📜 About & history
The Emin Minaret, also called the Sugong Tower, was built in 1777 to honour the Turpan general Emin Khoja, who had allied with the Qing against the Dzungars and was made hereditary governor of Turpan. It was paid for by his second son Suleman — 'Su' for Suleman and 'Gong' meaning duke — giving the Chinese name Sugong Ta. At 44 metres it is the tallest minaret in China and the largest surviving ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang, built of sun-dried brick laid in geometric patterns, with 72 internal steps spiralling to the top. The minaret adjoins a large mosque that is still in use, with a prayer hall holding more than a thousand worshippers.
🕌 Prayer & visiting
The adjoining mosque remains active with daily prayers and a Friday congregation; the tower and grounds are a ticketed heritage site by day.
📍 Address
🇨🇳 Inside China use Baidu or Amap; Google Maps needs a VPN.
🚇 How to reach the mosque
About 2 km east of central Turpan; local buses and taxis run to the site from the town centre — confirm route numbers locally.
From the town centre head east toward Munar Village; the 44-metre tapering brick minaret is visible from a distance and marks the mosque.
Roughly 2 km east of central Turpan, about a 10-minute taxi ride from the town centre.
A historic Qing-era monument and working mosque, and Turpan's signature landmark; dress modestly and respect worshippers. To ask a driver to take you there, say: 请带我去苏公塔