Post by blackcloud on Nov 21, 2013 4:35:21 GMT -5
Also known as the Emin Minaret, Sugong Pagoda was built in 1778 in order to commemorate the great Turpan general Emin Khoja and his great contribution to the unification of China. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit situated in the east suburb, two kilometers away from Turpan, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang (main destination for Silk Road tours) and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China. With unique religious significance, Sugong Pagoda attracts many tourists every year.
Architectural Style
The whole complex of the Sugong Pagoda is composed of two parts: the pagoda and the mosque. Built with gray brinks, the pagoda is about 44 meters high with a base of 10 meters in diameter. Without storeys, Sugong Pagoda is supported by a pillar with 72 steps around the center, which can allow the visitors to climb of the top to appreciate the complete view of Turpan. The pagoda takes a shape of cone and set with 14 windows at different levels and directions in order to get enough sunshine and ventilate for the building. The surface of the tower is carved with more than 15 different patterns such as waves, four disc flowers and rhombuses. These elegant patterns are the highlights of the art of the Uygur.
At the entrance of the pagoda, there stands a tablet, which inscribed a passage about Emin with the Uyghur and Han characteristics. Obviously, the pagoda was built to commemorate the great Turpan general Emin Khoja and his great contribution to the unification of China. The unique design of the pagoda shows the excellent tradition of architectural art of the Uygur people.
Mosque
Besides the pagoda, there is a mosque, which can accommodate a thousand of people worshiping. Covering an area of about 2,500 square meters, the mosque is capacious, simple and solemn. The mosque is a dome carved with more than14 different patterns. It has a ceremony hall which can hold more than thousands of people, and arc roof, beautiful, horse shoe shaped peak, numerous niches and gloomy cells. The Islamic style of architecture and the strong religious life breath are shown every where in the mosque.
Architectural Style
The whole complex of the Sugong Pagoda is composed of two parts: the pagoda and the mosque. Built with gray brinks, the pagoda is about 44 meters high with a base of 10 meters in diameter. Without storeys, Sugong Pagoda is supported by a pillar with 72 steps around the center, which can allow the visitors to climb of the top to appreciate the complete view of Turpan. The pagoda takes a shape of cone and set with 14 windows at different levels and directions in order to get enough sunshine and ventilate for the building. The surface of the tower is carved with more than 15 different patterns such as waves, four disc flowers and rhombuses. These elegant patterns are the highlights of the art of the Uygur.
At the entrance of the pagoda, there stands a tablet, which inscribed a passage about Emin with the Uyghur and Han characteristics. Obviously, the pagoda was built to commemorate the great Turpan general Emin Khoja and his great contribution to the unification of China. The unique design of the pagoda shows the excellent tradition of architectural art of the Uygur people.
Mosque
Besides the pagoda, there is a mosque, which can accommodate a thousand of people worshiping. Covering an area of about 2,500 square meters, the mosque is capacious, simple and solemn. The mosque is a dome carved with more than14 different patterns. It has a ceremony hall which can hold more than thousands of people, and arc roof, beautiful, horse shoe shaped peak, numerous niches and gloomy cells. The Islamic style of architecture and the strong religious life breath are shown every where in the mosque.