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Hami: A City of History on the Silk Road
It is said that Gaisi was a Islamic missionary coming to China to spread
Islam during the Tang Dynasty (618-917 AD). He died in Xingxingxia and King Hami
built a tomb for him. In 1945, Muslims in Hami donated funds to move Gaisi's
remaining bones to the current tomb. It is said that Gaisi was taller than
average people and respected as "Sage" after his death. While his remaining
bones were removed, Muslims welcomed along the road.
I arrived in Gaisi's tomb in the evening. There is a small courtyard house in
front of the tomb where a Uygur family live. The lady asked us to buy tickets
which is RMB 6 for each. The tomb, surrounded by thriving trees, is a typical
Islamic style. The lady said her family began to live here since her
grandparents. The ticket income, which the local cultural heritage
administration distributes to her by a certain proportion, is her family's
living source. It seems that that ancient missionary left not only the impact of
Islam on local politics, culture and religion but also a means of living.
Before I left, the lady's daughter came back from school. She spoke fluent mandarin
and you can only tell her Uygur blood from her deep eye sockets.
Mingsha (sand-resounding) Hill
Mingsha Hill, 70 kilometers away from Hami, is
surrounded by high mountains and the dunes move from northwest to southeast.
Because of water evaporation, a steam resonant box is formed. When people slide
down from the hill top, sounds are produced and thus the hill is so named.
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