Kuqa

Kuqa, historically known as Qiuci, has a deep past stretching back to as early as 12,000 years ago, based on archaeological finds like the Haradun site. By the time of the Han dynasty (2nd century CE), Qiuci was one of the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions, a major oasis city. During the Tang dynasty (618-907 CE), it served as the seat of the Anxi Protectorate and was a cultural, religious, and commercial hub on the Silk Road (unfortunately, the ruins of the protectorate offices were a ways off, and we did not get a chance to visit). In more recent centuries, after coming under Qing rule in the mid-1700s, the area underwent several administrative changes. In 1913, Kuqa was made a county; in December 2019, Kuqa County was officially upgraded to Kuqa City.