Gaochang Ancient City: The Lost Capital of the Silk Road and the Buddhist Kingdom

1.Gaochang Ancient: City, known historically as the "King City," is one of the most significant archaeological treasures in Xinjiang. Located approximately 40 kilometers east of Turpan, it stands as a massive monument of raw-earth construction in the middle of the desert. Spanning over 2.2 million square meters, it is recognized as the largest ancient city ruin in western China. In 2014, it was officially inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor".

The city's history is a window into a millennium of Silk Road exchange. It was founded in the 1st century BC by the Han Dynasty as a military garrison known as "Gaochang Wall". Over the centuries, it evolved into the capital of the Gaochang Kingdom (499-640 AD) and later served as a vital center for the Tang Dynasty and the Gaochang Uyghur Kingdom. Its strategic location on the Northern Route of the Silk Road made it a melting pot of cultures where Han, Uyghur, and various Central Asian traditions converged.

Architecturally, Gaochang mimics the layout of ancient Chang'an, consisting of three concentric sections: the outer city, the inner city, and the palace city. The outer city is particularly impressive, with adobe walls stretching 5 kilometers in length and reaching up to 12 meters in height. This massive earthen fortress was eventually abandoned in the 14th century following persistent warfare and environmental degradation, leaving behind the skeletal remains that visitors see today.

Gaochang was also a world-renowned center of Buddhism. One of its most famous historical visitors was the monk Xuanzang, who stayed here for a month to preach before continuing his pilgrimage to India. The ruins of a large monastery in the southwest corner of the city, including a grand hall and a central stupa, testify to the city’s spiritual importance. Exploring Gaochang is more than a sightseeing trip; it is an immersive walk through the rise and fall of Silk Road civilizations.