The ancient city ruins of Milan in Ruoqiang county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, are a well-preserved complex from the Western Han (206 BC-AD 24) to the Tang (618-907) dynasties.
The site sits at the intersection of Lop Nur, a former salt lake that has largely dried up, and the Altun Mountains. According to the official guide, it was once a key gateway along the southern routes of the ancient Silk Road and an important stronghold from which central Chinese dynasties could govern. The name Xiyu, meaning western regions, represents present-day Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia.
Milan was an oasis city of the ancient Kingdom of Loulan during the Western Han Dynasty. It declined from the Tang Dynasty onward under the rule of the Tibetan Tubo regime (618-842).
The archaeological site includes a Tang garrison fort and ruins from the Wei (220-265) and Jin (265-420) dynasties. It includes stupas and temple remains, as well as city remnants and an irrigation canal system dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). The area spans 11.4 kilometers east to west and 4 km north to south.
Milan holds great value for the study of ancient politics, economy, military affairs, culture and folk customs from the Han to Tang dynasties. It is key for research on East-West cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. Tuntian — meaning the practice of having garrison troops or peasants open up wasteland to grow grain — is one area of research; others include Buddhism and art.
