Asaqiaoturuxikurgan Castle

　　The Asaqiaoturuxikurgan Castle in Qahar Township, Cele County is situated beside the Qaha Valley. It is said to have been built 900 years ago. The ruins stretch approximately 2 kilometers in length and 1 kilometer in width. The ancient fortress was built atop a mountain, with a structure about 1,500 meters in length, 15 meters at the base, 1 meter at the top, and 12 meters in height. The city walls were constructed from pebbles and earth. A watchtower was built 2 kilometers away from the castle. The Axiaoquturuxikurgan Castle is located within Ax Village in Qahar Township. It is said to have been built in the year 1001, measuring about 200 meters in length and built of stone. In 1999, both castles were listed as key cultural relics protection units by the autonomous region.

　　"Asa" (or "Axa") is a place name, "Qiaoturuxi" refers to the name of an ancient Hotan general, and "Kurgan" means castle. According to Islamic calendar records, after 24 years of warfare, Islam triumphed over the devoutly Buddhist King of Hotan, bringing an end to Hotan’s Buddhist history.

　　The Axia and Asa Castles are located 11.4 kilometers west of Qahar Township in Cele County and 70 kilometers south of Cele County. There is a simple dirt road accessible to various types of vehicles, with an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 30 minutes.