Meet in Turpan

Author: Luo Juan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Su Gong Pagoda is located 2 kilometers east of Turpan City. It is the largest ancient tower remaining in Xinjiang, with a history of over 200 years. Heading east from the Turpan urban area, deep within the dense vineyards, there is an open highland. Standing amidst the green expanse, the 44-meter-high, ash-gray, brick-built circular giant tower is a simple yet solemn architectural marvel. The center of the tower features a 72-step spiral staircase made of bricks, serving as the central pillar. This is an artistic treasure created by the Uyghur architectural masters of Turpan, showcasing Islamic architectural style.
Kamran Khodja was a prominent Uyghur leader in Turpan who made outstanding contributions to maintaining national unity and was enfeoffed as a Prince by the Qing Dynasty. The Su Gong Pagoda was built by his second son, Sulaiman, to commemorate his father's achievements and express loyalty to the Qing Dynasty, at his own expense of 70,000 taels of silver. Standing beneath the dazzling sunlight, gazing up at the Su Gong Pagoda, it stands quietly. The tower's body is constructed with 14 different geometric patterns in brickwork, evenly tapering upwards without a single piece of timber, exuding extreme simplicity and clarity. Notably, the architects ingeniously utilized the backdrop of the blue sky and white clouds to leave an unforgettable impression of the Su Gong Pagoda amidst the vast landscape.
Next to the Su Gong Pagoda stands a mosque capable of accommodating 1,000 worshippers, covering an area of 2,500 square meters. It is one of the larger Islamic mosques in Xinjiang. During the traditional Islamic festivals of the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Muslim communities from all directions gather here to recite prayers and worship. P77-79