He Qiannan
This is a county town with a story, the tombs and museums carry a strong cultural heritage, and the legends left by the long years hide the truth of history;
Hot water tombs. Photo by Ma Mingyan
This is a county town with a history, traces of ancient cultural remains are imprinted between the sand dunes and tattooed on shells;
Great view of Touraine. Photo by Zhang Jiyuan
This is a county town with a soul, and the March wind is still alive, blowing through the golden meadows and the ends of cattle and sheep, and the animals are reveling here...
Wildlife Sightseeing Park. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
This is Dulan County, known as the "oasis" of Qaidam, "Dulan" is Mongolian, meaning "warm", located in the southeast corner of the world-famous Qaidam Basin, and the ancient silk road passes through the whole territory from east to west.
Arak Lake, Duran County. Photo by Cui Chunqi
In the long history of 3000,<> years, Dulan was the main pastoral area of the Western Qiang ancestors, and it was also the main activity center of the Tuyuhun Kingdom, which occupied an important position in Chinese history, and was also the jurisdiction of the Tubo Dynasty. The Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties were the neighbors of Western Mongolia and Shuote after they entered Qinghai, so the ancient culture of Duran is a unique cultural heritage in China.
Tomb No. 1 of the Hot Water Tomb Group. Photo by Ma Mingyan
Let us enter this county with curiosity, yearning, and a heart of courage to explore, have a journey of seeking seclusion, and feel the unique beauty of Duran in the secret place and ruins.
Aerial photograph of the environment of the hot water cemetery group in Dulan County. Photo by Ma Mingyan
Explore the "Nine-Story Demon Pagoda"
On the Duran Blood Wei steppe, there is the No. 1 tomb of the hot water tomb group, known locally as the "nine-story demon tower", and legends and stories also give this tomb a lot of mystery, attracting tourists to come and explore.
Touraine Hot Water Tombs. Photo courtesy of Touraine County Tourism Office
The real tomb, the sealed mound is 11 meters high, 55 meters long from east to west, 37 meters wide from north to south, backed by a mountain of hot water, overlooking the Khan Wusu River, about 30 meters above the ground, looking as majestic as a city.
Duran Hot Water Ancient Tomb. Photo courtesy of Touraine County Tourism Office
Once upon a time, many holes were made in the tall tombs, such as marmots, birds and rodents. Every time the wind blows, there is a strange noise in the tomb, and the strange sound is faint. It is both tall and terrifying, and is known as the "nine-story demon tower".
"Nine-story demon building". Photo courtesy of Touraine County Tourism Office
Since no excavations of the tombs were completed between 1980 and 1982, only three floors were excavated, and the claim of nine floors is still questionable.
Nowadays, only one of the three layers remains, but a fragment of the text brocade found in the tomb by archaeologists has been confirmed by palaeography scientists at the University of Göttingen in Germany as the Brahma script of the Sassanid Dynasty of Persia, which is the only confirmed eighth-century Persian script brocade in the world.
Gold containers and ornaments unearthed from the 2018 Bloody Wei No. <> Tomb of Qinghai Dulan Hot Water Tomb Group. Photo courtesy of the Joint Archaeological Team of Hot Water
In 1996, the tomb was rated as one of the top ten archaeological discoveries in the country and a national key cultural relic protection unit.
Artifacts unearthed in the Hot Water Tombs. Photo by He Qiannan
In recent years, archaeologists have interpreted many historical suspense through the excavation and research of the ancient tomb complex of Durán. It can be said that the 550-year cultural history of the Tuyuhun Dynasty and the Tubo Dynasty in the Dulan region remains in the tomb.
2018 Tomb No. <> of Blood. Photo by Ma Mingyan
In 2020, the "2018 Bloody Wei No. 2018 Tomb" next to the "Nine-Story Demon Pagoda" was rated as one of the top ten archaeological new discoveries in China of the year. "<> Blood Wei No. <> Tomb" is also one of the high-grade tombs with the most complete layout, clearest structure and most complex shape found in the hot water tomb group and even on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
2018 Tomb No. <> of Blood. Photo by Ma Mingyan
The gold ornaments of human heads and crow's feet unearthed in the tomb and the floating ribbons behind the neck ornaments of the figures are typical Persian Sassanid decorative patterns.
In addition, conchs, uncharred grape seeds, glass, agate, pearls, and corals were found around the coffin and altar of the main burial chamber, which came from Kang, Tocharian, Persia, Lion and even farther Mediterranean regions, witnessing the long history of cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, West Asia and Europe.
Artifacts unearthed in the Hot Water Tombs. Photo by He Qiannan
In March, the bloody grassland has not yet seen green, and more than 3 sealed tombs on the grassland, hiding secrets from many years ago, quietly sleep on this land.
Aerial photograph of the environment of the hot water cemetery group in Dulan County. Photo by Ma Mingyan
Explore shell beams
Located about 30 kilometers north of the town of Zongga in Dulan County, the shell beam is a blue-white embankment beam that looks like a "strange fish" lying in the desert from a distance.
