Beiting Ancient City

Historical Overview

• 640 CE: Established by Emperor Taizong to consolidate Tang control over the Western Regions.
• 7th–8th Centuries: Flourished as a cosmopolitan center, housing Uyghur, Sogdian, and Han Chinese communities.
• 790 CE: Destroyed during a Tibetan invasion, marking the end of Tang dominance in the region.
• 1907: Rediscovered by Japanese explorer Ōtani Kōzui, who documented its ruins.
• 1980s: Systematic excavations revealed murals, coins, and documents in multiple languages.
• 2018: Added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for its Silk Road significance.

Structural Layout
The city follows a rectangular grid plan with three main zones:

1. Administrative Core:
   • Protectorate Office: Foundation of the governor’s compound, with remnants of ceremonial halls.
   • Temple of the City God: Ruins of a Buddhist-Taoist temple complex.
2. Residential Quarter:
   • Han Chinese District: Grid-patterned streets with courtyard houses and wells.
   • Sogdian Merchant Zone: Workshop foundations for glassware and metalwork.
3. Defensive System:
   • Earthen Ramparts: 10-meter-thick walls reinforced with wooden beams.
   • Watchtowers: Corner towers with arrow slits, surviving up to 8 meters tall.

Major Attractions

1. Great Buddhist Temple: A 50-meter-wide foundation with fragmentary murals of Bodhisattvas.
2. Tang Dynasty Pagoda: An octagonal brick stupa dating to the 7th century.
3. Sogdian Fire Temple: Ruins of a Zoroastrian shrine with ash pits and ritual vessels.
4. City God’s Mural Hall: Reconstructed murals depicting Tang officials and Central Asian caravans.
5. Silk Road Coin Hoard: Display of 1,000+ Tang and Abbasid coins unearthed in 2002.
6. Earthen Fortress Walls: Climbable sections offering views of the surrounding desert.

Suggested Itineraries

1. Classic Route (2–3 hours):
   Entrance → Administrative Core → Temple of the City God → Han Chinese District → Exit.
   Highlights: Tang governance and religious sites.

2. Archaeology Route (4–5 hours):
   Entrance → Sogdian Merchant Zone → Great Buddhist Temple → Silk Road Coin Hoard → Watchtowers → Exit.
   Highlights: Trade history and excavation finds.

3. Cultural Immersion (Full Day):
   Entrance → All zones above + Tang Dynasty Pagoda → Mural Hall → Evening Lecture (seasonal) → Overnight in Jimsar County.
   Highlights: In-depth historical context and stargazing.

Ticket Purchase

• Online: Book via Ctrip or the official Xinjiang Cultural Relics Bureau website.
• On-Site: Tickets at the entrance (¥50 adults, ¥25 students; includes basic entry).
• Packages:
  • "Archaeology Tour": ¥80 (includes guided excavation site visit).
  • Guided Tour: ¥150/group (includes Uyghur-Chinese bilingual guide).
• Free: Children under 1.2m, disabled visitors, and journalists.

Transportation

• By Car: Self-drive from Urumqi via G216 Highway (160 km, 2.5 hours).
• By Bus: Take the Urumqi–Jimsar County bus (¥40, 2 hours) → transfer to a taxi (¥20, 20 minutes).
• By Taxi: Direct ride from Urumqi Airport (¥500, 3 hours).
• Local Transport: Electric carts (¥20/hour) within the site.

Best Time & Tips

• Peak Season: April–October (mild weather, outdoor exhibits open).
• Avoid Crowds: Visit early (10 AM opening) or late afternoon (4–6 PM).
• Essentials:
  • Sunscreen, hat, and sturdy shoes (uneven terrain).
  • Binoculars for distant mural details.
  • Cash for on-site purchases (limited card facilities).
• Prohibited: Drones, climbing unmarked ruins, and touching murals.