Xinjiang | The only existing Zoroastrian cemetery in China, Jilzan Kalle

| The only existing Zoroastrian cemetery in China, Jilzan Kalle. The eighth batch of key cultural relics protection units nationwide. Jilzan Kalle is located on the edge of Qushiman Village in Tizinafu Township, north of Tashkurgan County, also known as the "Qushiman Site", which can almost be called the westernmost cultural protection unit in mainland China. It is nearly 3700 meters above sea level and consists of four cemeteries along the Tashkurgan River. The A and B cemeteries have remnants of black and white striped stones, which are particularly obvious when viewed from the air. Coupled with the evidence of some unearthed cultural relics, it is widely believed to be the remains of Zoroastrianism, with the early characteristics of Zoroastrianism. ✨Therefore, in the mainstream view, Jilzan Kalle is the only large Zoroastrian cemetery in Xinjiang, China. In the past archaeological excavations of Jilzan Kalle, a large number of fire basins with a fixed number of pebbles, drilled wooden branches and other cultural relics were unearthed. They were inferred to be fire altars used by worshippers during the investigation. The direction of the winter solstice sunset indicated by the black and white striped stones, and the "balsam branches" and other Zoroastrian ritual vessels (the Japan Mei Xiu Museum has a batch of Zoroastrian sacrificial golden figures, holding wooden sticks very similar to those unearthed at this site), gave the cemetery a high degree of corroborative evidence of its cultural attributes. The number of pebbles in the "fire altar" also corresponds to the number of deities in the Zoroastrian Bible "Avesta", and everything seems to point to the development and spread of this distant Persian state religion - Xianjiao on the Pamir Plateau. However, in fact, there are different opinions in academia. Professor Zhang Liangren of Nanjing University once expressed opposition, believing that the placement of pebbles in the fire altar was used by the ancient Sai people to take DM, and the small holes on the "balsam branch" were more like traces of drilling wood for fire. The black and white striped stone-style tombs only exist on the Pamir Plateau, and there are no similar shapes in other Zoroastrian tombs. Circular worship is more common - the author has read an article published by Professor Zhang Liangren, which refutes the views of Professor Wu Xinhua one by one. The brilliance of it is admirable. ✨Now stepping into the Jilzan Kalle cemetery, the clear boundary of the black and white pebbles is so clear, visible to the naked eye when bending down, representing the "good and evil view" of Zoroastrianism, and you can also see the remaining tombs after excavation. The A area of the cemetery has a very well-preserved cemetery group, with two circles of pebbles clearly visible. Tourists can feast their eyes and guess how brilliant the world civilization once stood on this distant plateau world, mysterious and fascinating. Some cultural relics are displayed in the Kashgar Museum. Transportation information: Self-driving, chartered, and public transportation are all available from Kashgar to Taxian. The off-season public transportation (business car) is 120 per person. After arriving in Taxian, you can choose to take a car or take a taxi in the city. Food and accommodation information: As a popular tourist area in Kashgar, Taxian has very complete food and accommodation, you can book it yourself. Other matters: At present, Jilzan Kalle is an unopened area, you can communicate with the Cultural Tourism Bureau before going, or use a drone to tour. The north of Taxian is the Pamir Scenic Demonstration Area, where drones can fly up to 1km high, which is very suitable for aerial photography.