Emin Minaret

Introducing Emin Minaret
Emin Minaret is a towering Islamic structure beside the Uyghur Mosque in Turpan. At an impressive 44 meters (144 ft), it proudly claims the title of China’s tallest minaret. Commissioned in 1778 AD by Suleman, the minaret serves as a grand tribute to his father, the revered Uyghur military leader, Emin Khoja.

Built entirely from local materials, this minaret embodies architectural brilliance. Its elegant, circular form features a traditional pointed arch mihrab oriented towards Mecca, framed by a series of distinctive pointed arch doorways. Its base spans over 14 meters (46 ft) in diameter, narrowing gracefully to a mere 2.8 meters (9 ft) at its apex. This tapering effect is emphasized by the use of sun-dried yellow bricks, laid in gradually diminishing sizes for each ascending layer. The bricks themselves are richly textured and adorned with intricate, repeating geometric and floral motifs, including stylized flowers and rhombuses. Internally, the minaret showcases impressive engineering with a spiraling support structure that doubles as a winding staircase of 72 steps leading to the summit.

With its intricate brickwork soaring towards the heavens, the Emin Minaret undoubtedly reigns supreme over this historical site. A visit here is not just impressive, but a truly awe-inspiring journey for the senses.

Emin Minaret Fast Facts
• AKA: Emin Tower
• Chinese Name: SūGōng Tǎ 苏公塔
• Best Time to Visit: April to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 15 - 30 x minutes
• Things to Do: Photography, Culture, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY45
• Address: Mu’na’er Village, Gaochang District, Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

What to Expect at the Emin Minaret
The Emin Minaret distinguishes itself within the landscape of Chinese Islamic architecture by embracing a more austere and traditional Islamic aesthetic. Its imposing facade and geometric patterns along the mosque resonate with Islamic architectural traditions found across the Middle East and beyond, offering visitors seeking an authentically Islamic experience a more universally recognizable expression of the faith.

The Uyghur Mosque
Standing as an inseparable companion to the Emin Minaret, the mosque beckons visitors through its majestic entrance, revealing a serene foyer, an expansive prayer hall, winding corridors, and dozens of small chambers.

The prayer hall itself is an awe-inspiring expanse, its 745 square meters easily accommodating a thousand souls in prayer. Encircling this sacred space are thirty-two chambers, each bathed in a soft, ethereal light. Accessed by symmetrical walkways flanking the prayer hall, these chambers offer moments of quiet contemplation. Above, domed ceilings are punctuated by skylights, serving as both sources of ventilation and natural light. The mosque’s sublime aesthetics and peaceful ambiance create a perfect fusion of earthly artistry and grace.

How to Get to the Emin Minaret
• By Bus: Take bus 208 to Bageri Village Station.