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Shanshan Ancient City鄯善古城
Shanshan Ancient City sits on the eastern edge of the Turpan Basin as a major post town of the ancient Silk Road. It was the political center of the Jushi Kingdom and a key stronghold of the Han-dynasty Protectorate of the Western Regions. The ruins preserve city walls, temples and tombs, and the site was an outpost tied to the Loulan kingdom — the Flaming Mountains and Kumtag Desert stand nearby.
Urumqi · Visitor Guide2026-10-19
Quick Answer
Is Shanshan Ancient City worth visiting?
An ancient Silk Road town of the Jushi Kingdom near Turpan, founded around the 1st century BC; 60 yuan entry (120 yuan combo with Kumtag Desert), open 8:30-18:30.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Ancient city ruins ¥60; combo ticket with Tuyoq Gorge and Kumtag Desert ¥120 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 8:30-18:30 (until 19:00 in summer) |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-June and September-November |
| How to get there | High-speed rail from Urumqi to Shanshan North station; by car take the G30 Lianhuo expressway to the Shanshan exit |
| English signage | Partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Historic status | Key town on the ancient Silk Road |
| Formerly part of | The Jushi Kingdom |
| Founded | Western Han dynasty (around the 1st century BC) |
| Site type | City walls, temples and tombs |
| Nearby sights | Flaming Mountains, Kumtag Desert |
| Distance from Turpan | About 90 km |
What to expect
Shanshan Ancient City has a long history as a key node on the northern route of the Silk Road. As early as the Western Han dynasty it was Jushi Kingdom territory, and Zhang Qian passed through here on his mission to the Western Regions. The Han court posted the Wuji Xiaowei garrison here to guard Silk Road traffic, and in the Wei-Jin and Northern-Southern dynasties period the Shanshan state took shape in this area as one of the small Western Regions kingdoms.
The ruins lie east of today's Shanshan county town, split into an inner and an outer city. The walls are of rammed yellow earth and some sections still stand 3-5 m high. Finds inside include Han wuzhu coins, Tang kaiyuan tongbao coins, Tang murals and Buddhist statuary — evidence of a once-thriving trading city.
Tuyoq Gorge near Shanshan is Xinjiang's oldest Islamic village, with over 1,700 years of history. Its old Uyghur way of life survives, and the mosque and mazar (saints' tombs) are important historic relics. The Kumtag Desert is also close by — the only desert in the world that abuts a city.
How to get there
High-speed rail from Urumqi to Shanshan North (about 1.5 hours), then a roughly 20-yuan taxi ride to the ancient city. By car, take the G30 Lianhuo expressway to the Shanshan exit.
Best photo spots
- The ancient city wall ruins
- Panoramic views over the old city
- Tuyoq Gorge village
- Where the Kumtag Desert meets the town
Tips
- Shanshan summers are scorching — take heat precautions if visiting May-September
- The site is extensive; hiring a guide is worthwhile
- It pairs well with the Flaming Mountains and Kumtag Desert in a single day trip
- Nearby lodging is basic — consider returning to Turpan for the night
Scams to avoid
- No notable scam risks
Frequently asked questions
Are Shanshan Ancient City and Loulan Ancient City the same place?
No. Shanshan Ancient City is in present-day Shanshan county, while Loulan is in Ruoqiang county, far away.
What can you still see at the ancient city?
Mainly the ancient city wall and traces of some temples; most excavated artifacts are displayed in the Xinjiang Museum.
Can you do a day trip from Urumqi?
Yes — the high-speed rail makes it easy, though an overnight in Shanshan or Turpan leaves more time.
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Alpine lake at 1,980 m in the Tianshan Mountains, 110 km from Urumqi. Kazakh yurt stays. ¥125 entry. Half-day boat or full-day hike. Best June–September.
Heavenly Lake of Tianshan
Alpine moraine lake at 1,980 m on the north slope of Bogda Peak (5,445 m), 110 km east of Urumqi. Plan a full day — 2 hours each way by road plus 4–6 hours at the lake; entry is ¥125 plus a mand.
Tian Shan Tian Chi (Heavenly Mountain Heavenly Lake)
An alpine lake in the Tian Shan at 1,980 m, covering 4.9 sq km with depths to 105 m. Admission CNY 155 with shuttle; about 120 km from Urumqi. Best May-October; allow 4-6 hours.
Southern Mountain Scenic Area
Natural pasture area about 40 km from Urumqi at 2000-3000 m elevation; entry 45 yuan with sights ticketed separately, 10 degrees cooler than the city in summer, open 9:00-19:00.
Taklamakan Desert Edge
China's largest desert and the world's second-largest shifting-sand sea — 330,000 sq km crossed by the 522 km Desert Highway. Highs hit 67°C in summer; September-November is best. Allow 2-3 days.
Xinjiang Grand Bazaar
One of the world's largest bazaars, opened in 2003 in Urumqi with 3000+ shops and about 100,000 visitors a day; free entry, shops 10:30-23:00, 100-metre Silk Road tower.
Xinjiang Museum
Xinjiang's largest comprehensive museum, with more than 50,000 artifacts telling the story of the region's history and Silk Road civilizations.
Xinjiang Regional Museum
The Xinjiang Regional Museum in Urumqi holds the 3,800-year-old Tarim mummies — the Beauty of Loulan and the Beauty of Xiaohe — alongside Silk Road textiles, Tang silk, Persian glass, and Uyghur.
Museums in Urumqi
Xinjiang Regional Museum
China's westernmost major museum — the definitive collection of Silk Road Buddhist art, Uyghur culture, and the ancient Kucha and Khotan kingdom archaeology. Free; 2–3 hours.
Xinjiang Silk Road Museum
Silk Road crossroads: Tarim mummies (3,800-year-old Caucasoid bodies preserved in desert sand), Sogdian letters, Buddhist cave art, and Uyghur textiles — all in central Urumqi. Free.