The Aijinai’mu Ancient Tomb Complex

The Aijinai’mu Ancient Tomb Complex

The Aijinai’mu Ancient Tomb Complex is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Aijinai’mu Ancient Tomb Complex

The Aijinai’mu Ancient Tomb Complex is located southeast of the county town, about a straight-line distance of 57.8 km from Shaya and nearly 80 km by road, covering an area of approximately 0.067 hectares.

The tomb complex is surrounded by flat terrain, lush woods, and a solemn, tranquil atmosphere that retains a primitive and rustic feel. The tombs are enclosed by wooden fences, with short earthen walls surrounding them and wooden pergolas overhead. There are many small graves in the vicinity, covering a total area of over 10 acres. Beneath the tall poplar trees nearby, there is a 200-square-meter shelter used as a resting place for visitors and worshippers. In the northeast corner stands a mosque built with earth and wood, covering about 50 square meters, which serves as a place of prayer and scripture reading for followers of Islam. Next to the mosque are two earthen and wooden houses, which are living quarters for the mosque staff.

The tomb complex is situated on the northern bank of the Tarim River. Although it is now a sparsely populated wilderness, it was once part of the ancient Silk Road. Traveling along the river, one could head west to Kucha and all the way to the Pamir Mountains, or east through the Dragon Pile to reach the Yumen Pass, making it one of the important ancient towns along the route. It is said that around the 15th century, when Shaya was part of Kucha and a cradle of Kucha culture as well as a key stop on the Silk Road, the area flourished economically and culturally. A pilgrimage group passed through here, and one Uyghur woman in the group died and was buried at this spot. Locals revered her tomb as the burial site of the Islamic Holy Mother, although no written records confirm this. On memorial days, devotees travel from far and wide—hundreds or even thousands of miles—to pay homage and pray devoutly, infusing the usually desolate and silent wilderness with a solemn and mysterious sense of ancient reverence.