Astana Cemetery

Welcome to the Astana Cemetery, often described by archaeologists as the 'Underground Museum' of the Turpan Basin. Located on the edge of the Gobi Desert, near the ancient city of Gaochang, this vast necropolis served as the…

Standing at the entrance to the cemetery, you are surrounded by the stark, beautiful landscape of the Turpan Basin. The Flaming Mountains rise in the distance, their red slopes shimmering in the heat. …

Descending into the cool, dark interior of one of the decorated tombs, your eyes will adjust to reveal vibrant colors on the walls. One of the most significant discoveries here is the painting of Fuxi and Nuwa, the mythological…

In this section, we encounter the most striking aspect of Astana: the naturally preserved bodies of the deceased. Unlike Egyptian mummies, which were chemically treated, the bodies found here were preserved through natural…

One of the most important aspects of the Astana finds is the large quantity of paper documents and silk scrolls. In the dry environment, these fragile materials have survived perfectly. …

Buried alongside the residents of Astana were numerous objects meant for use in the afterlife. These include miniature pottery figures of servants, musicians, and animals, as well as wooden tools and even actual food offerings. …

We conclude our exploration at the spirit path, or 'shendao,' which would have led to the more prominent tombs of high-ranking officials. Like the spirit ways of imperial China, these paths were often lined with stone or clay…

As we leave the Astana Cemetery and return to the sun-drenched vineyards and vibrant markets of modern Turpan, take a moment to reflect on the silent testimony of the ancestors we have encountered. This 'Underground Museum' has…