Jiaohe Ruins are located 6 kilometers west of Yar Township, Gaochang District, Turfan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the largest, oldest, and best-preserved adobe-built city in the world, as well as the most intact urban relics in China preserved for more than two thousand years. In 2014, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List and is a key national cultural relic protection unit. The ruins stretch about 1,750 meters from north to south and about 300 meters at the widest point from east to west, with a total area of 470,000 square meters and existing architectural remains of 360,000 square meters. All buildings were constructed by rammed earth, with a layout similar to Chang'an City in the Tang Dynasty. The city has complete remains of marketplaces, official offices, Buddhist temples, pagodas, streets, as well as workshops, residences and other architectural sites.
History and Culture
Jiaohe Ruins were founded and built by the Cheshi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD, reaching their peak in the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Tang Dynasty. It was originally the capital of the "Cheshi Qian Guo", one of the 36 states in the Western Regions. The Anxi Protectorate, the highest military and political institution in the Western Regions of the Tang Dynasty, was first located in Jiaohe Ruins. From the 9th to the 14th century, due to its important strategic position and continuous wars, Jiaohe City gradually declined and was eventually abandoned. In the 14th century, after years of brutal wars, Mongol nobles Haidu and other rebels successively captured Gaochang and Jiaohe. Under the dual blow of spirit and material, Jiaohe completed its life course.
Main Attractions
Monastery Area
Located in the north of the ruins, with a construction area of about 90,000 square meters, centered on a large monastery. Most buildings are rectangular courtyards with gates facing the adjacent streets, and most main rooms have a square earth pillar, which should be an altar or pagoda pillar.
Official Office Area
Located in the middle of the East Avenue Area, the ruins of official buildings in the city reflect the political management center of the time.
Residential Area
Divided into the large residential area in the south of the East Avenue Area, the small residential area in the north, and the residential area in the West Avenue Area, with a construction area of about 78,000 square meters. The residential ruins here show the living scenes and housing styles of ancient residents.
Handicraft Workshop Area
Located in the West Avenue Area, there are many handicraft workshops distributed here, reflecting the development status of handicrafts in Jiaohe Ruins at that time, and it is an important area for studying the ancient urban economy.
Stupa Group
A spectacular group of stupas is built in the north of the city, possibly a forest of stupas for burying eminent monks of past dynasties. The stupa group has 101 stupas and is an important religious architectural relic of the ruins.
Underground Courtyard
In the southeast, there is a grand underground courtyard with an 11-meter-square patio on the top. The east side of the patio faces the south road, with four layers of gate fences. The patio ground has a tunnel 3 meters wide, 2 meters high, and 60 meters long, connecting with the north-south avenue. According to investigations, it is speculated that it might have been the residence of the Anxi Protectorate, later becoming the official office of Tianshan County.
Food
There are few food options within Jiaohe Ruins Scenic Area. Visitors can taste local special foods in Turfan urban area outside the scenic area.
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Made from fresh lamb, marinated specially and roasted over charcoal. The meat is tender, crispy outside and tender inside, sprinkled with seasonings like cumin and chili powder, with a pungent aroma.
Big Plate Chicken
Chicken is cut into pieces and stewed with potatoes, green peppers, belt noodles, etc. The chicken is tender and flavorful, the potatoes are soft, and the belt noodles absorb the flavor of the chicken and soup, with a chewy texture and rich taste.
Nang (Uyghur Bread)
A traditional Xinjiang pasta with various flavors and shapes. Baked in a nang pit, it has a crispy outer skin and a soft interior, with a rich wheat aroma, and can be eaten directly or paired with other dishes.
Grapes
Turfan is famous for its grapes, and there are various grapes sold around Jiaohe Ruins. The grapes here have diverse varieties, such as seedless white grapes, which have thin skins, tender flesh, extremely high sweetness, and a delicious taste.
Tickets
The ticket price is 70 yuan per person, and the self-driving night tour ticket is 168 yuan per person. Subject to the actual price of the scenic area. As of May 30, 2025, no official WeChat public account has been found.
Opening Hours
Open from 09:30 to 19:30 throughout the year. Subject to the actual opening hours of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Visitors can first visit along the central avenue running through north and south, successively touring the Official Office Area, Residential Area, Handicraft Workshop Area, etc. Then go to the Monastery Area in the north to appreciate the monastery buildings and stupa group. Then go to the stupa forest in the north of the city to feel the vicissitudes of history. Finally, visit the underground courtyard in the southeast to understand the ancient living and defense facilities. The whole tour is recommended to arrange half a day, and you can stay appropriately in different areas according to your interests and time.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 1 or 101 on Xincheng Road in Turfan urban area to Yar Township, then transfer to a minivan, tricycle, taxi or "horse taxi" to the scenic area.
- Taxi: Take a taxi from Turfan urban area to the scenic area, with a fare of about 20 yuan.
- Self-driving: Start from Turfan urban area and drive along the relevant road to reach the scenic area, with a parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- Monastery Area: With a grand scale and regular architectural layout, it allows people to feel the prosperity of ancient Buddhism and the solemnity of religious culture.
- Residential Area: You can see different types of residential ruins and understand the living styles of ancient residents and the residential pattern of the city.
- Stupa Group: The spectacular stupa forest is one of the landmark buildings of the ruins, with high historical and artistic values.
Tour Tips
- The temperature is high in summer. Take sun protection measures, carry sun hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc., and bring more drinking water to prevent heatstroke.
- You can choose to visit in the morning or evening to avoid the high temperature at noon. Try to avoid staying outdoors for a long time when the temperature is high at noon.
- If you are interested in history and culture, spend more time visiting different areas carefully to understand the history and cultural connotations of the ruins.
- You can hire a guide to have a deeper understanding of the historical background and cultural value of Jiaohe Ruins.
Notes
- Abide by the regulations of the scenic area and do not touch or damage cultural relics and historic sites at will.
- Respect local religious beliefs and customs.
- As most buildings in the scenic area are adobe structures and the ground in some areas is uneven, pay attention to safety when walking to avoid falling.
- Take good care of personal belongings, especially in crowded places, and pay attention to preventing theft.