Lost City Vibes: Jiaohe Ruins Are Straight Up Epic

#chinatravel Jiaohe Ruins totally blew my mind. Tucked away near Turpan in Xinjiang, it’s basically this ancient city made entirely from clay, just chilling out on a massive island of earth between two rivers. Walking through it feels like stepping into a time machine, like, people lived here over 2,000 years ago, and you can still see the streets, houses, temples, and even a government complex. Wild. The place is huge and super open, so you can just wander around at your own pace. The desert backdrop and wide skies add to the whole post-apocalyptic, lost city feel (in the coolest way possible). It’s peaceful, quiet, and honestly kind of magical. I went early in the morning and had the place almost to myself, amazing light, zero crowds, and all the ancient vibes. If you’re in the Turpan area, Jiaohe is a total must-see. It’s historical, dramatic, and super photogenic. You’ll leave feeling like you just explored a real life movie set. Loved every second.