About 100 million years ago, the Qaidam Basin was still an ancient sea, the Gutetis Sea, with the drift and squeeze of the Eurasian plate, the Himalayas uplifted the Asian backbone, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau rose, the Qaidam Basin and the surrounding geological faults, hundreds of millions of shells, stacked on top of each other, forming a two-kilometer-long mountain beam.
Shell beams. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
The shells are condensed with saline-containing sediment, layered and varied, and are the largest paleontological strata found in the Chinese mainland basin so far.
Shell beams. Photo by Zhao Rinsong
It was originally an ancient sea with vast blue water, but now, the ancient sea has receded and the land has risen. The shell beam is the traces of the ancient sea and the best witness of the vicissitudes of the sea.
Explore the Nomuhong Cultural Site
Touraine has a long history and is an ancient and mysterious land. Humans thrived here as early as the Bronze Age 2900,<> years ago.
The cultural relics and peculiar architectural sites unearthed at the Tavinta Tharha site of the "Nomuhong Culture" confirm that the ancestors who lived here created the early Qaidam civilization.
The picture comes from Qinghai Archaeology Public Account
The Charyamakob site is also a site of the Nomuhong culture discovered in the Third Census of Chinese Cultural Relics, dating from around 1400 BC to 1050 BC.
The Sheryamarcob site is not only the largest and most functional known to date, but also the only typical Nomukhon cultural settlement with both a settlement and a cemetery.
Artifacts unearthed in the Hot Water Tombs. Photo by He Qiannan
At present, excavations in the site area and the burial area are proceeding in an orderly manner. Remains were found to include stone walls, urn coffins, ash piles, etc., and unearthed relics include pottery chips, stone tools, bone tools, woolen fabrics, etc., and there are painted pottery in the pottery pieces. Tombs were found in the burial area, and relics such as pottery chips and sea shells were unearthed.
They travel through vast volumes of history to tell us stories from thousands of years ago!
Drone aerial photograph of the Touraine landscape. Photo by Wang Jianjun
Explore the Touraine County Museum
The Duran County Museum is a comprehensive exhibition, a museum that combines history and modernity, highlighting the history and culture of Touraine as a whole, and walking into the museum will be a new experience.
In the form of exhibition panels and sand tables, the tube shows the history and culture of Duran County, the geographical location of Duran County, the four adjacent sides, the seat of the county government, traffic roads, major ancient tomb groups, ruins, animals, plants and mineral distribution resources.
Zhang Jiguang, director of the Dulan County Museum, introduced the Hot Water Tomb Group 2018 Bloody Wei No. <> Tomb. Photo by Ma Mingyan
Stone tools, pottery, wood, gold and silverware, silk and other historical relics are the precious culture precipitated by the thousands of years of history of Nomuhong culture, Tuyuhun and Tubo, and lead us to touch the pulse of history.
Artifacts unearthed in the Hot Water Tombs. Photo by He Qiannan
The physical exhibits of Dedu Mongolia, such as wood, leather products, and daily necessities, show the gorgeous expression and soul of Touran, which has a unique flavor due to the nature of the region, and has more artistic charm and local charm.
Artifacts unearthed in the Hot Water Tombs. Photo by He Qiannan
Enter the Dulan County Museum, feel the charm of the history and culture of Dulan County and various art works, and trace the trajectory of Dulan historical and cultural changes.
In addition to the spectacular Tuyuhun Tubo ancient tombs, the historic Nomuhong ancient cultural site, the mysterious shell beam, and rich natural landscapes are waiting for everyone.
The two rivers are now "distinct". Photo by Ma Mingyan
The lakes, wetlands, and swamps in the region collide with the Gobi, desert, and Yadan landforms, seemingly lifeless but vibrant, hiding endless excitement and expectation...
Shangerde River, Touraine County. Photo by Ma Mingyan
grassland
Duran Qurigang grassland. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
Duranzolan Grassland Scenic Area. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
Sea temple flower sea
Sea temple flower sea. Photo by Mo Jiayin
A corner of the steppe. Photo by Mo Jiayin
Yadan tribe
Cole columnar joint volcanic landforms. Photo by Mei Sheng
Summer icefall
Duran Kaushotu summer icefall. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
Hot water spa
Touraine hot spring springs. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
Wildlife Sightseeing Park
Snow leopard lying on a rock. Photo by Lamauje
Lake Arak
The majestic Arak Lake is as clear as the sky. Photo by Dai Chun
The many tributaries of Arak Lake are constantly lapping against the red riverbed, like a jasper mirror dancing red ribbons. Photo by Chai Dicheng
Panchen Walks
Panchen Walks. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center
Panchen Walks. Photo by He Qiannan
Touraine is ready for you to come here to lay down your baggage and find the home of your soul.
The Milky Way above the mouth of the Sea Temple in Dulan County. Photo courtesy of Duran County Media Center