Sugong Pagoda

» Turpan, Xin Jiang

Sugong Pagoda Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Sugong Pagoda is located on the platform of the grape village of Munage village and stands in a southeast suburb, 2 kilometers away from Turpan City, Xinjiang Province. It is a novel modeling of Islamism ancient pagoda and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China.

Why to establish the pagoda

The Sugong Pagoda is known as the Emin Minaret among local residents. A stone tablet at its entrance cites the reason for the pagoda's construction in Wei and Han characters. The structure was completed in 1778 and has more than 200 years of history by Su Laiman II, the ruler of the Turpan Prefecture, to honor his father.

What to explore the pagoda

Sugong Pagoda's height is 44 meters and the base diameter is 10 meters. The pagoda body assumes the shape of a cylinder. The pagoda displays the typical features of Uygur architecture.

• 72 flights of stairs
  There is a column in the center of the tower and 72 flights of stairs assuming the central helix column. These 72 spiraling steps lead to the dome-shaped top of the pagoda. There is an observation room on the tower roof.
• 14 windows
  There are a total of 14 windows at various directions and levels on all four sides for appreciating the complete view of Turpan. On the windows remained 14 long holes were used for natural lighting and ventilation.

Made up of brick blocks, the pagoda's body contains carvings of 15 kinds of patterns of Uygur traditional design. The pagoda body was made up of 15 different types of geometry shape which has the native Uygur minority construction artistic essence.

How to get there

Only 2km southeast of the Turpan City, it is on foot or by bike.

Attractions around » Turpan, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

• Flaming Mountain
• Grape Valley
• Tuyugou Valley

Historical Site

• Jiaohe Ruins
• Sugong Pagoda
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Astana Tombs

Cultural Site

• Karez System
• Grape Valley

Sugong Pagoda Highlights

Tower & Pagoda in Great China

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Yellow Crane Tower
• Jiaxiu Tower
• Iron Pagoda
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Tianfeng Pagoda
• Sugong Pagoda
• Wooden Pagoda
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Nong'an Liao Tower
• Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda
• Kaifeng Po Pagoda
• Yingying Pagoda
• Suojiang Tower

Sugong Pagoda FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to go?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?
2. Mind these customs and taboos

  Other Hints

1. A couple of notes for packing
2. A note on the time difference
3. Emergency Numbers
4. Useful Numbers

• When is the best time to go?

  The best time for visiting is between July and August when the fruit crops are ripe.

  Turpan is well-known for its high temperatures and is also called 'Huo Zhou' (a place as hot as fire). The city is located in Turpan Basin, the hottest as well as the lowest elevation in China; just 98 ft above sea level. The climate is dry, hot and windy with an average rainfall of only 0.9 inches per year. Because of its unique geographical position, the city enjoys very high temperature and very little precipitation. The summers here are long and usually begin in April and end in August. June, July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature above 38C (100.4F) and the recorded highest temperature is 49.6C (121.28F).

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• What are some interesting festivals?

  Grape Festival
  Turpan is renowned for the quality of the fruit grown here and the sweetness of the grapes. Just as the name implies, the grape is the subject of the festival which is held in August each year and lasts for a month. During the festival, you can feel the happiness of harvest in every corner of the city. The grapes of hundreds of varieties are ripe and hang on the vines, waiting for you to enjoy. Amongst them, the white grape without seeds is the favourite one and it is praised as the 'green pearl of China'. In addition to enjoying the sweet grapes you can take in traditional Uygur performances in the festival, such as the wedding ceremony of Uygur and the dancing performances in Tang Dynasty (618-907). Grape Valley is the best option for you to celebrate the festival.

  Eid al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking)
  This fast is one of the five pillars of Islam and Eid al Fitr is the first day after 30 days' fast. The festival is celebrated on the 1st of October according to the Moslem calendar, and lasts for three days. It is an important festival among the Moslems. On the first morning of the festival, people gather together in the mosque to pray. And then, they wear national costumes to call on their relatives and friends. During the festival, people will butcher fat stocks and cook some traditional snacks to satisfy their stomach.

  Eid al Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice)
  The festival is on 10th December according to the Moslem calendar and it is the last day for pilgrimage. In the early morning, all men go to mosque to pray. It is the most important divine service with a largest scale all year round. During the festival, each family should slaughter a sheep, a cow or a camel. And families and friends would gather together to sing and dance happily. Of course, they will also enjoy a sumptuous meal together. After the meal, they often visit the grave to honor the memory of ancestors

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• Mind these customs and taboos

  When traveling in Turpan, you should pay attention to Muslim customs and taboos in particular.
  
  
  • Do not poke the food in dishes or get close to the kitchen.
    
  • Never eat pork or talk about pigs when a Muslim is present.
    
  • Do not wear clothing that is short and too revealing.
    
  
  When receiving something, you should use both of your hands to show your thanks and respect to the host.
  
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• A couple of notes for packing

  1. Although the temperature is high in the day time, you should take a long sleeved shirt as temperatures here vary greatly between day and night.

  2. As the temperature is very high in the summer, it is necessary for you to take a hat, sunglasses and sun-bloc to avoid being burnt.

  3. If you are used to wearing contact lenses, please bring a pair of glasses with you due to the hot dry weather.

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• A note on the time difference

  Although the clock time in Xinjiang is the same as Beijing time, there is two hours difference because of the longitude. You should modify your rest and dinning times two hours later as compared with staying in the central part of China.

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• Emergency Numbers

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Traffic: 122
    

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• Useful Numbers

  • Consumers Complaint Line of the Turpan Consumers' Association: 123154
    
  • Tour Complaints: 8523216
    
  • Time Inquiry: 117
    
  • Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    
  • Weather Forecast: 121
    
  • Railway Inquiry: 8642233
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan Region: 8523653 / 8523663
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan City: 8520171.

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