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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

ChinaTravelXinjiang

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan – Uyghur Islamic Architecture

by kumamonjeng July 26, 2018
written by kumamonjeng July 26, 2018
Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan – Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Turpan in Xinjiang is one of the important cities for Ancient Silk Road. Luckily it is still able to preserve several monuments of ancient Uyghur architecture. Emin Minaret is just one of them.  We were here in the morning and luckily the crowd was not too bad yet.

Also known as  (Su Gong Ta / 苏公塔)

Emin Minaret is the highest tower in Xinjiang, built in 1777 and completed in a year time. It was built in honor of a local Turpan General, Emin Khoja. Hence it is called Emin Minaret.  In Chinese it is called (Su Gong Ta / 苏公塔). ‘Ta’ mean Tower in Chinese.  Actually, Emin Minaret was built by Sulaiman, son of Emin Khoja.

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Minaret Structure

This is a very good example of an Islamic architecture, similar to Qutub Minar Delhi, Minaret in India.  Emin Minaret in Turpan is 37 m high, the body of the tower is cylindroid in shape, built with bricks arranged in different symmetrical floral pattern. Look carefully at these pattern, you will realize the unique mixture of Chinese and Islamic features at these print on the minaret.

In total, there are 14 windows to provide lights and ventilation and a spiral stairs inside which brings you to the top. However, it is no longer open to tourists to climb up to the top now.

Uyghur Muslim Mosque

Next to the Minaret, there is a nice looking mosque – Uyghur Muslim Mosque. Uygur is one of the biggest ethnic group in Xinjiang, they are Muslims and regard themselves as culturally close to Central Asian nation. To me, Uygur people look very similar to Turkish.

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Simple Interior

Inside the Uygur mosque, you will find rough wooden piles were used. Floor is decorated with colorful carpets to enable the Uygur Muslim to pray at the floor on Friday.

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Stele with inscriptions in Uyghur and Chinese

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Souvenir Stalls 

Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan - Uyghur Islamic Architecture

Final Thoughts :

The Emin Minaret is a blending Uyghur architecture and history with Islamic traditions. The tower is made of wood, mud and brick and also the tallest minaret in Xinjiang. I find it interesting to see the mixture of Chinese and Islamic architecture in China. Plenty of photo opportunities from all angles.

You may like : 

  • Turpan Flaming Mountain – Journey to the West 西游记火焰山
  • Silk Road China : My Bullet Train Experience to Turpan Xinjiang
  • Karez Well
  • Jiaohe Ruins
  • Turpan Grapes Valley
  • Where to stay – Maxirap le Grand Large Hotel at Turpan

 

 

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Ancient Silk RoadChan brothers tourEmin MineratEmin TowerSilk Road ChinaTurpanUyghur architectureUygur mosqueUygur Muslim Mosque.Visit China
previous post
Journey to the West : Flaming Mountains in Turpan Xinjiang 西游记火焰山
next post
Silk Road China Xinjiang : Karez Well at Turpan – 2000 Years Old Water System

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33 comments

theworldthroughascholz July 26, 2018 - 8:57 pm

This is beautiful and I love learning all the facts about it too.

Reply
kumamonjeng July 27, 2018 - 6:29 am

Dear Kourtnie,
Really lovely to see Emin Minarets which shows sign of presence of Islam in the architecture. The minaret is the most distinctive feature of the mosque!

Reply
Christa Anne July 27, 2018 - 2:13 am

Absolutely stunning! One day I’d love to travel the Silk Road. It’s so full of beauty and history.

Reply
kumamonjeng July 27, 2018 - 6:23 am

Dear Christa,

This ancient network of trade routes which connected the east and west certainly worth a visit to see the cultural interaction between the regions for many hundred of years.

Reply
Mama in Heels July 27, 2018 - 2:55 am

Thanks for sharing. I would have love to see pictures of the Uygur people!

Reply
kumamonjeng July 27, 2018 - 6:21 am

Dear Mamainheels,
Thanks for your comment. Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group similar to Central Eurasia. There are one of the largest ethnic groups in Xinjiang China. They have very sharp features and very outstanding look.

Reply
scrapbookadventures365 July 27, 2018 - 12:01 pm

Wow what an incredible place to visit! Great pics, thanks for sharing.

Reply
Preet July 27, 2018 - 12:54 pm

I never really thought about going to China before, it looks beautiful though. May need to add it to my want to do list.

Reply
Deserted_Queen July 27, 2018 - 5:12 pm

I love to see pictures of ancient places. This is so lovely. Moreover I also would love to see the pictures of uyghur people as they are different.

