The Ancient City of Qiemo

The Ancient City of Qiemo

The Ancient City of Qiemo is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Ancient City of Qiemo

Located on the terrace along the old Qarqan River, about 6 kilometers southwest of Qiemo County at an altitude of 1,273 meters, the site has no vegetation on the surface, has been desertified, and features Yardang landforms. Within an area approximately 1 kilometer long from east to west and 200 meters wide from north to south, the surface is scattered with numerous pottery fragments, iron pieces, and iron smelting slag. Several stone mill fragments, glass shards, and glass beads have been collected. In addition, in the wind-eroded surface area of the central part of the site, the remains of several houses and other building foundations can still be seen. In September 1985, ancient woolen textiles, ancient human remains, bone-filled tombs spread across the ground, as well as pottery fragments and bows and arrows were excavated, proving that this was a settlement and garrison city site of Han Dynasty troops. The original city walls had all collapsed due to floods, but remnants of the surrounding protective moat can still be found. Preliminary studies suggest it dates back to the Song and Yuan dynasties. It is known locally as “Qarqan Kona Xähär,” which in Uyghur means: the Ancient City of Qiemo.