1. Overview
The Jiaohe Ruins (交河故城, Jiaohe Gucheng), located 10 km west of Turpan, is a 2,300-year-old city built on a 30-meter-high loess plateau between the Yarnaz River valleys. Spanning 37.6 hectares, it was the capital of the Cheshi (Jushi) Kingdom and later a Tang Dynasty garrison. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014) and China’s top-tier protected relic, it showcases unique "cut-from-earth" architecture and Silk Road history.
2. Architectural Marvel
- "Subtractive Construction": Unlike traditional cities, Jiaohe was carved downward from solid earth—streets, homes, and temples were excavated rather than built upward.
- Natural Fortress: The 30m cliffs and encircling rivers acted as natural defenses—no city walls were needed.
- Layout: Divided into three zones by a central avenue:
- East: Aristocratic residences and government offices.
- West: Workshops (pottery, wine-making) and commoners’ homes.
- North: Buddhist temples, including a grand monastery with 101 stupas.
3. Historical Significance
- Silk Road Nexus: A key trade hub linking China to Central Asia, facilitating exchanges of silk, spices, and Buddhism.
- Tang Dynasty Military Base: Hosted the Anxi Protectorate (640 CE), China’s westernmost military command.
- Multi-Ethnic Legacy: Inhabited by Cheshi people, Han Chinese, Uyghurs, and Sogdians, evidenced by diverse artifacts (e.g., golden crowns, Han-style coins).
4. Key Features
- Subterranean Structures: Homes with underground cooling systems to combat Turpan’s extreme heat.
- Infamous "Infant Cemetery": Over 200 infant burial pits—origin unknown (possibly ritual or plague-related).
- Buddhist Artifacts: Murals and Sanskrit manuscripts reflect the spread of Buddhism along the Silk Road.
5. Decline & Rediscovery
- Destroyed in 1383 CE by Mongol wars under Chagatai Khanate.
- Rediscovered in the 1950s, with excavations revealing intact streets and wooden documents from the Tang era.
6. Visitor Tips
- Best Time to Visit: April–October (avoid summer highs of 45°C/113°F).
- Entry Fee: ¥70 (Apr–Oct), ¥35 (Nov–Mar).
- Nearby Attractions: Turpan’s Grape Valley, Bezeklik Caves.
7. Why Visit?
Jiaohe offers a time-capsule of Silk Road glory, blending architectural ingenuity, military history, and cross-cultural fusion. Its eerie, sun-baked ruins inspired poets like Li Qi: "At dusk, we water horses by Jiaohe’s streams".
