The Ancient City of Gaochang

 

45 kilometers to the east of Turpan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,

the ancient city of Gaochang

  is located at the Mutougouhe River (木头沟河) Delta, at the southeastern foot of the Flaming Hill, the hottest place in China. Gaochang, which means the king city in Uyghur language, was the capital of the old Yugor people's empire. It was also the main passage of the Silk Road, a great trade route of the past. 

 

An archeologist once said, "If you want to know about Chang'an (Xian) City during the Tang Dynasty, you have to visit the Gaochang Ancient City, because it was the copy of Chang'an." Although it has been here over for more than a thousand years, the past footsteps of prosperity can still be seen. 

 

Since the Han Dynasty about 2,000 years before present, Gaochang had been a trade hub in ancient China to Central Asia and Europe. In addition to hectic business, different religions from around the world were introduced here. Once it had been the most religiously active place in the world. It has left many invaluable treasures to us. In 629 AD, Xuanzang, a famous Buddhist monk from the Tang Dynasty, wanted to improve his spiritual quality. Regardless of danger of being killed because of the going out ban imposed by the imperial authority, he managed to go west via Gaochang and reached India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Xuanzang had left a great Buddhist legacy in old Gaochang City. 

 

The highlights of a Gaochang tour are the outer city, inner city and the palace city. The city wall is having better condition than other sightseeing spots.