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Ruins of Jiaohe

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

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The Ruins of Jiaohe are perched atop a massive, leaf-shaped plateau in the Yarnaz Valley, roughly 10 kilometers west of Turpan in Xinjiang. Known as the 'confluence of rivers' due to its location between two river branches, Jiaohe is the world's largest and best-preserved ancient city constructed using a 'negative' architectural technique. Instead of building upward, its residents carved homes, temples, and administrative buildings directly into the loess earth of the plateau, creating a subterranean streetscape. Established in the 2nd century BC as the capital of the Cheshi Kingdom, it served as a critical strategic stronghold along the Silk Road for over a millennium. The natural 30-meter-high cliffs of the plateau provided such effective defense that the city lacked artificial fortifications like walls. Jiaohe flourished as an administrative center under the Tang Dynasty and later as a Uyghur stronghold before being devastated and eventually abandoned in the 13th century following Mongol invasions. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains a marvel of ancient engineering and urban planning.

Location: China
Top sights: Jiaohe Ancient Uygur City Museum · Southern Buddhist Temple · Stupa Forest

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Apr, May, Sep.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-6	-1	8	16	23	29	31	30	23	14	4	-4
Rain mm	4	5	5	11	13	14	16	13	8	7	8	6

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The fascinating ruins of Jiaohe stretch across a steep plateau and are open to the public, allowing visitors to marvel at the remains of the former buildings and streets entirely under the open sky.

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Typical hours

Opening hours typically follow the standard daylight hours of the region, with a late afternoon visit highly recommended to avoid the most intense midday heat on the exposed loess plateau.

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Photography

Photographing the dramatic plateau landscape with its structures carved from the loess is a dream for photographers, though drone flights are generally strictly prohibited to protect the site.

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Time needed

Plan to spend roughly two to three hours touring the extensive facility on the plateau so that you can carefully explore the various sectors of the ancient city without feeling rushed at all.

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Combine with

Because Jiaohe is located close to Turpan, it is a great idea to combine a visit with the famous Karez irrigation system or the welcoming Emin Minaret to better understand the local cultural history.

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Getting there

The ruined city can be easily reached from Turpan by taxi or as part of a guided tour, with the drive through the river valley offering spectacular views of the striking surrounding landscape.

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Insider tip

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes as the pathways on the plateau can be dusty and uneven, and make absolutely sure to bring a water bottle since on-site supplies are generally quite limited.

Geography

Coordinates

42.91500, 89.16800

Facts

Jiaohe was established as the capital of the Cheshi Kingdom in the 2nd century BC.
The plateau is approximately 1,650 meters long and 300 meters wide at its widest point.
It is unique for its 'negative architecture,' where buildings were carved out of the earth.
Natural cliffs ranging from 10 to 30 meters high served as the city's primary defense.
A massive Buddhist monastery covering 5,000 square meters is located in the city center.
The city was abandoned in the late 13th century after being sacked by Mongol forces.