Jiaohe meaning the confluence of two rivers once stood an ancient city since the Han dynasty, nearly two thousand years ago. It ended during Ming dynasty about 500 years ago. It started out as a garrison, but was built up by during the Reign of Gaochang into a major city in the Turfan region from 499-640 A.D.
The Jiaohe Ruins became a tourist site after it was designated by the United Nations as world cultural relics. Unfortunately this might spell the rapid demise of the site. The flood of tourism can be more destructive than natural disaster.
Being excessively hot it was not advisable to tour the site on foot. Donkey carts sitting 8 persons each were provided to ferry visitors to different points of interest, for an inexpensive fee. We enjoyed that thoroughly.
