The Abakh Khoja Mausoleum, located 5 kilometers northeast of Kashgar is a masterpiece of Uyghur architecture. The holiest Muslim site in Xinjiang, the mausoleum was built in the early 17th century as the tomb of Muhammad Yusuf, a Central Asian Naqshibandi Sufi (a part of Islam) Master who came to the region. Five generations of his family are buried in the mausoleum.

According to local legend, the most famous occupant of the tomb is Iparhan, one of China’s Four Famous Beauties, who was to be the concubine of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). According to legend, she refused to serve the emperor and was either forced to commit suicide or was murdered by the Emperor’s mother, depending on which story you are told. In reality, she lived with the emperor for 28 years before dying at the age of 55. She wished to be buried in her hometown of Turpan, but she was buried in Beijing in the Eastern Qing Dynasty Tombs. Her clothing was brought back to her tomb in the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum to be buried. This was common practice for people who were buried far from their home areas. The ancient cart and casket which carried her clothing is still at the mausoleum.

The Mausoleum is square in shape topped with a large dome and with a minaret on each of the four corners. The mausoleum is covered with green glazed tiles and the minarets are decorated with stripes and floral patterns. Each of the minarets’ windows are shaped with a different geometric pattern. The 58 tombs inside are decorated with blue glazed tiles. The mausoleum is located in an area of 5 acres which is surrounded by a wall. Just inside the gate is a large courtyard which has a gate tower, worship halls, a doctrine-teaching hall and the mausoleum. Located inside the walled area are several other halls and a cemetery.

 
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