Hey history buffs and culture lovers! 🏺 Nestled in the oasis north of the Turpan basin in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Jiaohe Ruins are a 2,000-year-old clay city frozen in time.
Once a major transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road, Jiaohe's earthen walls, temples, and homes were all carved from the ground itself. This makes it the world's best-preserved, longest-lasting, and largest clay-built city! 🛤️
In 1961, Jiaohe was designated a national key cultural relic protection unit. Fast-forward to June 2014, and it joined the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor, a joint effort by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. 🌏 Now that's a global squad meant to preserve shared history.
What's cool is how tech meets tradition here. Preservation teams use digital scans and 3D models to reinforce fragile areas while keeping the site authentic. Meanwhile, cultural tourism programs offer interactive exhibits, so you can scroll your phone for bite-sized stories about each ruin. 📲
Whether you're into offbeat travel spots or crave epic photos against earthen backdrops, the Jiaohe Ruins are a must-see heritage gem in Xinjiang. 💫
Reference(s):
Xinjiang color palette: Unveiling the timeless charm of Jiaohe Ruins
cgtn.com
