Astana Tombs

　　 The Astana Tombs are situated approximately 40 kilometers from Turpan City. They functioned as a shared burial ground for the urban and rural populace of the ancient Gaochang Kingdom, stretching 5 kilometers from east to west and 2 kilometers from north to south. The tombs were divided by family clans and social status, with natural gravel serving as clear boundaries between sections.

　　 The tombs at Astana feature sloped entry passages leading to cave-like burial chambers. The overall layout resembles the Chinese character “甲” (jiǎ). In front of each chamber lies a sloped passage over 10 meters long, which connects to the burial room — the final resting place of the deceased. These chambers typically stand over 2 meters high and measure around 4 meters square, with either flat or domed ceilings. The dead were usually laid to rest on earthen kang beds or simple wooden platforms at the rear of the chamber. They rested their heads on “cock-crow pillows,” had their faces covered with cloth, eyes sealed with “eye covers,” and hands clasping wooden objects. Their bodies were dressed in garments made of cotton, linen, silk, or brocade. Surrounding the remains, one might find miniature models of pavilions, towers, carriages, horse processions, musical instruments, chess sets, brushes, and inkstones, or food items such as grapes, melons, dumplings, and flatbreads — all intended for the deceased’s use or enjoyment in the afterlife. Some tomb walls are adorned with vivid murals depicting figures, birds, flowers, and landscapes, rendered with fluid lines and lifelike detail. Over ten thousand precious artifacts have been excavated from these ancient tombs, including documents, epitaphs, paintings, clay figurines, pottery, wood, metal, stone objects, ancient coins, as well as silk, cotton, and wool textiles. Among the most remarkable finds are the well-preserved mummies — China’s version of mummies — which rival those of Egypt in fame and significance.

　　 The Astana Tombs primarily inter Han Chinese, but also include people from various ethnic minorities such as the Cheshi, Turkic, Xiongnu, Gaoche, and the Nine Surnames of Zhaowu, reflecting the fact that the Han Chinese were the dominant ethnic group in the Gaochang Kingdom and that there was relative equality among different peoples at the time.