Abakh Hoja Tomb in Kashgar, Xinjiang China

Abakh Hoja Tomb

Abakh Khoja Tomb (also called Xiangfei Tomb) in Haohan Village is 5 kilometers east of Kashgar. It is considered the holiest Muslim site in Xinjiang. The Abakh Khoja Tomb contains a group of beautiful and magnificent buildings.

Five kilometers (3.1 miles) northeast of Kashgar, an ancient Islamic building nestles among poplar trees. With glazed tiles shining in the sun, its tower points to the azure sky. A masterpiece of Uigur architecture, this is Abakh Khoja Tomb, 17th Century family cemetery of the Kashgar area Islamic leader.

Originally built in 1640, the beautiful tiled Abakh Khoja Mausoleum contains the tombs of 72 members of five generations of the Abakh Khoja family. Abakh Khoja was the great-grand son of the famous “Great Sufi Master” named Ahmad Kasani. Abakh Khoja was a political and religious ruler in various regions of present-day Xinjiang, such as Kashgar, Hotan, Korla, and so on. By then, he was respected by people as a Sufi teacher. Some Uyghurs even considered him as a sayid. Abakh Khoja had a significant influence on the religion of Xinjiang and Gansu where he preached. Several of his descendants also played important roles in the politics within Xinjiang.

Abakh Khoja Tomb is also called Xiangfei (Fragrant Imperial Concubine) Tomb because legend has it that the most beloved imperial Concubine of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty called “Xiangfei” was buried there.

It was said that the granddaughter of Abakh Khoja was presented to Emperor Qianlong as an imperial concubine. She was called Xiangfei (Chinese pinyin) because of the rich fragrance of flower emitting from her body. After she died, her remains were escorted back to Kashgar and buried in the Abakh Khoja Tomb. This is why the mausoleum is also called Xiangfei Tomb.

The Abakh Khoja Tomb is composed of Tomb’s Hall, the Doctrine-Teaching Hall, the Grand Mosque, the Gate Tower, and so on. The Tomb’s Hall is exquisitely decorated with glazed tiles of various colors. The hall is tall and spacious without the support of columns. The tombs built of glazed bricks with elegant patterns are arranged in order inside the hall. The Grand mosque at the west of the Tomb Hall is where Muslims have service on important days. Abakh Khoja Tomb is a quiet and beautiful place to visit.

Client’s Reviews

coloradotalk
Reviewed 11thAugust2015
It is best to go with a guide to this tomb to get all the history. The nearly by cemetery is interesting with its different Muslin traditions.
TOsunnyfirst
Reviewed 19thJuly2017
Come on! You didn't come all this way far far away and pay ¥30 to see the surface!!! PAY KEEN ATTENTION to the details. On the wooden pillars of the mosque, you will find all sorts of painted patterns in different colors. Below the roof,...More
JPDM788
Reviewed 17thMay2013
There is not much to see there and whatever there is they are renovating. So, no photo opp there. It is not very far from the center of town but you'll have to walk quite a bit to return t the main road and catch...More
Kashgar T
Reviewed 8thMarch2016
I have been here many times and I enjoyed very much beacuse here I found real history of the Uighurs from the anient times , (1640 AD)
oropolitics
Reviewed 28thSeptember2015
Apak Hoja was the scion of a respected Sufi family of the Ak Tagh Khojas who used his political clout to help the Dzungars chase off the Chaghatai ruler of Yarkand and won Kashgar as a reward in 1680. The Dzungars were soon at odds...More
Angela S
Reviewed 11thApril2013
The tomb itself was an amazingly colorful building with hand painted tiles. Inside, the tombs are covered with colorful blankets. The mosque with the different and independently created columns was interesting to view. Most of the rest of the buildings were under construction so we...More
Hock8
Reviewed 2ndJuly2016
Well worth the trip but to get full appreciation you need to know the history which is best with a local guide. Not only are over 70 others buried here the attached mosque and buildings have been used for schools throughout its history.
Dutchguy_in_Allgau
Reviewed 17thJuly2015
I really liked this place. The tomb is impressive from outside. The mosque was less impressive. The grave yard at the side is quite good,... But there were many people praying for their died family members,... So I did not go on there out of...More
xiaobier1949
Reviewed 8thJune2012
It was a sight to remember, with the design of the Tomb and the history of the site, well worth the visit.
studioworks
Reviewed 10thSeptember2018
I was lucky to have visited this Tomb with my guide who explained the significance of the various features to me. While you can see it alone, being with a guide you were able to understand and notice so much more.

Top Attractions in Kashgar

coloradotalk

Reviewed 11thAugust2015

It is best to go with a guide to this tomb to get all the history. The nearly by cemetery is interesting with its different Muslin traditions.

TOsunnyfirst

Reviewed 19thJuly2017

Come on! You didn't come all this way far far away and pay ¥30 to see the surface!!! PAY KEEN ATTENTION to the details. On the wooden pillars of the mosque, you will find all sorts of painted patterns in different colors. Below the roof,...More

JPDM788

Reviewed 17thMay2013

There is not much to see there and whatever there is they are renovating. So, no photo opp there. It is not very far from the center of town but you'll have to walk quite a bit to return t the main road and catch...More

Kashgar T

Reviewed 8thMarch2016

I have been here many times and I enjoyed very much beacuse here I found real history of the Uighurs from the anient times , (1640 AD)

oropolitics

Reviewed 28thSeptember2015

Apak Hoja was the scion of a respected Sufi family of the Ak Tagh Khojas who used his political clout to help the Dzungars chase off the Chaghatai ruler of Yarkand and won Kashgar as a reward in 1680. The Dzungars were soon at odds...More

Angela S

Reviewed 11thApril2013

The tomb itself was an amazingly colorful building with hand painted tiles. Inside, the tombs are covered with colorful blankets. The mosque with the different and independently created columns was interesting to view. Most of the rest of the buildings were under construction so we...More

Hock8

Reviewed 2ndJuly2016

Well worth the trip but to get full appreciation you need to know the history which is best with a local guide. Not only are over 70 others buried here the attached mosque and buildings have been used for schools throughout its history.

Dutchguy_in_Allgau

Reviewed 17thJuly2015

I really liked this place. The tomb is impressive from outside. The mosque was less impressive. The grave yard at the side is quite good,... But there were many people praying for their died family members,... So I did not go on there out of...More

xiaobier1949

Reviewed 8thJune2012

It was a sight to remember, with the design of the Tomb and the history of the site, well worth the visit.

studioworks

Reviewed 10thSeptember2018

I was lucky to have visited this Tomb with my guide who explained the significance of the various features to me. While you can see it alone, being with a guide you were able to understand and notice so much more.

Abakh Hoja Tomb

Client’s Reviews

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