Guide to Visiting the Ruins of the Ancient City of Kucha
The Echoes of Earthen Walls in the Ancient Capital of the Western Regions
The ancient city of Kucha is the remaining part of the capital of the Kucha Kingdom during the Han Dynasty, located on the west side of today's Kuqa city: rammed earth city walls intermittently outline a circle, with farmland and residences growing within the city. It has no fences or reconstructed buildings, yet it is the most authentic place in southern Xinjiang to experience the 'on-site feel of an ancient capital'.
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Destination Details
Qiuci was once the chief of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, and the capital city, Yan City, was located here. Today, what can be seen on the surface are mostly the rammed earth ruins from the Han and Tang periods, which, together with the Subashi Buddhist Temple and the Kizil Caves, form the geographical triangle of Qiuci culture.
Highlights for Visiting
- Points of Interest: Remnants of rammed earth city walls and the texture of villages inside and outside the city
- Form: Open-field style site, can be viewed along the roads outside the walls
- Combination: Can be paired with Kuqa Great Mosque, Hetian Old Street, and Qiuci Museum for a half-day tour of Kuqa
The ruins are mostly located between villages and fields. When visiting, please follow the roads and avoid stepping on the farmland or climbing the rammed earth structures.
