Hotan Tuancheng (和田团城) is a national 4A-level scenic area in the heart of Hotan City, Xinjiang. Basic Info Location: Narbag Street, central Hotan Area: 83 hectares Name Meaning: “City of Unity,” from its radial, clustered layout Former Name: “Pigeon Alley” […]

Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins (Subashi Ruins, 苏巴什佛寺遗址 / Zhaoguli Temple 昭怙厘大寺) is Xinjiang’s largest & best-preserved ancient Buddhist complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Kuqa. Basic Information Location: 20 km northeast of Kuqa City, Aksu; southern foot of Queletage […]

Kuqa Grand Mosque (库车大寺) is Xinjiang’s second-largest mosque and a national key cultural relic, located in the old city of Kuqa, Aksu. Basic Information Location: Pakhta Bazaar Road, Kuqa Old City (4 km from Kuqa New Town). Founded: 16th century […]

Kuqa Royal Palace (Kuga Mansion, 库车王府) is China’s last hereditary Uyghur princely mansion, a national 4A-level scenic spot in Kuqa, Xinjiang. Basic Information Location: Linjilu Street, Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture. Built: 1759 (Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong); rebuilt in 2004 (opened […]

Kizilgaha Beacon Tower (克孜尔尕哈烽燧) is the oldest and best-preserved Han-dynasty military beacon on the ancient Northern Silk Road, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Kuqa, Xinjiang. Basic Information Location: 10–12 km northwest of Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture; on the eastern […]

Kizil Caves (Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves) is China’s earliest large-scale Buddhist cave complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Xinjiang. Basic Information Location: Cliffs of Mingwutag Mountain, 7 km southeast of Kizil Town, Baicheng County, Aksu; 65 km […]

Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake of Tianshan) is a stunning alpine glacial lake and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Xinjiang, China. Basic Information Location: Northern slope of Bogda Peak (5,445 m), Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture; ~97 km east of […]

Karez (坎儿井, Kān’ěr Jǐng) is an ancient underground gravity irrigation system in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. Basic Facts Other names: “underground canal”, “well canal” (ancient China); qanat (Middle East). Location: Mainly Turpan & Hami, Xinjiang. Nickname: One of China’s Three Great […]

Sugong Tower (Emin Minaret) is a famous Islamic monument in Turpan, Xinjiang, China. Basic Information Location: 2 km east of downtown Turpan, adjacent to a large Uyghur mosque. Built: 1777 (Qing Dynasty, Qianlong reign). Builder: Ordered by Sulaiman, the second […]

Jiaohe Ancient City (交河故城) Jiaohe Ancient City (Uyghur: Yarkhoto) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014) and the world’s largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen-architecture city ruin. It sits 10 km west of Turpan, Xinjiang, on a 30m-high willow-leaf plateau surrounded […]