Qitai history

Foundation and First Mentions

The county of Qitai, located in the northwest of the country, boasts an ancient and rich history closely tied to the Great Silk Road. Although it was officially established as an administrative unit under its modern name during the Qing Dynasty (in 1773), settlements in this area existed long before that. Historically, the city was known as Gucheng ("Old City"), indicating its long-standing existence as an important fortified point in China.

Key Factors of Development

The development of Qitai was facilitated by a unique combination of geographical and strategic advantages:

• Geography: The city is situated at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, on the edge of the Junggar Basin. This location provided access to water resources in an arid region, which was critical for caravans.
• Trade: Qitai served as a key hub on the Northern Route of the Silk Road. It was known as a "land harbour," where trade routes leading to Mongolia and the interior regions of the country converged.
• Military Significance: Due to its location, the city historically functioned as an important garrison and logistics centre, ensuring the security of trade routes.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

During its heyday, Qitai was a bustling commercial centre, often referred to as the "City of Camels" due to the immense number of caravans passing through it. The economy was built on the transit trade of tea, silk, and local goods. An active cultural exchange took place here between the various peoples inhabiting the region, forming the unique character of the city as a meeting place of East and West.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of the area where modern Qitai is located spans more than two millennia and is closely interwoven with the destiny of the Great Silk Road.

• 2nd Century BC — The territory becomes part of the ancient Kingdom of Jushi (Cheshi), becoming an important trade hub in the region.
• 640 AD — The Tang Dynasty establishes control over the region, creating the administrative unit of Tingzhou here.
• 702 AD — Empress Wu Zetian establishes the Beiting Protectorate, turning the city into the main military and political centre north of the Tianshan Mountains.
• 9th Century — After the collapse of the Uyghur Khaganate, the city becomes the summer capital of the Kingdom of Qocho and is known by the name Beshbalik.
• 1251 — During the Mongol Empire, an administrative office is created here to manage the affairs of the western territories.
• Early 15th Century — As a result of internecine wars, the ancient city of Beiting is destroyed and gradually falls into decline.
• 1773 — The Qing Empire officially establishes Qitai County, restoring the administrative status of the settlement and strengthening the borders of China.
• 1954 — The county becomes part of the newly formed Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture.
• 1988 — The ruins of the ancient city of Beiting receive the status of a protected cultural monument of national importance.
• 2014 — The Beiting City Site is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Silk Road routes network.

The history of the formation of the modern Qitai county reflects the changing eras of the Great Silk Road. The city has journeyed from a military outpost to an important economic hub of China, experiencing several key stages of transformation.

• Establishment of the Beiting Protectorate (8th Century). The transformation of the city into a regional administrative centre under the Tang Dynasty was an urban planning breakthrough. This led to the large-scale construction of fortifications, temples, and public buildings, making the city the main stronghold of the empire north of the Tianshan Mountains.
• Capital Status in the Qocho Era (9th–13th Centuries). Becoming the summer capital of the Uyghur state (under the name Beshbalik), the city transformed into a major cultural and religious centre. During this period, Buddhism and Manichaeism flourished here, and majestic monasteries were built, the ruins of which have survived to this day.
• Trade Renaissance of "Gucheng" (Qing Dynasty). In the 18th–19th centuries, the city, known as Gucheng ("Old City"), became a key logistics hub. It was called a "land harbour": caravans bound for Mongolia and Russia were formed here, ensuring a powerful influx of merchant capital and the development of the service sector.
• Administrative Reform of 1773. The official establishment of Qitai County secured the settlement's status as an administrative unit. This facilitated the organization of urban development, the growth of the bureaucratic apparatus, and the implementation of regular street planning.
• Agrarian Colonization of the Oasis. The development of irrigation systems allowed the arid lands around the city to be turned into a fertile breadbasket. The county became a significant producer of wheat, melons, and oil-bearing plants, ensuring the food security of the region.
• Industrialization and Resource Extraction (20th–21st Centuries). The discovery of coal and oil reserves in the Junggar Basin radically changed the city's economy. Qitai reoriented itself from transit trade and agriculture to the energy industry and coal chemistry.
• Inclusion in the UNESCO List (2014). The recognition of the Beiting site as part of World Heritage gave impetus to the development of tourism infrastructure. The city began to position itself as a cultural brand, attracting investment in museum complexes and the restoration of monuments.

