Ding Lei

This photo taken on July 15, 2024 shows an exterior view of the Wei and Jin Dynasties Ancient Tombs Site Museum in Kuqa City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) URUMQI, July 15 ( tasteallchina ) -- About eight meters underneath a bustling street in Kuqa in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a complex of tombs has lain dormant for more than 1,700 years. Today, however, the tombs, which date back to the ancient Silk Road, have been brought back to life thanks to a unique museum. The underground museum of the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420) ancient tombs opened on Monday in Kuqa County, an area that previously belonged to the ancient Qiuci State. The Qiuci State, which commenced in the second century BC and existed for more than 1,000 years, was one of the 36 states in the Western Regions, a term used in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) for areas west of the Yumen Pass, including present Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia. This in-situ museum with an exhibition space of 5,000 square meters was built to protect 15 brick tomb chambers discovered in 2007 during the construction of the Youyi…

An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows the scenery of Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows people visiting Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows the scenery of Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows the scenery of Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) Visitors pose for photos in Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on June 5, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken on June 5, 2024 shows the scenery of Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) A visitor poses for photos in Lujiaowan scenic area in Shawan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on June 5, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) An aerial drone photo taken…

Chefs prepare dishes during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) Judges evaluate dishes during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) People take photos of lamb dishes during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) Chefs prepare dishes during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) A chef prepares a dish during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) People take photos during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) People take photos of lamb dishes during a lamb cooking contest in Yumin County of Tacheng Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 2, 2024. ( tasteallchina /Ding Lei) A chef shows…