China: Fragment of an illustration of the Buddha-to-Be's 'Great Departure'. Gaochang (Khocho), Turfan, Xinjiang, 8th century CE

Gaochang (Qara-hoja in Uyghur) is located in present-day Xinjiang Province, 30 km from Turpan. The site is also known in early published reports as Chotscho, Khocho, or Qoco. The archaeological remains are just outside the town at a place originally called Idykut-schari or Idikutschari by local residents. Artistic monuments of the city have been published by Albert von Le Coq. Gaochang was built in the 1st century BCE, it was an important site along the Silk Road.

It played a key role as a transportation hub in western China. There is some documented history surviving today, perhaps stories passed on through oral tradition exist to detail the history. It was burnt down in wars in the 14th century. Old palace ruins and inside and outside cities can still be seen today.

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