Emin Minaret

The Emin Minaret, also called the Sugong Ta, is an 18th-century brick minaret in the Turpan area of Xinjiang, China, constructed by the local leader Emin Khoja. It dates to the late 1770s and is notable for its height and patterned brick decoration.

The cylindrical tower rises from a square base into a fluted shaft decorated with geometric motifs, reaching roughly 44 metres in height. It stands beside a small mosque and courtyard and is one of the best-preserved examples of Islamic architecture in the region.

Built as both a religious structure and a memorial, the minaret has been a local landmark since the Qing period and is often photographed for its distinctive form against the arid landscape of the Turpan basin.

Geographically the minaret is located in the Turpan prefecture of Xinjiang, within the oasis region east of Urumqi and accessible from the city of Turpan.

• Founding and scale: Erected by the local Muslim leader Emin Khoja in the late 18th century as a memorial to his son, it is the tallest historic minaret in the region around Turpan.
• Setting: Located adjacent to a small mosque and courtyard complex, the minaret remains a visible landmark of Turpan’s old townscape.

What to See#

• Minaret: A freestanding brick minaret built in 1777-1778; reaches about 44 metres in height and is noted for its intricate geometric brickwork.

• Visit in the cooler early morning or late afternoon to avoid Turpan's daytime heat and to get better light on the minaret's glazed-brick decoration.
• Combine the Emin Minaret with nearby Turpan attractions such as the Grape Valley, Jiaohe ruins and the local museum for a full-day circuit rather than returning to the same area separately.
• Expect a short walk from the roadside; allow time to view the minaret from multiple angles as the architecture is best appreciated by circling the base.