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Abakh Khoja Tomb

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Abakh Khoja Tomb

Being a typical Islamic ancient building complex, Apahuojia tomb together with tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is located in Haohan village. It was first built in 1640 or so. It is said that altogether 72 people of five generations are buried there, among whom is Apahuojia. He is famous Islamic master of "Yichan Sect" (an Islamic religious group) in Kashi from late Ming Dynasty to early Qing Dynasty. Apahuojia is the second generation among people in the tomb. He once got the heredity right of the Yeerqiang Dynasty and became the Islamic chief of "Yichan Sect" (an Islamic religious group) in 17th century. His fame and prestige far exceeded his father's who was a missionary master.

Resembling an imposing and luxuriant palace, tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is 40 meters high and composed of five parts namely arch over gateway, small mosque, big mosque, religious scripture preaching hall and host coffin chamber. There is an exquisite gallery on curved dome roof on the top of which locates a gold crescent, solemnly glittering and creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. In the broad and spacious hall of the tomb, is a platform of half person high. On this platform there are 58 graves in proper order for 72 people of five generations in Xiang imperial concubine's family. Xiang's grave is set up in the northeast corner on this platform, in front of which her name is written both in Chinese and Uigur. Grave mounds are all wrapped up with blue glass bricks. They are covered by cloth with various patterns and figures. This expresses an honor to the dead and meanwhile protects graves. On the left of grave are built big and small Islamic mosques which are delicate. Behind the tomb there is a large sheet of grave, with a very grand sight.

Emperor Qianlong's beloved Xiang imperial concubine, originally called Maimure Aizimu is famous in the Qing Dynasty. Her body has a special fragrance when she was still young. So she is called "Yipaerhan" ("a fragrant girl" in Uigur). She is chosen to be the imperial concubine by emperor in Qing dynasty and bestowed the title of "Xiang (fragrant) Imperial Concubine". She finally died of discomfort caused by natural environment and climate in capital city. According to popular sayings the Qing emperor orders 124 people lift up the coffin for her. It takes 3 years to bring her corpse back home to be buried there. But today's research shows that her tomb is just in Qingong Tomb in Hebei. Xiang imperial concubine grave is just her tomb containing some personal clothes and other wearing.

Apahuojia grave which has experienced more than three hundred years' trials and hardships, unyieldingly and firmly sticks to its own unsophisticated architectural style. Among visitors coming here, some want to feel the mystery of Xiang imperial concubine, some for worshiping but most come to appreciate excellent architectural technology and artistic style of Apahuojia grave. Tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is a popular name for grave of Apahuojia clan. It is a typical Islamic grave building of palace style. 72 tombs of the same clan with glass tile cover of white background dotted with orchid are here. The first generation is Islamic missionary Aji Maihemaiti.Yusufuhuojia. After his death, his eldest son Apahuojia takes over his mantle and continues doing missionary work. He once won the hereditary regime of the Yeerqiang dynasty and governed Kashgar, Yeerqiang (now Shache), Hetian city, Akesu, Kuche, and Turfan during his peak period. He accepted the title of "governor of the world" and became the Islamic chief of Baishan (white hill) sect in 17th century. After his death the grave is renamed Apahuojia grave. Xiang imperial concubine is his granddaughter.

Emperor Qianlong's Xiang imperial concubine is called Rong imperial concubine, whose original name is Yipaerhan. It is said that her body has a rich fragrance of olive flower therefore she is called so. According to the legend, Xiang died of depression. After her death, Emperor Qianlong order 66,666 people attend her funeral team. The coffin was being lifted up and sent back to hometown, which is not allowed to fall to the ground. When the coffin arrived in Kashi there were only six people left. This certainly is only a legend. According to the records she has lived in the palace for 28 years, died at 53 and then is buried in Yu imperial concubine garden of Qingdong tomb in Hebei. The legend tells that Xiang imperial concubine's elder brother has spent 3 years and half carrying her things from Beijing and burying them in the northeast corner of this mausoleum hall. Thus in tomb of Xiang imperial concubine is only her clothes and other wearing.

Mausoleum includes five parts namely arch over gateway, big mosque, small mosque, religious scripture preaching hall and host coffin chamber. Arch over gateway at main door is gorgeous, with grand brick columns and door wall on both sides, whose surface is covered with glass brick of blue background dotted with white flowers. Closely beside the western wall of arch over gateway is a small mosque, which has platform with color-drawing-covered ceiling and a room for praying at the back. In the west lies a big mosque. In the due north is a religious scripture preaching hall with dome. The host coffin chamber is in the east, which is the main body of the entire architectural complex. The host grave has a circular roof with its diameter amounting to 17 meters without any beams or columns to support it. The outside is covered with green glazed brick wainscot mingled with yellow or blue ceramic tiles having various drawings and decorative patterns. This makes it appear especially beautiful, imposing and solemn. A platform of half person high stands in the coffin chamber, on which are about ten graves in different sizes covered with glazed brick of white background dotted with blue flowers seeming simple but elegant.