Asa Qiao Tuerxi Kurgan Castle

Asa Qiao Tuerxi Kurgan Castle

Asa Qiao Tuerxi Kurgan Castle

The Asa Qiao Tuerxi Kurgan Castle in Qiaha Township, Qira County, is situated beside the Qaha Valley and is said to have been built 900 years ago. The site stretches approximately 2 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width. The ancient fortress was built on a mountaintop, with the main structure measuring about 1,500 meters in length, 15 meters at the base, 1 meter at the top, and 12 meters in height. The walls were constructed from pebbles and earth. A watchtower was built 2 kilometers away from the castle. The Axi Qiao Tuerxi Kurgan Castle is located within Ax Village, Qiaha Township. It is said to have been built in 1001 AD, measuring about 200 meters in length and built of stone. In 1999, both castles were listed as key cultural relics protection units by the autonomous region.

"Asa" (or "Axi") is a place name, "Qiao Tuerxi" refers to the name of an ancient Hotan general, and "Kurgan" means castle. According to the Islamic calendar, after 24 years of warfare, Islam defeated the Buddhist King of Hotan, ending the region’s history of Buddhism.

The Axi and Asa Castles are located 11.4 kilometers west of Qiaha Township, Qira County, and 70 kilometers south of Qira County. There is an unpaved access road suitable for various types of vehicles, with an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.