into three parts; namely, residences for common people, temples, and residences for aristocrats.

To the west of the avenue, low buildings with sparse small temples were residences for commoners, while the high ones in the east were for aristocrats and troops. At the end of the avenue stands a large well-preserved Buddhist temple, Jiaohe Temple, with an area of 5,000 sq m (53,824 sq ft).

The relics we see today featured Tang Dynasty (618-907) architectural style. Houses were dug downward from the earth, and as no house gates faced the streets, military defense was apparently a priority.

At the end of the 8th century, the city was tossed into the reigns of the Turpan, Hui, and Mongols. Residents fled from the destroyed city continuously until in the beginning of the 14th century. The city was abandoned, as was its glory and prosperity of over 2000 years.

Miraculously, owing to the arid climate and remote location, the ancient city of Jiaohe remains intact, leaving us a rare exemplar of an earthen castle.

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Features

One of the world's architectural wonders
Arid climate and remote location
A rare exemplar of an earthen castle

Regular Visiting Hours

2 hours

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