[Xinjiang] Abakh Hoja Tomb

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Abakh Hoja Tomb, commonly known among the Chinese as the Tomb of Xiangfei, is the most magnificent tomb in Kashi, filled with history and symbolism. It served as the family tomb of Abakh Hoja, the powerful ruler of Kashi in the 17th century.



Located five kilometers northeast of Kashi, the tomb is an important cultural treasure protected by the Autonomous Region. Built around 1640, it is said that 72 persons of five generations of Abakh Hoja’s relatives and descendents were buried in the tomb. The first generation buried here was Yusuf Hoja, a celebrated Muslim missionary. His eldest son, Abakh Hoja, grew to head the famous Islamic faction of Baishan, which seized the power of the Yarkant Court for a time. Abakh Hoja died in 1693 and was buried with his father in the tomb. His reputation exceeded that of his father's, so the tomb was renamed the ‘Abak Hoja Tomb’.



The tomb is composed of a group of beautiful and magnificent buildings in a complex with a pond and an orchard. In addition to the Tomb Hall, there is the Doctrine-Teaching Hall, the Great Hall of Prayer and the gate tower. The Tomb Hall holds a dome of 17 meters in diameter and is 26 meters high and 39 meters long at the base. Its south side is covered with green glazed tile. The hall is vast, spacious and columnless. There is a high terrace on which the tombs of glazed brick are arranged. They are patterned with blue flowers on a white background—glittering, simple and elegant. The Great Hall of Prayer can be found in the western part of the tomb. Known as Ayitijiayi, Muslim services are conducted here on important days. The Lesser Hall of Prayer and the gate tower are outer buildings decorated with colorful paintings and elegant brick carvings. Outside, the pond is lined with tall trees, making the place pleasantly quiet and beautiful.



There is a legend, that among the Hoja descendants buried in the tomb, was a woman by the name of Yiparhan. She was one of the concubines of the Qing Dynasty Emperor Qianlong, known to the court as Xiangfei (Fragrant Imperial Concubine) because of the delicate fragrance of flowers she emitted. After her death, her remains were escorted back to Kashi by her sister-in-law Sudexiang and buried in the Apak Hoja Tomb. For this reason, some people call the tomb "the Tomb of Xiangfei". But according to textual research, Xiangfei was the same person as Rongfei, a concubine of Emperor Qianlong who was buried in the Qing court’s East Tombs in Zunhua County of Hebei Province.



How to get there: The Abakh Hoja Tomb is located five kilometers northeast of the city. It's best to go by bicycle or hire a taxi. If going by bicycle, go northeast past the Sunday Market area for about 30 to 40 minutes, then turn at the sign pointing towards the tomb.

Opening Hours: 8:00am-5:30pm

Cost: RMB 15

空谷幽兰

Beautiful architectures!