Yemili Ancient City: Walking Through the Desert Capital of the Mongol Khanates

1.The Yemili Ancient: City, also known as Yeli Ancient City or Yemili Old City, is a significant historical landmark located 6 kilometers west of Emin County within the Yemule Pasture. Spanning an area of 16 square kilometers at an altitude of approximately 500 meters, this site serves as a "living fossil" of the Chagatai and Wokuotai Khanates,. It is highly regarded by archaeologists and historians for its well-preserved urban layout and profound cultural significance.

The history of the city is tied to Genghis Khan's westward expedition in 1219. In 1225, Ogedei Khan established Yemili as his fiefdom, and by 1229, when he became the Great Khan, it evolved into one of the major political centers of the Mongol Empire. For a century, the city remained a vital junction for trade and military movements between Central Asia and the Mongol heartland.

Today, the ruins offer a stark and atmospheric glimpse into the past. The city structure features three distinct layers: the outer city, inner city, and the palace walls, all constructed with traditional rammed earth techniques,. The surviving walls reach heights of up to 5 meters, with base thicknesses of 10 meters, reflecting the defensive grandeur of the 13th and 14th centuries. Within the ruins, functional zones such as residential areas, handicraft workshops, and religious sites are still identifiable, allowing visitors to visualize the bustling life of this ancient capital.

The surrounding landscape is characterized by a sense of desolate beauty, where the red-toned earth meets the vast Xinjiang sky. Surface artifacts, including red and grey pottery shards and ancient iron tools, continue to be discovered, acting as silent witnesses to the rise and fall of empires. Visiting Yemili is not just a sightseeing trip but an immersive historical experience that connects the modern traveler with the legacies of the Silk Road.