Xuanquan Remains

Xuanquan Site Ruins is located in the depth of the desert. It faces Mountain of Flames in the south and is adjacent to Xishawo Desert in the north. The site served as a transfer station between Anxi and Dunhuang during Han and Tang Dynasty. It is 56 kilometers away from Anxi and 64 kilometers from Dunhuang.

The site covers and area of 22, 5000 square meters with a high level of 1,700 meters. It was first discovered by archaeological survey team in Qiuquan Area in 1987.Excavation was carried out between 1990 and 1992.

The site itself is actually a square fortress surrounded with high walls and with its gate facing east. The wall is 50 meters long on each side. A turret with standing out dock was built in southwestern corner. The dock wall is made of adobes, which is 40cm long, 20 meter wide and 11cm thick.12 bungalows for accommodation were built against the walls in the west and the north. The areas in the east and the north were used for offices. Three stables were built in southwestern and northern areas. More than 17,650 pieces of relics were unearthed. 15,000 of them were bamboo strips with useful information on them. They could be classified by materials and purposes. The site is one of well-preserved ruins with diverse relics and complete structure ever found. It has a significance to the research of archaeological excavation.