Architectural Chronicle: From Earthen Walls to Modernity

The architectural appearance of Qitai county is a vivid illustration of how priorities changed along the Great Silk Road. The urban space here was shaped by the military needs of ancient empires, bustling caravan trade, and the modern urbanization trends of China.

The Tang Era and Uyghur Idiqutship: Fortification and Religious Architecture

The most ancient and significant layer of architecture is represented by the ruins of the Beiting site. During this period (7th–13th centuries), urban planning was dictated by the need for defence and religious requirements.

• Style: Ancient Chinese fortification architecture and Buddhist temple architecture.
• Features: Use of the rammed earth technique for constructing monumental fortress walls and towers.
• Landmark Object: Ruins of the Buddhist temple complex in the west of the settlement. Despite the destruction, a complex layout of sanctuaries with niches for statues and remnants of frescoes can be traced here.

The Qing Era: Traditional Commercial Development

In the 18th–19th centuries, when the city became known as Gucheng ("Old City"), its architecture acquired a distinct commercial character. This was the heyday of the "land harbour."

• Style: Traditional Chinese folk architecture with elements of adaptation to the arid climate.
• Features: The urban fabric formed around caravan-serais and trade shops. Buildings were constructed primarily of adobe brick and wood, often with internal courtyards (Siheyuan) that offered protection from winds and dust.

Modern Period: Functionalism and Neo-Historicism

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Qitai underwent massive reconstruction. Modern urban planning is aimed at creating a comfortable environment and developing tourism.

• Modernism and Functionalism: Administrative and residential districts are built up with multi-story buildings made of concrete and glass. Wide avenues and regular street layouts are characteristic.
• Museum Architecture: In the area of the Beiting Archaeological Park, modern solutions stylized as antiquity are applied. For example, the museum building is designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape and ruins, using colours and textures reminiscent of the clay walls of the ancient city.

Legendary Figures of Qitai

The rich past of Qitai county (ancient Beshbalik and Tingzhou) is inextricably linked with the names of great commanders, poets, and diplomats. These people shaped the history of the region, turning it into a key hub on the Silk Road in China.

• Geng Gong (1st Century AD) — Commander of the Han Dynasty.
  He became a symbol of loyalty and resilience. Known for the heroic defence of a fortress in the Junggar Basin region against superior enemy forces. His feat is considered an example of military valour and is often associated with the history of the development of the Western Regions.
• Cen Shen (715–770 AD) — Distinguished poet of the Tang Era.
  He served as an official in the Beiting Protectorate (the ruins of which are located in Qitai). It was here that he wrote his famous "border poems," praising the rugged beauty of the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains and the daily life of the garrison. His work made this remote outpost famous throughout the empire.
• Pei Xingjian (619–682 AD) — General and statesman of the Tang Era.
  Played a decisive role in the pacification of the Western Turks and the strengthening of the administrative system of Tingzhou. Thanks to his strategic talent, the city became the most important military and political centre north of the mountains.
• Wang Yande (939–1006 AD) — Diplomat and envoy of the Song Dynasty.
  Undertook a famous journey to the Western Regions and left detailed records about the city of Beshbalik (then the capital of the Uyghur state). His travel notes are an invaluable historical source describing the culture, customs, and prosperity of the city in the 10th century.
• Barchuk Art Tegin (13th Century) — Ruler (Idiqut) of the Uyghur Kingdom of Qocho.
  Made Beshbalik his summer capital. Displayed political foresight by peacefully joining the Mongol Empire, which allowed the city to be saved from destruction and ensured its economic rise during the Yuan era.
• Zuo Zongtang (1812–1885 AD) — Governor-General and reformer of the Qing Era.
  Turned the city (then called Gucheng) into a major logistics base for his operations in Xinjiang. Under him, trade flourished here, granaries were built, and roads were improved, which secured the city's status as a "land harbour."