Abakh Hoja Mausoleum

Abakh Hoja Mausoleum

The Abakh Hoja Mausoleum is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Abakh Hoja Mausoleum is located in the northeastern suburbs of Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The Abakh Hoja Mausoleum is the tomb complex of Apak Khoja, the leader of the White Mountain sect of Islam in the Kashgar region, and his family. It includes tombs, a prayer hall, a scripture lecture hall, and more. Originally built around the year 1640, it has undergone multiple renovations and expansions over time, gradually growing in scale.

The tomb is the main structure of the entire complex, nearly rectangular in shape, with a base width of about 35 meters and a depth of 29 meters. At each of the four corners of the tomb stands a circular column, half-embedded in the wall, with a base diameter of about 3 meters. At the top of each column is a delicately crafted minaret, topped with a crescent moon symbolizing Islam. The roof of the tomb is a large semi-circular dome constructed from ordinary adobe bricks, with a diameter of over 17 meters. The construction of such a large-diameter dome using common adobe bricks showcases the architectural craftsmanship of the time. At the very top of the tomb’s dome, there is also a small cylindrical tower and a crescent moon, mirroring the smaller towers and moons at the four corners. The tomb stands approximately 26 meters tall and is covered entirely in green glazed bricks from top to bottom. The surface of the bricks is inscribed with ancient Arabic and Persian Islamic religious scriptures.

The outer hall of the prayer mosque is richly decorated, with the column capitals of the outermost row featuring varied designs and the column shafts intricately carved. The towering minarets located at the corners of the prayer hall, along with those on either side of the gate, exemplify Islamic architectural characteristics. The main tomb chamber houses the remains of seven generations of Apak Khoja’s family, totaling 72 individuals. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units