Quietly situated in the oasis north of the Turpan basin, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the Jiaohe Ruins once served as a major transportation hub along the ancient Silk Road, bearing witness to the long history of the Chinese civilization.

The Jiaohe Ruins are the best-preserved, longest-lasting and largest relics of a clay-built city worldwide. For years, the country has put effort in reinforcement and preservation work of the Jiaohe Ruins, while also integrating it with cultural tourism to share the charm of this historical wonder with a wider audience.

Owing to its vital historical value, the Jiaohe Ruins were designated in 1961 as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. In June 2014, the Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang’an-Tianshan Corridor, a joint effort by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

(All images via VCG)