Located
5 kilometers (3.1 miles)
northeast of the city of
Kashgar, it served as
the family tomb of Abakh
Khoja, the powerful
ruler of Kashgar in the
17th century who was
revered as a prophet and
second only to Mohammed.
First built in 1640, all
five generations of the
family are buried
within. There were 72
tombs until an
earthquake destroyed
some. The first
generation buried here
was Yusuf Hoja, a
celebrated Islam
missionary. After he
died, his eldest son
Apak Hoja died in 1693,
buried here and his
reputation was greater
than his father’s, so
the tomb was renamed "Abakh
Khoja Tomb".
The different buildings
include Tomb Hall,
Doctrine-Teaching Hall
and Great Hall of
Prayer. The Tomb Hall,
with a 17-meter-
(55.8-foot) diameter
dome is covered with
glazed green tiles.
Inside the hall, tombs
decorated with beautiful
flower patterns on a
white background,
glittering, simple and
elegant are settled on a
high terrace. The legend
goes that among those, a
tomb known as the Xiang
Fei (Fragrant Concubine)
Tomb is in memory of
Abakh Khoja’s
grand-daughter, Iparhan.
She was the Fragrant
Concubine of Emperor
Qianlong of the Qing
period and was called
Xiangfei because of the
delicate fragrance sent
forth by her body. Upon
her death 120 people
spent three years
carrying her coffin back
to Kashgar and buried
here.
The Great Hall of Prayer
in the west part of the
tomb (Ayitijiayi) is the
place where the Muslim
believers conduct
service on big days. The
Lesser Hall of Prayer
and the gate tower are
outmost buildings
decorated with colorful
paintings and elegant
brick carvings.
It is the holiest place
in Xinjiang and an
architectural treasure.
During the Korban
Festival, many Muslims
form all over Xinjiang
make the pilgrimage to
the tomb. The tomb,
about 3 kilometers east
of the city, is easily
accessible by horse cart
or bicycle. |