Mallikurwatur Ancient Town


Mallikurwatur Ancient Town is located on the west bank of the Jade Dragon Kashgar River, about 25 kilometers south of Hetian (Hotan) City. Ten kilometers long from north to south and two kilometers  wide from east to west, it was built 1,500-1,600 years ago, with the Kunlun Mountain to the south.

Mallikurwatur.jpgJade articles, pottery and a large number of old coins like Wu Zhu Qian (five zhu money) coin in the Western Han (206 BC-24 AD) Dynasty and Kai Yuan Tong Bao coin of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) were excavated here, therefore, some experts deem that this was the capital city of the Tian Kingdom in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220). Furthermore, clay platforms are found widely about one kilometer (1,094 yards) south of the ancient city, where is conjectured to be the Palace or the living place of the officials and nobles. While, relics of murals and figures of Buddha, especially a fine clay Buddha's head were also discovered to the south of clay platforms, where there was presumed to be a Buddhist temple.In addition, ancient tombs and buildings along with three mysterious caves are also worth visiting in the ancient city.

The ancient city of Mallikurwatur is an important town in Yutian, the ancient country of west land. Yutian is one of the four garrison commands of Anxi, the other three being Qiuci, Shule and Yanqi. Yutian had well-developed handicraft industry because it attained the silkworm raising technique from central plains earlier than the other three countries. It was once the centre of Mahayana Buddhism and also reached superior accomplishment in music, painting and drama. Due to all of these and as a big town in Yutian, the ancient city of Mallikurwatur is supposed to be a prosperous city in that period.

There are ancient tombs, ancient building groups, and three mysterious caves at the back of the west sand hill. And large number of cultural relics including bronze Buddha statues, jade articles, clay figure of Buddha, wall coverings, relic tags of mural paintings, potteries and large amount of ancient money. The excavated ancient money includes Wuzhu money of Han Dynasty, Jianlun money of Wei and Jin Dynasties and Kaiyuantongbao money of Tang Dynasty.


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