Jiaohe Ancient City: A Treasure in the Yellow Sands of the Silk Road

Jiaohe Ancient Town is an island-shaped plateau situated at Yar Town, 13 km west of Turpan City. It looks just like a small island in the middle of the Jiaohe River. The whole area of Jiaohe Ancient Town is 1650 meter long from the south to the north and the widest distance is about 300 meters from east to west. Judging from the constructive structure, Jiaohe Ancient Town is the largest, oldest and well preserved earth-structured city in the world.

Unlike any other ancient city you’ve visited, Jiaohe was not built with bricks or stones but was carved directly from the earth, making it the largest, oldest, and best-preserved raw-earth city in the world. For travelers planning Xinjiang tours, this archaeological wonder offers a rare chance to walk through 2,300 years of history, from the Cheshi Kingdom to the Tang Dynasty, and witness a disappearing city that time almost forgot.

Turpan Jiaohe Ruins Facts

History of Jiaohe Ruins in Turpan

What is the history of Jiaohe ruins? Jiaohe Ancient City in Turpan locals know today was originally founded around 300 BC by the Cheshi people, one of the 36 kingdoms of the Western Regions during the Western Han Dynasty. It was founded and built by Cheshi people from the 2nd century B.C. to the 5th century, and reached its peak in the Southern and Northern Dynasties (A.D. 420-589) and the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907).

From the 9th to the 14th century, Jiaohe City was caught in successive wars for its important strategic position, which led to its gradual decline. During the Chahetai period at the end of the Yuan Dynasty (A.D. 1271-1368), Jiaohe City was seriously damaged and finally abandoned. The whole city has been in use for nearly 2000 years and has been abandoned for 700 or 800 years. Walking in the ruins, it seems that you can hear the camel bells of the caravan in the ancient times.

Jiaohe Ancient Ruins’ Layout & Architecture

After thousands of years of ups and downs, the main structure of the city is still miraculously preserved, which should benefit from the dry and rainless climate of Turpan. This is one of the perfect places for a deep Turpan tour.

A City Grown Out From Earth

The charm of Jiaohe Ancient City comes from its architectural technique of “reducing earth and retaining walls,” making the entire city look as if it has grown out of the loess.

The whole ancient city is surrounded by cliffs. Three gates are built on the cliffs in the east, west and south. All the buildings are made of rammed earth, and the layout is similar to that of Chang’an City in the Tang Dynasty. Clay Bodhisattvas, government offices, Buddhist temples, pagodas, streets and alleys, as well as workshops, dwellings, military training grounds can all be found in the city.

The Central Avenue and Its Functional Architecture

There is a long central avenue runs north to south, dividing Jiaohe Ruins into two main sections. Its western part housed common residents and workshops, while the eastern part was reserved for rulers and government officials. At the northern end stands a massive Buddhist monastery with 101 stupas, one of the largest remaining structures in the ruins. Archaeological excavations in recent years have also uncovered an underground Buddhist temple, a noble cemetery from the Cheshi Kingdom, Buddhist ashes, and many other valuable relics.

>> Related Reading: Buddhism in China: Exploring its History, Influence, and Present-day Significance

How to Get to Jiaohe Ancient City

Jiaohe Ancient City is located about 10 km (6.2 miles) west of Turpan city center, approximately a 20-minute drive.

The most convenient option is by taxi. Taxis from Turpan city to the ruins will cost about CNY 30–50 each way.

Also, you can reach here by public bus: just take bus route No. 1 or 101 to Yar Township, from there, you can take a horse-drawn carriage (about CNY 20) to the entrance.

Best Time to Visit Jiaohe Ancient City

The best time to visit Jiaohe Ancient City in Turpan are spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). At these times, Turpan’s temperatures are mild and the scenery is ideal for photography.

If you come during summer, the temperature can be really hot, with it often exceeding 40°C (104°F). Just remember to arrive early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat.

>> Learn more about Turpan Weather

Tips for Visiting Jiaohe Ancient City

>> Learn more about Turpan Travel Tips

Explore Turpan’s Ancient Wonders with Easy Tour China

Exploring Jiaohe Ancient City is like stepping back in time to the golden age of the Silk Road. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient history or simply love unique landscapes, there are also different things to do in Turpan. Easy Tour China also offers various itineraries to other Turpan highlights, including the Gaochang Ruins, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves , and the Karez Irrigation System. Just let us help you create an unforgettable travel through Xinjiang’s most captivating historical sites. Here are some recommended trips.