Ancient City of Jiaohe

Ancient City of Jiaohe
Zossolino · CC BY-SA 4.0

A ruined earthen city atop a leaf-shaped plateau between two river valleys near Turpan, Xinjiang. Capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom from 108 BC to 450 AD, it served as a key Silk Road stop. Buildings were carved from the natural loess plateau rather than constructed, making it the world's largest and best-preserved earthen city. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 as part of the Silk Roads corridor. The city was 1,650 m long and 300 m wide, with no city walls due to its natural cliff defenses.

TypeCity/town/settlement
Period3000 - 1500 BC
CountryChina
Coordinates42.9534° N, 89.0660° E

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