Hami

Today it is the eastern gateway to Xinjiang, a rich oasis in the midst of a seemingly endless desert and famous throughout China for its Melons, the Hami Melon. Historically, Hami has always been an important part of the Silk Road, occupying one of the few fertile spots between Gansu Province and Turpan. Marco Polo once noted with evident pleasure the locals’ habit of not only supplying guests with food and shelter but also allowing them to sleep with their wives.

Highlights:

The Mausoleum of Hui Kings - From 1697 until 1930, Hami was nominally controlled by Muslim (Hui) kings. After the death of these rulers, they were all buried in the tomb complex, which comprises a number of domed mausoleums in Islamic styles as well as a mosque.