page_title: Gaochang
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Gaochang / History
context_page_description: Gaochang, also called Karakhoja, Qara-hoja, Kara-Khoja or Karahoja, is the site of a ruined, ancient oasis city on the northern rim of the inhospitable Taklamakan Desert in present-day Xinjiang, China. The site is also known in published reports as Chotscho, Khocho, Qocho or Qočo. During the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Gaochang was referred to as "Halahezhuo" and Huozhou.
  The ruins are located 30 km southeast of modern Turpan. The archaeological remains are just outside the modern town of Gaochang, at a place called Idykut-schari or Idikutschari by local residents. Artistic depictions of the city have been published by Albert von Le Coq. Gaochang is considered in some sources to have been a "Chinese colony", that is, it was located in a region otherwise occupied at the time by West Eurasian peoples.
  A busy trading center, it was a stopping point for merchant traders traveling on the Silk Road. It was destroyed in wars during the 14th century and old palace ruins and inside and outside cities can still be seen today.
  Near Gaochang is another major archeological site: the Astana tombs.
caption: Gaochang's location (close to Turpan) on the Silk Road
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