The Ancient City of Subashi

The extensive ruins of this ancient capital of the Kingdom of Qiuci lie 20 kilometers north of Kuqa.They are divided by the Kuqa River,which in flood cuts off access to the northern section.The city dates from the fourth century and includes towers,halls,monasteries,dagobas and houses.The ruins of the large Zhaohuli Temple date from the fifth century.A recently excavated tomb revealed a corpse with a square skull,confirming Xuan Zang’s claim that in Qiuci,”the children born of common parents have their heads flattened by the pressure of a wooden board”.The city was abandoned or dwstroyed in the 12^th century.Acceess is by hired car only.