Abakh Khoja Tomb

Being a typical Islamic ancient building complex, Abakh Khoja Tomb together with tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is located in Haohan village. It was first built in 1640 or so. It is said that altogether 72 people of five generations are buried there, among whom is Apahuojia. He is a famous Islamic master of the "Yichan Sect" (an Islamic religious group) in Kashi from the late Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty. Apahuojia is the second generation of people in the tomb. He once got the heredity right of the Yeerqiang Dynasty and became the Islamic chief of "Yichan Sect" (an Islamic religious group) in 17th century. His fame and prestige far exceeded his father's who was a missionary master.

Resembling an imposing and luxuriant palace, the tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is 40 meters high and composed of five parts namely arch over the gateway, small mosque, big mosque, religious scripture preaching hall and host coffin chamber. There is an exquisite gallery on a curved dome roof on the top of which locates a gold crescent, solemnly glittering and creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. In the broad and spacious hall of the tomb, is a platform of half-person high.

On this platform, there are 58 graves in proper order for 72 people of five generations in Xiang imperial concubine's family. Xiang's grave is set up in the northeast corner of this platform, in front of which her name is written both in Chinese and Uigur. Grave mounds are all wrapped up with blue glass bricks. They are covered by cloth with various patterns and figures. This expresses honor to the dead and meanwhile protects graves. On the left of the grave are built big and small Islamic mosques which are delicate. Behind the tomb, there is a large sheet of the grave, with a very grand sight.

Emperor Qianlong's beloved Xiang imperial concubine, originally called Maimure Aizimu is famous in the Qing Dynasty. Her body had a special fragrance when she was still young. So she is called "Yipaerhan" ("a fragrant girl" in Uigur). She was chosen to be the imperial concubine by the emperor in the Qing dynasty and was bestowed the title of "Xiang (fragrant) Imperial Concubine".

She finally died of discomfort caused by the natural environment and climate in the capital city. According to popular sayings the Qing emperor ordered, 124 people to lift up the coffin for her. It takes 3 years to bring her corpse back home to be buried there. But today's research shows that her tomb is just in Qingong Tomb in Hebei. Xiang imperial concubine grave is just her tomb containing some personal clothes and other wearing.

Apahuojia grave which has experienced more than three hundred years of trials and hardships, unyieldingly and firmly sticks to its own unsophisticated architectural style. Among visitors coming here, some want to feel the mystery of Xiang imperial concubine, some for worship but most come to appreciate the excellent architectural technology and artistic style of Apahuojia grave.

The Tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is a popular name for the grave of the Apahuojia clan. It is a typical Islamic grave building of palace style. 72 tombs of the same clan with glass tile cover of white background dotted with orchids are here. The first generation is Islamic missionary Aji Maihemaiti.Yusufuhuojia. After his death, his eldest son Apahuojia takes over his mantle and continues doing missionary work. He once won the hereditary regime of the Yeerqiang dynasty and governed Kashgar, Yeerqiang (now Shache), Hetian City, Akesu, Kuche, and Turfan during his peak period. He accepted the title of "governor of the world" and became the Islamic chief of the Baishan (white hill) sect in the 17th century. After his death, the grave is renamed Apahuojia grave. Xiang imperial concubine is his granddaughter.

Emperor Qianlong's Xiang imperial concubine is called Rong imperial concubine, whose original name is Yipaerhan. It is said that her body has a rich fragrance of olive flowers therefore she is called so. According to the legend, Xiang died of depression. After her death, Emperor Qianlong orders 66,666 people to attend her funeral team. The coffin was being lifted and sent back to hometown, which is not allowed to fall to the ground. When the coffin arrived in Kashi there were only six people left.

This certainly is only a legend. According to the records she has lived in the palace for 28 years, died at 53 and then is buried in Yu imperial concubine garden of Qingdong tomb in Hebei. The legend tells that Xiang imperial concubine's elder brother has spent 3 years and a half carrying her things from Beijing and burying them in the northeast corner of this mausoleum hall. Thus in the tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is only her clothes and another wearing.

Mausoleum includes five parts namely arch over the gateway, a big mosque, a small mosque, a religious scripture preaching hall and a host coffin chamber. The arch over the gateway at the main door is gorgeous, with grand brick columns and door wall on both sides, whose surface is covered with glass brick of blue background dotted with white flowers. Closely beside the western wall of the arch over the gateway is a small mosque, which has a platform with a color-drawing-covered ceiling and a room for praying at the back. In the west lies a big mosque. In the north is a religious scripture preaching hall with a dome. The host coffin chamber is in the east, which is the main body of the entire architectural complex. The host grave has a circular roof with a diameter amounting to 17 meters without any beams or columns to support it. The outside is covered with green glazed brick wainscot mingled with yellow or blue ceramic tiles having various drawings and decorative patterns. This makes it appear especially beautiful, imposing and solemn. A platform of half-person high stands in the coffin chamber, on which are about ten graves in different sizes covered with a glazed brick of white background dotted with blue flowers seeming simple but elegant.

Location

It is located in Haohan village in suburb, 5 kilometers away to the northeast of Kashgar

How to Get There?

Take a taxi in the downtown area; 20 yuan is needed for a round trip.

• Ticket Price: CNY 15

• Opening Hours: 08:50 - 20:00