Abakh Kohja's Tomb

Introduction

Abakh Kohja was the 17th century ruler of Kashgar, Korla, Kucha, Aksu, Hetian and Shache. He was the leader of the White Mountain sect of Islam and was revered as a venerable leader and prophet. Abakh Kohja’s Tomb was built in 1640 and houses a small religious school and the tombs of 5 generations of Kohja’s family. The complex features typical Central Asian architecture – it is a large mosque-like structure with blue and white tiling, complete with a green dome and colorful minarets.

Kohja’s grandaughter Ikparhan (Xiang Fei, or "Fragrant Concubine" in Chinese) is also buried here. She was a favored concubine to Qing emperor Qianlong (1711-1791) and lived in the Forbidden City for 25 years before being executed by the emperor’s jealous mother. On the emperor’s orders, 120 people spent 3 years transferring her coffin back to her home in Kashgar and the palanquin upon which her coffin was carried is still on display.