Jiaohe city ruins (Turfan, Xinjiang)

Ref: 070707-2330     Date: 07-07-2007

A view of the Jiaohe ruins from across a gully - looking south. A Stupa Forest is in the middle ground. Jiaohe (circa 3rd century BC - 14th century AD; also known as Yarkhoto) was one of the most important cities in the Turfan Basin. It was occupied by the Jushi people before being taken over by the Western Han dynasty. The city was finally abandoned during the Ming dynasty. Contemporary structures for drying grapes are visible at the city periphery. Trees grow in the valley bottom, fed by the meltwaters of the Tian Shan.