Page 19 - 15 Day China Sample

At the entrance to the minaret, two steles were set up. On one is a Chinese inscription which explains that the purpose of building the minaret was to show gratitude to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and to commemorate exploits of Emin Khoja while the Uigur inscription on the other stele gave thanks to Allah. Emin Minaret with Islamic Style. The historical background of Emin Minaret is underlined by the architectural significance. The 44-meter (144 feet) high minaret has no stories. From the base with a diameter of 10 meters (32.8 feet), the minaret tapers to an Islamic dome. In the center of the minaret is a brick-piled pillar with 72 steps around it spiraling to the top. There are 14 openings for ventilation and lighting which are located in different directions and at various heights. On the top, there is an attic of 10 square meters (107 square feet) with large windows on the four sides through which the marvelous landscape could be admired. Turpan is famous throughout China for its juicy, white seedless grapes. To provide irrigation to this arid land, the local people have devised a unique, inventive irrigation system that allows melting snow from the Tian Shan mountain range to flow in channels through city streets and fields, giving Turpan a plentiful year-round supply of the desert’s most rare and precious commodity. This afternoon drive through the desert to the provincial capital of Xinjiang province - Urumqi. The drive takes approximately 3-4 hours. Urumqi has 13 distinct ethnic minorities calling the area home. Urumqi means “beautiful pastures” in Mongolian. At the Sheraton Hotel reservations for a Deluxe Room have been confirmed for this evening. Overnight: Sheraton Urumqi Hotel - Deluxe Room