"Gao" in a very long period of time, once the name of Turfan, was built in the first century BC, when the Central Plains ruling power in the hands of time when the regime fell in the Western Han Dynasty. At that time, the rulers of the Western Han Dynasty for control of trade on the Silk Road, there was widespread to the west Kaijiangtuotu to Turpan sent Mita's soldiers, because "the terrain Gochang people Shu prosperous," while the name "Gao."

In the Silk Road, so that the Old City is a next one, cross river, Loulan, Kucha, Yutian, Schuler can be Gaochang happens at the traffic arteries on the ancient Silk Road in Dunhuang is the Taklimakan Desert is divided into North and South 2 Road, while the North where they have been divided into north and south of Tianshan Mountain Road, South Road, through the present Korla, Kuqa, Kashgar to the West; North by Yining, Yili finally go to the Caspian Sea.

Came from Xi'an to the west, along the way have seen far too many "modern" made of historic monuments, Xian Ming city wall, bell tower, Lanzhou, Baita Mountain, Jiayuguan tower, feeling is not always taste. Artificial artificial, "historic" has become the only modern body, lost soul attachment, bright lights at night put them a more erosion corrosion. This is why we look at the Ancient City of Gaochang to go to the most important reason.

It is said that yeast Wentai Gaochang Kingdom of the most flourishing period was the most brilliant period, Xuanzang master "Tang Western Regions" in there, he passed through Gao country when he was king of yeast Wentai Gaochang to retain in this month's account. Gaochang the country at the time the city Buddhist Master Hsuan Chuang Gao Wang is intended to retain its subjects preaching argument. Soon after, however, has been preaching Master Xuan Zang of this argument was Taizong of Gaochang kingdom eliminate, annexed into the territory of the Tang Dynasty, Tang Dynasty set up here, "Gao-gun." Gaochang from Buddhist kingdom ceased to exist until the mid-9th century, the Central Plains of the dynasty after a succession of regime change after the Uighur came here and established Gaochang Uighur Kingdom and renamed the "fire the state." Huoyanshan ever since Uighur name - "kyzyl Er Tage Mountain", which means that Red Mountain is also!

Ancient City of Gaochang in Turpan city, about 40 km to the east along the east Huoyanshan about 1 hour you can walk to the road to the north Flaming Mountains, the south is the vast Gobi, large and small can be seen on both sides of the hole, that is, the prestigious Desert irrigation systems - Karez. To see them for free Karez, to come here can be had, but our heart is not here, look up the long-Ancient City of Gaochang, just not far ahead of us.

To the saw using loess rammed into the walls, surrounded a group of Uighur children dressed Rounds, hands shaking a string of bells, the action a bit like a shaman is like calling back the soul, with our not understand the Chinese language I do not know to We Jiliguala What! Guide to coax scattered them in his mouth while shouted: "come out before you buy, then sell out." I suddenly realized that they are selling to us Camel呀!

Ride a donkey cart to the city's Buddhist temples outside the city so Gao sites to see, where there is Master Xuanzang statement in this year's preaching station. Donkeys pulling carts on the road side, side Karma Karma Gua Gua cried, I heard the donkey his life for the first time the calls, sounds like asthma patients in the same struggling groan. I am reminded of a childhood a children's song "little donkey", a time children's songs brought back my childhood Willful. Happens this time, the Uyghur brothers drove a donkey cart, but it puts the Uygur minor, my heart instantly back to the Ancient City of Gaochang. Shaking of the donkey cart, driving Uygur small group with minor, I came to Xinjiang, went to many years of traveling the land of dreams.

Although the buildings along the ancient city has been not a prototype, but it looks like faintly discernible, beacon towers, Khan Fort walls, are based on method of rammed earth caused by dry weather is the Turpan Basin, the climate protection of these buildings. Ancient City of Gaochang 200 million square meters, is currently the Western Region's largest gucheng retained sites, we travel just a small part. Master Xuan Zang where the year preaching to the guides cited us to take a look at Langdon Warner left over after the removal of Buddha shrines, and then cursed some. Ever since Islam was introduced into China after Buddhism in northwest China, no place, and Muslims to become the masters of Muslims not only did not worship Buddha, but also opposed to idol worship, and also destroyed statues and monuments here, Langdon Warner came here, the statue has been in disrepair, with his sharp eyes of archaeologists, local people will naturally be removed by destruction of these monuments. Master Xuan Zang preaching in Taiwan Department, also see carved wall Vivian Balakrishnan, is not the kind of artistic carved wall. I do not understand Vivian Balakrishnan, but most, such as "this one visit" or "Allah is great" or similar words. Today, the people of this, 100 years ago, needless to say.

From the subtle point of view, Gao and therefore there is local destruction of the city of regret, but if you across the whole city of Gao, then another something funny. Distant Huoyanshan, with gucheng exist side by side, in this desolate land, hidden brilliant passing away, but the most precious thing is it genuine, no heavy make-up, no affectation, Tanzania expansive land stands in the Silk Road trail above.

Pen in: Urumqi Food Building
Author: tanpei