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Toksun county, Turpan Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The largest, oldest and best-preserved ancient earth construction city.
Jiaohe Ancient City is located about 10 kilometers from Gaochang District of Turpan, which is on the ancient Silk Road. Jiaohe Ancient City is the oldest and best-preserved city in the world. Jiaohe Ancient City, also known as Yaer Lake Ancient City, is a city founded in the 2nd century BC and abandoned in the 5th century A.D. It is the oldest and best-preserved earth building city. This ancient city is not only the traffic artery of the ancient Silk Road, but also an important witness to the history of Chinese civilization for more than 5,000 years. Jiaohe Ancient City is known as the most perfect ruins in the world for its unique architectural art and historical value.
Jiaohe Ancient City was very prosperous in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty, and it was an important military fortress and commercial center in the western regions. It reached its peak in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty, and became the seat of the highest military and political institution in the Western Regions of Tang Dynasty. However, due to years of war, the ancient city gradually declined and eventually became a ruin. It wasn't until 1950s that Chinese archaeologists came here to work, and this ancient city with a thousand years was known to the world again. In 2014, Jiaohe Ancient City was successfully listed in the World Heritage List as a site in the Silk Road: Road Network of Chang 'an-Tianshan Corridor" jointly applied by China, Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan.
The architectural layout of Jiaohe Ancient City is unique. It is a city dug underground, just like a huge earthy sculpture. This method has a certain relationship with the traditional cave excavation methods in Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia. And the rich architectural techniques show the exchange of architectural skills and urban culture between the ancient western regions and the Central Plains. Jiaohe Ancient City is built on a 30-meter cliff, surrounded by water on three sides, and the terrain is dangerous. The scenic spot is about about 1,700 meters long and 300 meters wide, and is divided into official areas, slums, monasteries, tombs and other areas. The main attractions include underground houses, temples and towers. The architectural feature of the old city is rammed with loess.
The Jiaohe Ancient City is one of the well-preserved ancient city ruins in China, where you can see the buildings and layout of the ancient city. Walking in the Jiaohe Ancient City, you can imagine the life of the people who used to live here. And there are remaining buildings, where you can know about the architectures in western regions in the past. Walking in the Jiaohe Ancient City, everyone will be shocked by this grand and exquisitely designed thousand-year city. The existing ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City cover an area of about 470,000 square meters. There are 34 streets and lanes, more than 1,300 houses, and more than 700 well-preserved ones.
With a history over thousand years, you can know about the history and culture of the Jiaohe Ancient City. In the history, Jiaohe Ancient City is not only the highest military and political institution, but also an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Walking in the Jiaohe Ancient City, we can know about the foundation, prosperity and decline of this ancient city.
In 640 A.D., with the establishment of the highest military and political institution in Jiaohe Ancient City in Tang Dynasty, Jiaohe Ancient City became the core hub of administration, military, religion and transportation in the western regions. During the Tang Dynasty, the Silk Road was unprecedentedly prosperous. The materials such as silk, porcelain and books from the Central Plains, as well as advanced production technology and cultural concepts, were continuously transported to the western regions. The spices, crops and other specialties from the western regions were also introduced into the Central Plains along the Silk Road. Different nationalities and cultures collide, communicate and merge here, and Jiaohe Ancient City has become a metropolis of international trade and a gathering place of multiculturalism.
The best time to visit Jiaohe Ancient City is spring and autumn with comfortable temperatures and less crowds. In spring and autumn, the weather is comfortable, which is suitable for strolling around and photo taking.
Turpan is one of the hottest cities in China, and sometimes its temperature can exceed 40℃ in summer. If you happen to visit Turpan in summer, you’d better choose outdoor activities in morning and afternoon. If you prefer quiet atmosphere, you can visit Jiaohe Ancient City in winter, when it is cold and windy.
The best time to visit Jiaohe Ancient City in a day is morning or afternoon with comfortable weather and good sunlight. During the sunrise or sunset, the Jiaohe Ancient City is more beautiful and magnificent. And the noon at Jiaohe Ancient City is hot, especially in summer. And there are few shadows in the Jiaohe Ancient City for you to avoid the heat.
Jiaohe Ancient City is about 10 kilometers from Turpan, and you can take taxi to the Jiaohe Ancient City from Turpan.
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