Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs

Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs are located 40 kilometers southeast of Turpan and 6 kilometers from the ancient city of Gaochang with an area of 10 square kilometers. It was known as "the Underground Museum" for providing the living archives of Gaochang to both Chinese and foreign archaeologists and historians. Buried in these tombs are ancient Gaochang residents, including nobles and commoners from the Western Jin to the middle Tang Dynasty.
Three tombs have been opened to visitors. A steep passage leads down into the underground chamber. Gravel boundaries separate the tombs by family. Although so many years have past, because of the dry climate, the corpses haven't rotted, but dried-up like mummies. There are also many funerary objects in the chamber, such as paintings, earthen figurines and household utensils and so on, which are well-preserved and as colorful as new ones. Even grains, breads, pastries and dumplings etc. are found still fresh. It is indeed a wizardly phenomenon.