Kizilgaha Beacon Tower

Kizilgaha Beacon Tower

The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is located on an alluvial terrace at the mouth of Yanhuagou Valley at the southern foot of Queletage Mountain in Yixihala Township, Kuqa County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The beacon tower is majestic and towering, built during the Han Dynasty. A beacon tower, also known as a fire beacon, was an ancient method of military signaling. Historical records indicate that fires were lit at night and called “feng,” while smoke signals were sent during the day and called “sui.” It is currently the earliest and best-preserved beacon tower site on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, situated in the prime section of the northern Silk Road with superior geographical advantages, making it a highly valuable tourist attraction.

In June 2001, the beacon tower was designated by the State Council as part of the fifth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. In 2005, it was included in the Grand Heritage Protection Project for the Silk Road (Xinjiang Section).

The Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is the only individual beacon tower in China that has been listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further reading:

· Fifth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units