# Loulan Ancient City (楼兰古城)

Bayingolin, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/loulan-ancient-city
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Time needed:** 1 day
- **Address:** 7 km from the south bank of the Kongque River, Ruoqiang County, Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
- **Getting there:** Take a bus from Korla to Ruoqiang or to Regiment 36 (36团), then charter a vehicle to enter the reserve. Before entering, you must complete cultural relic management procedures at the Ruoqiang County Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and you usually need to join a tour group. A chartered vehicle costs several thousand yuan, including the car fare, a guide, and a ¥3,500 cultural relic protection fee.
- **Good for:** History & Culture

## About Loulan Ancient City

At the ruins of the Loulan Kingdom, which vanished suddenly between the 4th and 5th centuries, there are traces of human activity dating back 10,000 years. This mysterious ancient kingdom has left many abandoned ancient cities along the Tarim River and in the Taklamakan Desert, along with countless enigmas that remain unsolved. Famous sites in the region include Luntai Ancient City, ancient tomb clusters, the Qiemo ruins, ancient beacon towers, and ancient rock paintings.

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Loulan ruins: This is a national-level cultural heritage protection area. Visits must be arranged in advance with a local travel agency and the cultural heritage protection authority.
- 2. Self-driving: The route from Korla in Xinjiang to Loulan Ancient City is about 800 km and takes around 15 hours.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 877. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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