The Ancient Guimo Kingdom Ruins in Wensu

The Ancient Guimo Kingdom Ruins in Wensu

The Ancient Guimo Kingdom Ruins are a cultural tourism attraction.

The Ancient Guimo Kingdom Ruins are located on an east-west ridge in Wensu Town, covering an area of nearly 6 square kilometers. Historical research indicates that the Guimo Kingdom has a history of over two thousand years, dating back to the Qin and Han dynasties. As one of the “City-State Kingdoms” scattered across the oases on the edge of the Tarim Basin, the Guimo Kingdom was one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. It is currently the most typical symbol of Islamic culture, with ruins spread across four to six layers. Among the relatively well-preserved structures are the Queen Mother Hall, built in the early Qing Dynasty and associated with members of the Huojisi family; the Prince’s City, home to descendants of Wensu Prince Huojisi (early Qing Dynasty), which is a county-level cultural relic protection site; and the General Ma’s Mansion, also built in the early Qing Dynasty in the style of Islamic architecture, another county-level cultural relic protection site. The area is also close to other tourist attractions such as Gao Laozhuang and Wensu residential homes. The Ancient Guimo Kingdom features a grand scale and majestic presence, making it a unique historical and cultural landmark that attracts many visitors from both within and outside Xinjiang every year. Wensu County has a long history and was once one of the ancient Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions. In 60 BC, it became part of the Han Dynasty’s territory and was historically known as the Guimo Kingdom, serving as an important town along the ancient “Silk Road” in southern Xinjiang. Starting from 174 BC, influential historical figures such as Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, the Buddhist translator Kumarajiva, the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang, the famous Tang monk Wukong, the Qing Dynasty officials Jing Lian and Lin Zexu, among others, have visited Wensu County, leaving behind precious historical legends and rich cultural heritage.