The Ancient City of Gaochang

Gaochang is the site of an ancient oasis city built on the northern rim of the inhospitable Taklamakan Desert in Xinjiang，China.During the Yuan and Ming Dynasties，Gaochang was referred to as”“Halahezhuo”and Huozhou.It was destroyed in wars during the 14th century，and old palace ruins and inside and outside cities can still be seen today.The ruins are located 30 km southeast of modern Turpan.Nearby Gaochang is the site of the Astana tombs.Gaochang was built in the lst century BC，it was an important site along the Silk Road.It played a key role as a transportation hub in western China.The ruins are an irregular square，covering an area of about 2，200，000 sq meters（2，631，178 sq yards）.The layout is similar to that of Chang’an City in the Tang Dynasty（618～907）.The city is composed of 3 sections:an outer city，an inner city and a palace city.

Location

The Gaochang Ancient Town site is located on the plain where the north edge ofthe Turpan Basin borders，near the Gobi desert on the south foot of the Flaming Mountain.

Admission Fee

￥20

Opening hour

8：00a.lm.~5：00p.m.

Transportation

By taxi from Turpan to Gaochang.

Take a coach at the Turpan passenger’s station and get off at Shengjinri，then take a three-wheeler to Gaochang Ancient Town.

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