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火 火The Jiaohe Ancient City Scenic Area is the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved site of a "mud city." Named a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1961, it is known as the "Pompeii of the East" and a key Silk Road city. It was the site of the earliest Tang Dynasty Anxi Protectorate. Located in Yarzigou (Yar Township), approximately 6 km west of Turpan City in Xinjiang, it is built on a 30-meter-high willow-shaped island terrace. Its ancient name, "Jiaohe," stems from the way the river flows around the city. The former Cheshi State established its capital here in the 2nd century BC. It reached its peak from the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, serving as a political, military, and cultural center in the Western Regions. However, due to the infighting of Mongol nobles in the second half of the 13th century, the city was completely abandoned in 1383, leaving it in ruins. Site Features: No city walls: The cliffs surrounding the terrace serve as a natural defense. Raw earth construction: Houses, streets, government offices, and temples were all built from the loess excavated from the site, standing for thousands of years. Clearance: A 350-meter-long central avenue divides the city into east and west sections. The northern end houses the temple area, the southern area houses residences and workshops, and the eastern side houses military camps, storage trenches, and a parade ground, providing clear functional divisions. Main Highlights: South Gate Entrance: The only remaining main access point. Central avenue and flanking high walls: The site's most impressive "central axis." Big Buddha Temple, Northwest Buddhist Temple, and Northeast Buddhist Temple: Remains of clay Buddha statues, pagoda columns, and wing room remains can be seen. Pagoda Forest: A cluster of 101 stupas housing the remains of Buddhist monks. Government Area: A square, underground courtyard with a skylight, presumably the headquarters of the Tang Dynasty's Anxi Protectorate. Workshops, residential buildings, and an ancient well: Insights into the daily lives of the ancient Cheshi people. Opening Hours: 9:30 AM - 7:30 PM. Admission: 70 RMB.
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