Shikchin (Qigexing) Buddhist Temple Ruins
七个星佛寺遗址
The largest Buddhist temple ruin of the ancient Yanqi kingdom, with rows of adobe stupas and hall foundations scattered across the Gobi. Bleak and impressive.
The Qigexing Buddhist Temple Ruins lie southwest of Qigexing Town in Yanqi County. They are the most important Buddhist temple site of the ancient Yanqi kingdom, one of the Four Garrisons of Anxi under the Tang dynasty. The site dates roughly to the 4th–10th centuries CE. Over a hundred adobe stupas, halls and monks' quarters remain on the Gobi, and cave temples are found on the nearby hillside. Many murals and statues were taken by foreign expeditions in earlier years and are now held in Berlin, St. Petersburg and elsewhere. The site is a national key cultural heritage site and has a small exhibition hall. Ticket prices are confirmed on site, and a visit takes about an hour. It is about 40 km from Korla and can be combined with Bosten Lake on the same day.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–19:00 (Beijing time)
Nearby sights
- Iron Gate Pass
- Lotus Lake & Ahongkou (Bosten Lake)
- Peacock River Scenic Belt
- Bayingolin Museum
- Swan River
- Bosten Lake Dahekou (Xihai Fishing Village)
- Bailuzhou (Bosten Lake South Shore)
- Bosten Lake Golden Beach (Hoxud)