Ancient City of Jiao He


Jiaohe city is located on a river islet in the Yarnaz River valley 10 km west of Turpan. Jiaohe means
"intersecting rivers", it is 1,650 m long from east to west, 300 m at the widest. Like a willow leaf, the
ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess
plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters (98.4 feet).

About 2000 years ago, Jiaohe was powerful and important - it was the capital of the state of South
Cheshi, one of the kingdoms of the Han dynasty (206-220BC). It was the seat of the imperial court of
the front State of pretty well due to its high location and scanty rainfall.

Jiaohe distinguishes itself from other ancient cities owing to three features. First, it had only two city
gates, the South and East Gates. The main South Gate vanished long ago, leaving a huge breach. The East Gate cut by the cliff was virtually non-
existent. Second, the city faces cliffs on three sides, so there are no city walls commonly seen in other ancient cities. Third, all the buildings were
dug from earth, and wood was rarely used.

According to historical records it was home to 700 households, 6500 residents plus 865 soldiers. The surviving ruins such as official buildings,
pottery kilns, courtyards, temples and pagodas are still distinguishable. A Buddhist monastery complete with dagoba, stands in the center of the
city and inside there are the remains of several headless statues of the Buddha enclosed in niches.

The relics we see today featured Tang Dynasty ( 618-907) architectural style. Houses were dug
downward from the earth, and as no house gates faced the streets, military defense was apparently
priority.