Imagine stepping into a desert oasis where history is carved in clay walls 🏜️. The Jiaohe Ruins sit quietly in the oasis north of the Turpan basin in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Once a bustling Silk Road hub, today it stands as the largest, longest-lasting clay-built city in the world.
Built over 2,000 years ago, Jiaohe thrived as a key transportation crossroads, linking East and West along ancient camel caravans. Time and nature sculpted its winding streets and fortress-like structures, revealing layers of daily life from a bygone era. 🐪📜
Thanks to decades of preservation work, the site earned national key cultural relics protection status in 1961. Then, in June 2014, the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor—co-nominated by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan—was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Today, the ruins reveal a stunning color palette: sun-baked reds, warm ochres, and soft browns set against vast blue skies 🌈. Every clay wall and corridor feels like a living canvas, perfect for your next travel shot. 📸
Whether you’re an adventurer chasing desert vibes or a culture buff craving deep dives, Jiaohe invites you to explore a timeless chapter of civilization. Pack your bags, set your compass to Xinjiang, and get ready for a journey you’ll never forget! 🧭✨
Reference(s):
Xinjiang color palette: Unveiling the timeless charm of Jiaohe Ruins
cgtn.com
