Astana-Karakhoja Tombs

Introducing Astana-Karakhoja Tombs
Astana-Karakhoja Tombs are a burial ground located southeast of Turpan. Astana-Karakhoja Tombs represent the largest concentration of excavated Jin and Tang Dynasty tombs in Xinjiang. Serving as the primary resting place for descendants of Chinese settlers in Gaochang from the 4th to the 8th centuries, this sprawling 10-square-kilometer (3.86-square-mile) complex now houses over 500 tombs.

Arranged in the shape of the Chinese character “甲” (jia), the tombs feature sloping passageways leading to chambers that exceed 2 meters (6.5 ft) in height and span around 4 square meters. Ceilings were either flat or vaulted, and the deceased were laid to rest alongside a wealth of possessions, including essential goods, money, figurines, animals, clothing, ornaments, musical instruments, written inventories, and epitaph tablets.

While only three tombs are open to the public today due to preservation efforts, a visit to the Astana-Karakhoja Tombs remains an unforgettable journey through time. Here, visitors can uncover the secrets of the ancient Gaochang people, experiencing the archaeological and cultural sequence of Xinjiang’s history.

Astana-Karakhoja Tombs Fast Facts
• AKA: Astana Cemetery
• Chinese Name: āSī TǎNà GǔMùQún 阿斯塔那古墓群
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1 - 2 x hours
• Things to Do: Culture & History
• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY40
• Address: Approx. 32 kilometers (19.8 miles) southeast of Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

What to Expect at the Astana-Karakhoja Tombs
The Astana-Karakhoja Tombs whisper forgotten stories. The scent of dry desert air mingles with the faintest trace of pigment, a reminder of the vibrant murals that still adorn the walls. Here, among the echoes of the Gaochang people, visitors can trace the delicate brushstrokes of their lives – their clothing, their feasts, the very rituals that guided them to the afterlife.

Silk Manuscripts and Paper Documents
The tombs have yielded a treasure trove of over 2,700 manuscripts and documents, spanning five centuries from the Western Jin Dynasty (266-420 AD) to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). These documents provide an intimate portrait into the past, encompassing economic activities through contracts and accounts, administrative systems through registers and tax records, and the legal landscape through official documents. Personal letters offer intimate perspectives on individual lives, while religious and literary texts illuminate the intellectual and spiritual climate.

Mummified Remains
The region’s arid climate has remarkably preserved the bodies within the tombs. Out of over 500 tombs, 80% contain undecayed corpses, naturally mummified over time. The bodies were shrouded in textiles, and some even used a silver oval-shaped eye-mask with an oval piece of silk covering the face. Among them lies the mummified body of Zhang Xiong (张雄), a famous general of the Gaochang Kingdom. Measuring approximately 1.9 meters (6.3 ft), his body remains in excellent condition, complete with facial hair and clothing.

Masterful Paintings
Paintings found within the tomb complex are diverse in format, encompassing murals, woodcuts, and paintings on paper, silk, and hemp cloth. Thematically encompassing figure paintings, flower-and-bird paintings, and landscape paintings, these tomb paintings from the Jin to Sixteen Kingdoms period (304-439 AD) primarily depict aristocratic life. During the Gaochang period, a shift occurred with the emergence of large-scale portraits of the mythical creators Fuxi and Nuwa. By the Tang Dynasty, tombs featured even more elaborate decorations, showcasing the landscape of the country through detailed silk paintings and murals.

Burial Artifacts
From everyday objects like wooden bowls, combs, and leather shoes, to more elaborate items such as bronze mirrors, silver earrings, and necklaces strung with glass beads, the tombs offered countless artifacts. Textiles, often remarkably well-preserved thanks to the dry climate, display a range of weaving techniques and feature intricate patterns and vibrant colors. The presence of both practical and decorative items reflects a complex culture concerned with both the mundane and the spiritual aspects of life and death.

How to Get to the Astana-Karakhoja Tombs
• The Astana-Karakhoja Tombs are located approx. 32 kilometers (19.8 miles) southeast of Turpan.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle-free transfer to the Astana-Karakhoja Tombs.