Abakh Khoja Tomb (Tomb of Xiang Fei)

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.  It is the ancient Islamic building called Abakh Khoja Tomb that lies hidden among beautiful scenery. The tomb served as the family tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a prophet and second only to Mohammed. It was first built in 1640 and contained 72 members belonging 5 generations of the family. Emperor Qianlong's favored concubine-Xianggei(fragrant Concubine) was also said to be buried here.

In China the tomb is better known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei, the only Uigur concubine among the 41 wives of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Legend has it that Iparhan, a descendant of Abakh Khoja, exuded an enchanting fragrance without using any perfume, hence the name Xiang Fei (Fragrant concubine in Chinese). She spent 28 years beside the emperor in Beijing, abiding strictly by Islamic doctrines. Before her death at 55 she expressed her desire to be buried in her hometown of Turpan. The emperor so loved her that he had her coffin of clothes sent back to where it is now. This cost 124 people three years and a half. The ancient cart carrying the coffin of Xiangfei still stands in front of the mausoleum, adding a touch of mystery to the building. According to archeological findings, the authentic tomb of Xiang Fei is in the East Qing Tomb near Beijing.

Entering the main gate, visitors will see a big rectangle-shaped courtyard, which contains a gate tower, higher and lower worship walls, Doctrine-Teaching Hall, an orchard and the main tomb chamber. The gate tower is small while very brilliant. Close to the gate tower is a small mosque, which is used as a daily service hall for the local muslins.

A larger church in the west part of the cemetery is where many important religious activities take place. Muslims from South Xinjiang Province will come here to do massive liturgy before they go to worship the Abakh Khoja Tomb each Friday or on important religious festivals. In the north part there is a doctrine-Teaching Hall toped with a green dome.

Built from 1640, the tomb covers an area of about five acres. Just inside the gate is a large rectangular courtyard made up of a gate tower, worship walls, Doctrine-Teaching Hall, and tomb chamber.

The tomb chamber is the main building in the group, the most magnificent mausoleum in Xinjiang. Its base is rectangular with a huge brick column at each corner. The dome of the main chamber is semicircular with a diameter of 17 meters (55.7 feet). At its top is a circular edifice with a crescent. The chamber is 36 meters (118 feet) long and 27 meters (88.5 feet) high. The tomb faces south with a staircase leading to its top. The gate to the tomb is decorated with exquisite plaster patterns. The walls and the dome are covered with green glazed tiles. Ceramic tiles with colored patterns and Arabic words dot the four sides as well. Fifty-eight tombs provide resting places for five generations of 72 people in the Abakh Khoja family. All coffins are covered with gorgeous silk and satin. The stone coffin of Xiang Fei lying inconspicuously in the southeast corner attracts many visitors.

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