The Kroraina River Beacon Towers

The Kroraina River Beacon Towers

The Kroraina River Beacon Towers are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Kroraina River Beacon Towers are located in the desert along the Kroraina River in Yuli County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Constructed as important military facilities along the Loulan Route of the Silk Road during the Han and Jin dynasties, they were built in the 1st century BC.

The beacon towers are situated between the ancient city of Yingpan and Korla, generally extending from Loulan along the ancient course of the Kroraina River toward Korla. Within a stretch of approximately 150 kilometers, 11 beacon tower ruins remain. From east to west, they are: Yingpan, Xingdi No. 1, Xingdi No. 2, Xingdi No. 3, Tuosituke Tuer, Tuosituke Xituer, Kaletale, Shaluwake, Saqigai, Kongji, and Kongjiyaxiakelun. The towers have been eroded to varying degrees by wind and some have collapsed, with certain structures resembling earthen mounds. Most were built using adobe bricks, while a few were constructed through rammed earth techniques.

The Kroraina River Beacon Towers are distributed along the “Loulan Route,” which forms the eastern section of the “Silk Road” in the Western Regions. To the east, they connect to the Yumen and Yang Passes, and to the west, they link with the seat of the Protectorate of the Western Regions at Wulei City. As one of the most representative military communication and traffic safety facilities, they played a crucial role in safeguarding the security of the Silk Road and the unity of the nation. They hold high research value for studying the governance of the Western Regions by central governments during the Han and Jin dynasties, as well as for understanding east-west transportation, economic exchange, and cultural interaction.

In June 2001, the Kroraina River Beacon Towers were designated as part of the fifth group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units by the State Council.

Further Reading:

· Fifth Group of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units