Royal Temple, Subashi

Near Kuqa, in Xinjiang
Silk Road Map

The ancient city of Subashi, now a desert ruin, is a large Buddhist monastic complex located 30km (19mi) north of Kuqa. It was occupied from Han times, and abandoned during the Islamic period (12th century AD). In the Tang dynasty it was visited by the great Buddhist traveling monk, Xuanzong.

The archaeological site extends for more than half a kilometer on either side of the Kuqa river. Since it has never been formally published, these is less reliable information about it than one would like. The structure seen here, sometimes called the "Royal Temple," was a vihara (monastic compound) under the patronage of the rulers of Kuqa.