Kashgar Abakh Hoja Tomb,Xiangfei Mu

Abakh Hoja Tomb, commonly known among Chinese, as the Tomb of Xiangfei, a famous imperial concubine, is the most magnificent tomb in Kashi, filled with history and symbolism. It served as the family tomb of Abakh Hoja, the powerful ruler of Kashi in the 17th century.

Located five kilometers northeast of Kashi, the tomb is an important cultural treasure protected by the Autonomous Region. Built around 1640, it is said that 72 people from five generations of Abakh Hojas relatives and descendents were buried in the tomb. The first generation buried here was Yusuf Hoja, a celebrated Muslim missionary. His eldest son, Abakh Hoja, grew to head the famous Islamic faction of Baishan, which seized power at the Yarkant Court for a time. Abakh Hoja died in 1693 and was buried with his father in the tomb. As his reputation exceeded that of his father’s, so the tomb was renamed the Abak Hoja Tomb. The tomb is composed of a group of beautiful and magnificent buildings in a complex with a pond and an orchard. In addition to the Tomb Hall, there is the Doctrine-Teaching Hall, the Great Hall of Prayer and the gate tower. The Tomb Hall supports a dome of 17 meters in diameter, 26 meters high and 39 meters long at the base. Its south side is covered with green glazed tile. The hall is spacious and columnless, containing a high terrace on which the tombs of glazed brick are arranged. They are patterned with blue flowers on a white backgroundglittering, simple and elegant. The Great Hall of Prayer is in the western part of the tomb. Known as Ayitijiayi, Muslim services are conducted here on important days. The Lesser Hall of Prayer and the gate tower are outer buildings decorated with colorful paintings and elegant brick carvings. Outside, the pond is lined with tall trees, bringing a peaceful ambiance to the area.