The ancient Karez Irrigttion System is an unique irrigation system in Turpan, which is comprised of a series of wells and linking underground channels that use gravity, taking advantage of the slopes, draws the underground water to flow by itself to irrigate farmland. It consists of four parts: vertical wells, underground channels, ground canals and small reservoir.
Ancient oasis towns depended on this irrigation for survival,and if neglected or abandoned,the desert would reassert itself and the towns would dry up and die.As the glaciers gradually shrank over the centuries,the streams they fed likewise diminished,resulting in less or no water flowing to the dependent oasis towns.Many Silk Road towns,including Yotkan,the original site of Hotan,were abandoned because their life-support system had disappeared.
In Turpan,there are more than 470 systems,totally over 1600 kilometers of tunnels.The Karez channels of Turpan and Hami have a history of more than 2,000 years.
Emin Minaret
Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) is located in 2 kilometers east of Turpan city.The minaret is the most important and impressive Islamic architecture in Xinjiang.The construction started in 1777 by Suleman,a son of the then Turpan ruler,Emin Khoja,who was honored in safeguarding the unification of the country, with the title of prince by the Qing Court.And it was completed in 1778.The circular tower is 37 meters highand 10 meters in diameter at the base,looking like a giant vase seen from far away.Inside there is a spiral-shape stairs up to the top.The adjoining mosque has a high arched door and a domed sacred area,where Muslims pray.
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