Ancient City of Jiaohe

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) is located 10 km (6.2 miles) west of Turpan. Jiaohe was the capital of Chechi Kingdom 2,000 years ago, and was an important garrison during the Western Han (206 BC - 24 AD) and Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). It is the oldest, largest and best preserved earthen city in China with a length of 1,600 meters and a width of 300 meters at the widest part.
The buildings here were built over the caves, so they are half-buried in the earth. The grand temple in the southeast is the only brick building in the city. The ancient city was well-planed. The residence of the temples and officials, the residence of common people, and the workshop area are divided by an avenue, so the city looks orderly and elegantly.