{"id":17856,"date":"2018-07-26T12:27:50","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T12:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/?p=17856"},"modified":"2020-01-26T06:59:35","modified_gmt":"2020-01-26T06:59:35","slug":"silk-road-china-xinjiang-emin-minaret-at-turpan-uyghur-islamic-architecture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinkerten.com\/wordpress\/2018\/07\/silk-road-china-xinjiang-emin-minaret-at-turpan-uyghur-islamic-architecture\/","title":{"rendered":"Silk Road China Xinjiang : Emin Minaret at Turpan – Uyghur Islamic Architecture"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 We were here in the morning and luckily the crowd was not too bad yet.<\/p>\n

Also known as\u00a0 (Su Gong Ta \/ \u82cf\u516c\u5854)<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.\u00a0Hence it is called Emin Minaret.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>In Chinese it is called (Su Gong Ta \/ \u82cf\u516c\u5854). ‘Ta’ mean Tower in Chinese.\u00a0 Actually, Emin Minaret was built by Sulaiman, son of Emin Khoja.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

Minaret Structure<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is a very good example of an Islamic architecture, similar to Qutub Minar Delhi<\/a>, Minaret in India.\u00a0\u00a0Emin 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Uyghur\u00a0Muslim Mosque<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Next to the Minaret, there is a nice looking mosque – Uyghur\u00a0Muslim Mosque<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

Simple Interior<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

Stele with inscriptions in Uyghur and Chinese<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Silk<\/a><\/p>\n

Souvenir Stalls\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Final Thoughts :<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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