Ancient State of Loulan
( 2005-09-13 )

 Brief Introduction toLoulan

Loulan, one of West China's 36 ancient states, whose exact location is unknown, mysteriously disappeared after 500 years of continuous prosperity. The rapid disappearance of such a large, prosperous trading hub on the thrivingSilk Road, which dealt mainly in the trade of silk, glass, and perfume, is one of history's biggest puzzles.

Returning from his Western journeys during theTang Dynasty(618-907), TangXuanzang(a famous Buddhist monk, on whom Journey to the West is based) witnessed the already bleak scene of the Loulan city buildings that held very few people.

Some 1,500 years later, a Swedish adventurer named Sven Hedin and his guide discovered Loulan on March 28, 1900. The discovery actually caused a great sensation at the time, and was reputed as the "Oriental Pompeii." For more than 100 years since, Loulan has stirred the enthusiasm of adventurers, historians, and travelers both from China and abroad. Loulan Beauty, Loulan Tomb, Loulan Coffin … one miracle after another has persistently aroused the world's attention.

Scholars from both home and abroad believe the Loulan relics are the most important discovery along the once-prosperous Silk Road for researching and exploring the rich history of Northwest China'sXinjiangUygur Autonomous Region and Central Asian countries, the history of the Silk Road, cultural communications, and the mélange (mixture) of East and West.