History

Qocho City was the largest central town in Turpan Basin in the southern foot of the Tian-shan Mountains, dating back from the 1st century BC to the 14th century AD. During the period from the 1st century BC to the 8th century AD, it witnessed historical evolution as Qocho Garrison, Qocho Commandery and the capital of the Kingdom of Qocho successively. During the Tang

Dynasty, Xizhou Prefecture was set in Qocho City, making it an important political, economic, cultural, religious and military center and transportation hub in the southern foot of the Tian-shan Mountains. From the 9th through the 13th century AD, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Qocho Uyghur.