Atlas of China
Astana Cemetery 阿斯塔那古墓群Āsītǎnà Gǔmùqún
National heritage site · Turpan, Xinjiang
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Turpan
- Region
- Xinjiang
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Astana Cemetery
Astana was the main burial ground of the people of Gaochang from about the 4th to the 8th century, laid out in family plots on the gravel plain a few kilometres from the old city. The dry climate preserved silks, paper documents, food and natural mummies in the tombs, and much of what was found is now held by the Xinjiang Museum in Ürümqi and the Turpan Museum.
How to get to Astana Cemetery
About 35 km east of central Turpan by road, near the Gaochang ruins. The cemetery is closed for conservation and building work, and the Turpan Cultural Relics Bureau announced on 29 September 2026 that the closure continues from 1 October with no reopening date.
Nearby
- Turpan & Jiaohe Ruins 吐鲁番交河故城 40 km
A 2,000-year-old city carved out of a river island, in China's hottest basin
Also within 20 km: Taizang Pagoda Ruins 台藏塔遗址 (under 10 km), Gaochang Ruins 高昌故城 (under 10 km), Flaming Mountains 火焰山 (under 10 km), Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves 柏孜克里克千佛洞 (under 10 km), Boxiha Caves 伯西哈石窟 (10 km), Tuyoq Valley 吐峪沟 (10 km).
On the map
Open Astana Cemetery on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.
Open Astana Cemetery on the map