Loulan Ancient City
» Korla, Xin Jiang

楼兰古城

Kroraina Ruins

One of the great mysteries in Chinese history is the disappearance of the ancient city of Loulan. The city was located about 300 km (186.4 miles) northeast of Ruoqiang County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and adjacent to another early city, Dunhuang in Gansu Province. Like Pompeii in ancient Rome which drowned in a sea of volcanic ash, Loulan fell victim to an incredible natural disaster that transformed the once beautiful city into a barren and perilous desert landscape. This inexplicable event has whetted the curiosity of archaeologists and other scientists over the years. Tourists, too, have been intrigued by this site and many venture there despite adverse weather and terrain conditions.

Loulan was established as a kingdom in 176 B.C. and flourished for over 800 years. The city was like an oasis traversed by a limpid river and situated next to a bountiful lake. The city had a population of over 14,000 including an estimated 3,000 soldiers guarding the safety of the kingdom. Many residents made a living fishing and hunting. As one of the major stops on the old Silk Road, the city was a center for the trading of silks, teas, fruit and jewels with the inland. Merchants also used Loulan as a stopover in their travels. In short, the kingdom was booming economically while serving as a peaceful and paradisiacal environment for its citizens and visitors.

Roughly around the year 630, Loulan suffered a natural disaster of epic proportions. Due to humans' unceasing deforestation, raging sandstorms covered the region, rerouting the waterways and literally transformed the city into a desert wasteland. To this day, the terrain is barely navigable and there are severe weather fluctuations. In the summer, the temperature has been known to shift from below 0 degrees C. to over 30 degrees C. from the night to the daytime. The region is extremely arid and continues to be subjected to frequent wind and sand storms. Conditions are so harsh that the area has become known as the 'Death Sea.'

Only in recent years have archaeologists ventured into Loulan. Because of the dangerous environment, some actually have lost their lives. However, those that were able to conduct a successful dig found priceless treasures. The store of cultural relics included stone and jade tools and stone arrowheads dating back to the Neolithic Age (10,000 BC - 5,000 BC). They also found manuscripts from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) as well as silk, pottery, bronzeware, glassware, and ancient currency. So rich were these troves that researchers from around the world have dubbed this area 'Treasure Land of the Desert' and 'Museum Left by History.'

Perhaps the most famous discovery at the Loulan site is the Sanjian Fang, a three-room building said to be the yamen of the area's governor, and a pagoda with 10.4 m. (34.12 feet) high, the tallest building in the city. They also found a woman mummy, the called 'Loulan Beauty,' in the Loulan ancient tomb ditch. The sere corpse is still reserved well after over three thousand years.

Travel Tips

Because of the difficult elements, Loulan is also known as 'the forbidden zone.' Bring lots of water, warm clothes, necessary medicines, handi-wipes and eyedrops. Be prepared for high temperatures and dust. The road to the ancient city is extremely difficult and it is advised that visitors travel in groups. Visitors should also be reasonably fit. There are sightseeing buses in Ruoqiang County, but they cannot enter the archaeological site. If you want to go to the location of the cultural relics, you will need to either walk or ride a camel.

Attractions around » Korla, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

Natural Scene

Historical Site

Historical Site

Cultural Site

Cultural Site

Historical Relic

Historical Relic

Ancient City & Town

Ancient City & Town

  Weather

  1. What about climate in Xinjiang?
  2. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  Food

  1. Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?
  2. Can I eat much fruit in Xinjiang?

  Shopping

  1. Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  Other Hints

  1. What is Xinjiang Time?
  2. What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?
  3. What do we prepare for the long tours?

  • What about climate in Xinjiang?

    Situated deep in the interior of Asia and not penetrated by the air currents from the oceans, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has conspicuous continental climate, with highly changeable temperature, great difference in temperature between day and night, abundant sunshine, intense evaporation and little precipitation.

    The mean annual temperature of Xinjiang is 11.7 C - the hottest month, July, averaging about 25 C and the coldest month, January, -20 C in the north and -10 C in the south - and a mean annual precipitation of 150 mm.


  • What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

    The months of May and October are the best time to travel Xinjiang. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.


  • Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?

    Xinjiang Cuisine can be called as one main style of cooking absolutely. Muslim food is the main stream of Xinjiang Cuisine, beef and mutton is the main meat of Xinjiang people. Xinjiang dishes with salt and spicy flavor are bold in style.


  • Can I eat much fruits in Xinjiang?

    Xinjiang has the reputation of "Home of Melons and Fruits," such as grapes of Turpan, melons of Hami, apples of Aksu, bergamot pear of Korla etc., which are available in different seasons at different places. But please notice that you will get diarrhea if you drink hot tea after eating some fruits.


  • Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

    No. Most attractions are far away from the cities. For the sake of the convenience, it might be good to bring some cash money along the trip.


  • What is Xinjiang Time?

    The Beijing standard time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China. The visitor must know though that in Xinjiang, locals often use the Xinjiang time, which is two hours behind the standard Beijing time. For example, 11:00 AM Beijing time equals 9:00 AM Xinjiang time.


  • What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?

    Xinjiang is a multiethnic region, of which the population of Uyghur is approximately one half of the whole. It is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natural causes. In order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any Muslim Restaurant.


  • What do we prepare for the long tours?

    All Xinjiang tours will last for several days, the attractions scatter here and there. So you will spend your much time in our air-conditioned coach. Besides, the landscape along the way is simplex. Please be prepared for your long Xinjiang tour. It is necessary for you to take a pair of comfortable shoes with you for you will walk a lot.


As one of the major stops on the old Silk Road, the Loulan city was a center for the trading of silks, teas, fruit and jewels with the inland. Merchants also used Loulan as a stopover in their travels. In short, the kingdom was booming economically while serving as a peaceful and paradisiacal environment for its citizens and visitors.



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