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

Dave h
Reviewed 11thJuly2019
Nice burial building, not an awful lot to see but still worth a visit to the tomb. Take bus 1 aka the tourist bus for 2rmb, it will also stop near the bazaar near east gate to old city. Not much info on display at...More
lovetoootravel
Reviewed 28thJune2019
Inside the building are many tombs that relate to the family and the relevant history is interesting. Outside the building are the burial grounds for the general muslim public
Mike J
Reviewed 12thJune2019
We visited this Mausoleum which is a major pilgrimage destination with some good architecture on the outskirts of Kashgar. There is a beautiful rose garden in front of the mausoleum all in all this makes a worthwhile visit.
703maryt
Reviewed 28thApril2019
From the front gate reminiscent of Samarkand, to the huge mausoleum building itself, to the three mosques in the complex, this is quite a worthwhile attraction to visit. The buildings are old and could stand some refurbishing, but they are all lovely in their ways....More
andrew g
Reviewed 13thApril2019
So what damaged by the 1956 earthquake but fine craftsmanship. And interesting history. Don't miss the craftsmen street.
NATHAN1909
Reviewed 22ndDecember2018
this is an impressing monument, and the vast amount of local visitors/pilgrims give it an expression of kind of holliness. worth while visiting
rapha_y_nici
Reviewed 28thOctober2018
Already the way to the Abakh Hoja Tomb by taxi or by bus brings you a bit outside the city centre what is interesting to see. Taxi from the center was 9rmb. The Tomb itself is very nice and it was not overcrowded. Furthermore there...More
Peter R
Reviewed 3rdOctober2018
This was a good place to visit and get the history from our local guide. I wouldn't rate this place more than good but most tourists come here on there way out of China.
m0untainandlakes
Reviewed 3rdOctober2018
Worth a visit for the beautiful architecture and colours, even though it is quite a walk from the main road.
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

Dave h

Reviewed 11thJuly2019

Nice burial building, not an awful lot to see but still worth a visit to the tomb. Take bus 1 aka the tourist bus for 2rmb, it will also stop near the bazaar near east gate to old city. Not much info on display at...More

lovetoootravel

Reviewed 28thJune2019

Inside the building are many tombs that relate to the family and the relevant history is interesting. Outside the building are the burial grounds for the general muslim public

Mike J

Reviewed 12thJune2019

We visited this Mausoleum which is a major pilgrimage destination with some good architecture on the outskirts of Kashgar. There is a beautiful rose garden in front of the mausoleum all in all this makes a worthwhile visit.

703maryt

Reviewed 28thApril2019

From the front gate reminiscent of Samarkand, to the huge mausoleum building itself, to the three mosques in the complex, this is quite a worthwhile attraction to visit. The buildings are old and could stand some refurbishing, but they are all lovely in their ways....More

andrew g

Reviewed 13thApril2019

So what damaged by the 1956 earthquake but fine craftsmanship. And interesting history. Don't miss the craftsmen street.

NATHAN1909

Reviewed 22ndDecember2018

this is an impressing monument, and the vast amount of local visitors/pilgrims give it an expression of kind of holliness. worth while visiting

rapha_y_nici

Reviewed 28thOctober2018

Already the way to the Abakh Hoja Tomb by taxi or by bus brings you a bit outside the city centre what is interesting to see. Taxi from the center was 9rmb. The Tomb itself is very nice and it was not overcrowded. Furthermore there...More

Peter R

Reviewed 3rdOctober2018

This was a good place to visit and get the history from our local guide. I wouldn't rate this place more than good but most tourists come here on there way out of China.

m0untainandlakes

Worth a visit for the beautiful architecture and colours, even though it is quite a walk from the main road.

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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