Reply
Daisy July 27, 2018 - 5:30 pm

This looks like such a fascinating and truly beautiful place to visit! I am intrigued by your beautiful photographs!

Reply
keisha1989 July 27, 2018 - 7:40 pm

Thanks for sharing details of your trip with us. I am really interested in visiting China one day and this place will definitely be on my list.

Reply
GiGi Eats Celebrities July 27, 2018 - 7:56 pm

So friggin’ cool and such a culture shock! I want to go so badly!

Reply
BasicallyTesha July 27, 2018 - 10:43 pm

This trip looked so extremely fun. Loved the pictures.

Reply
Jojo Hua July 28, 2018 - 1:45 am

This looks so beautiful and totally Instagrammable! Pinning this to my travel bucket list!

Reply
Aseky Bonnaire July 28, 2018 - 2:58 am

How beautiful!! I’d absolutely love to travel there one day! Probably when my kiddos are a little older, so they can appreciate it!

Reply
Sara Welch July 28, 2018 - 3:55 am

Wow, what an awesome place to go and visit! I bet you had a real blast!

Reply
Vanessa Delia July 28, 2018 - 3:56 am

Now that is the place to be! I would really enjoy something like this!

Reply
Lyosha Varezhkina (@lyoshathegirl) July 28, 2018 - 2:30 pm

Coming from Muslim family I love islamic architecture, it still makes me feel it as the most balanced and beautiful building I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing this new part of your adventures, I am always thrilled to read your reports.

Reply
AlwaysCarryOn.com July 29, 2018 - 10:25 am

What an incredible site to visit! I would love to go here – unfortunately I’ve not had the opportunity yet, but fingers crossed one day soon x

Reply
Elizabeth O July 30, 2018 - 9:50 am

This place looks so full of great architecture and culture. I bet it was so amazing to experience first hand!

Reply
kumamonjeng July 31, 2018 - 5:38 am

Dear Elizabeth,

To be able to see the Muslim Uyghur architecture in the land of China is pretty strange feeling 🙂

Reply
Susan Peck August 3, 2018 - 5:39 pm

What an interesting blend of two distinct cultures and styles. I always enjoy reading your posts because you share so many things that fly under the radar for Westerners – thank you for sharing these treasures!

Reply
kumamonjeng August 4, 2018 - 1:27 pm

Dear Susan,
Thank you for your beautiful comment. I am glad you enjoy my post 🙂

Reply
NafisahNK August 3, 2018 - 6:25 pm

I can’t believe that tower is so old, yet it still stands strong. Lovely photos as usual. Good tip on going in the morning to avoid crowd.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 4, 2018 - 1:22 pm

Dear Nafisah,

The inner part of the Minaret is not looking good as the wooden stairs are no longer open to the public to go up due to safety issue. I guess they have done a lot of work for the outer part though 🙂

Reply
tachira wiltshire August 3, 2018 - 11:08 pm

I love the mixture of Chinese and Islamic agriculture and that a place that is so rich in history can be preserved . I also am in love with the decor it is so colorful. I am sure visiting here would be a great adventure .

Reply
kumamonjeng August 4, 2018 - 1:03 pm

Dear Tachira,

I too was quite impressed how well this place is maintained after so many years. 🙂

Reply
janna August 4, 2018 - 12:56 am

so interesting to see muslim architecture in china! I did a homestay with a family in Beijing and lived right near the Uyghur area and ate their often. such an interesting juxtaposition with traditional Chinese culture!

Reply
kumamonjeng August 4, 2018 - 12:54 pm

Dear Janna,

I heard there are some Ugyhurs community living in Beijing as street fruit seller (melon) and some as officials, some students and some work as profesional.
Glad you have encountered Uyghury’s district in Beijing and I am sure you have been exposed to their culture and custom 🙂 Pretty interesing and big contrast with the Han chinese right 🙂

Reply
Devendra August 4, 2018 - 7:02 am

It’s such a beautiful combination of Chinese and Islamic architecture. Simple and still so beautiful. I have added your Silk road trip to my bucket list.

Reply
kumamonjeng August 4, 2018 - 12:24 pm

Dear Devendra,
I guess the combination of Chinese and Islamic architecture make it special and only in Xinjiang China.

Reply
Amrita August 5, 2018 - 6:12 am

Amalgams of different cultures is so fascinating.I love visiting places which have stories too.

Reply
Chana August 6, 2018 - 5:09 am

Excellent photographs. You’ve captured the beauty of this place considering it’s very plain!

Reply

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About Me

I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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