2,300-Year-Old City Jiaohe On The Silk Road near Turpan, China

I Grouped with three other hostelmates to share taxi to Jiaohe Ruins (交河故城) which was a Chinese archaeological site found in the Yarnaz Valley, 10 km west of the city of Turpan in Xinjiang. It is a natural fortress located atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys. (in Chinese: ‘where two rivers meet’) is considered one of the oldest, largest and best preserved earthen cities of its time in China. It was built 2,300 years ago and its ruins are located along the Silk Road. The relics, which are still identifiable in this very unique city, originate from Tang Dynasty (618-907) architectural style, and according to Tang Dynasty historical records, Jiaohe was a capital of the Jushi Kingdom in 108 BC and remained to to 450 AD. No house gates faced the streets; military defense was seemingly the highest priority for this desert military town with a stronghold from 1,600 years ago. The typical city walls that usually surround other ancient cities were never found in the city; instead, Jiaohe faced cliffs on three sides. Had we known it was so impressive, I would rather spent 3-hr instead of just 1-hr there.