The Ruins of the Ancient City of Yemili

The Ruins of the Ancient City of Yemili

The ruins of the ancient city of Yemili are a cultural tourism attraction.

The Ruins of the Ancient City of Yemili

The Ruins of the Ancient City of Yemili The ruins of the ancient city of Yemili are located in Gesheng Village, Yemule Pasture, Emin County, approximately 14 kilometers north of Emin County, and date back over 780 years. According to the "History of Yuan," it is recorded that: "After the Great Khan returned eastward, he allocated lands to his sons." This refers to after Genghis Khan's Western Expedition (1219–1224 AD), when he divided the conquered territories among his four sons. Among them, "the land by the Yemili River was granted to his third son, Ogedei." Historically known as the Ogedei Khanate, its capital was established in Emin, governing areas that included present-day Tacheng Region, Altay Region, and western Mongolia. Ogedei once led his troops to build structures and erect high walls on the southern bank of the Yemili River (Emin River), constructing a square-shaped capital city named "Yemili City," also called "Dulubujin City." As Ogedei’s rule became more consolidated, Yemili City flourished increasingly. By 1227 AD, after the death of Genghis Khan and Ogedei’s ascension to the Mongol throne, he continued the unfinished campaigns of external conquest initiated by Genghis Khan. To support the needs of continuous warfare, he ordered the establishment of relay stations, the opening of roads, and the construction of warehouses for grain storage. Due to temporary political unity and improved transportation, commerce developed rapidly. During this period, Yemili City experienced unprecedented prosperity. In 1306 AD, after the grandson of Ogedei Khan, Khaidu, failed in his bid for the imperial throne against Kublai Khan, his territory was incorporated into the Chagatai Khanate (the fiefdom of Chagatai, Genghis Khan’s second son). The capital of the Ogedei Khanate — "Yemili City" — was destroyed in the battles of this power struggle, leaving behind the ruins of an ancient city as a testament to this history.

The ancient city ruins stretch 2,000 meters in length and 1,800 meters in width, covering an area of approximately 3,600,000 square meters. The ruins stand 3–4 meters above the surrounding plain. The Emin River flows not far from the northwest side of the ruins. The terrain is open and the water supply is abundant. To the southeast lies the Urkhashar Mountain.