Qiuci Capital Ruins

» Kuqa, Xin Jiang

Qiuci Capital Ruins Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

It was an ancient Buddhist kingdom located on the branch of the Silk Road that ran along the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert in the Tarim Basin and south of the Muzat River. The inhabitants used a language called Tocharian, affiliate to the Indo-European language family.

What to visit

In common with many of Xinjiang's ancient cities, Qiuci Capital Ruins was discovered after having disappeared for more than 10 centuries. The extensive ruins lie at the eastern suburb of today's Kuqa was the Ancient City of Qiuci during the Han and Tang dynasty. The west city wall disappeared while the east and south and north walls still stood. The whole city took an irregular square and is surrounded by 2 to 7 meters high city walls made of earth. Apart from vestiges of the ancient city wall, almost all the dwellings were destroyed. Still it left abundant relics to mark the city's history. The ruins evoke your imagination of the Qiuci Kingdom's past glories in the desert.

What to know

Qiuci, today's Kuqa was the largest state among the 36 kingdoms in the Western Regions of ancient China. The recorded history of the Qiuci Kingdom begins about 200 B.C., during the Western Han period when Zhang Qian passed through on his way west. In 60 B.C. the western Han regime put Qiuci under the suzerainty of the Han government. In Tang Dynasty, as China stared to expand its control to Central Asia, Qiuci which was an oasis rich in natural resource became a major trade, political and cultural hub, and later, an important Buddhist center.

Trade center

Qiuci was an important center for Central Asian trade and Indo-European culture. Trade routes running north to the Junggar Basin and south to Hotan across the Taklamakan intersected with the Silk Road at Qiuci (today's Kuqa).

Cultural hub

Qiuci was also famous for its music and dances. Qiuci music heavily influenced Chinese music. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, Qiuci music was played among the common people as well as in court. Their musical instruments (lutes, pipa, paixiao pipes) and notation were being adopted. Today the city is still influential on the art and culture of Xinjiang and its surrounding areas.

The diplomatic relationship

Since 77 B.C. Qiuci was obliged to pay tributes to China. Before that it had been dominated by the Xiongnu federation. The Qiuci had also intensive relationships with the Wusun tribes. Because Qiuci was one of the four Chinese garrisons of the west, it was also a place of permanent rebellions against the Chinese occupation during the Han and Tang Dynasties. The Eastern Han generals Ban Chao and Ban Yong controlled this area around the year 100.

Attractions around » Kuqa, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

• Tianshan Grand Canyon

Historical Site

• Kizilgaha Thousand Buddha Cave
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Grand Kuqa Mosque
• Subashi Ancient City

Qiuci Capital Ruins Highlights

Ancient City & Town in Great China

• Lijiang Old Town
• Ancient Town of Zhouzhuang
• Shuhe Naxi Village
• Jiaohe Ruins
• Ancient Town of Wuzhen
• Pingyao Ancient City
• Tunxi Ancient Street
• Xidi Village
• Hongcun Village
• Yangliuqing Town
• Old Town of Xitang
• Cuandixia Village
• Zhujiajiao Old Town
• Phoenix Town
• Loulan Ancient City
• Qiuci Capital Ruins
• Baidicheng
• Fengdu
• Shibaozhai Temple
• Mallikurwatur Ruins
• Tangyue Archway
• Dali Ancient City
• Qingyan Ancient Town
• Zhenyuan Ancient Town
• Stone Drum Town
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Furong Town
• Qibaozhen Ancient Town
• Tongli Town
• Daxu Ancient Town
• Jingzhou Ancient City
• Nanping Village
• Xingping Town
• Longli Ancient Town
• Ancient Sanlu Temple Street
• Shiban Street
• Ciqikou Old Town
• Tunbao Cultural Village
• Kashgar Old Town
• Subashi Ancient City
• Gyangtze Old Town
• Lhatse
• Jinli Street
• Langzhong Ancient City

Qiuci Capital Ruins FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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