Upon entering the Xiangfei Garden in Xinjiang, the first thing that usually catches the eye is the central dome. The blue-green glazed bricks gleam under the intense Kashgar sunlight, and the four corner pillars elongate the building's silhouette. Many people standing here, however, are reminded of Xiangfei from the TV series "Princess Pearl," dressed in white feathers and capable of attracting butterflies.
This association has a small historical root, but it also incorporates a great deal of dramatic embellishment. The true core of Xiangfei Garden is Apak Khoja Mazar, a 17th-century mausoleum complex of the Khoja family. The Qing Dynasty concubine Rongfei, the legendary Fragrant Concubine, Hanxiang from the TV series "Princess Pearl," and Yaqub Beg, who controlled southern Xinjiang in the 19th century, all had connections to this place, but these four threads cannot be considered as a single historical event.
The "Tomb of Xiangfei" in Kashgar is a popular tourist name; its official names are commonly Apak Khoja Mazar, Apak Khoja Tomb, or Apak Khoja Mazar. The main body of the mausoleum belongs to the Khoja family, and Qing Dynasty records confirm that Consort Rong was buried in the Eastern Qing Tombs in Hebei. Yaqub Beg's remains were sent to Kashgar after his death, but a clearly identifiable tomb of Yaqub Beg is no longer visible today.
Between the Fragrant Concubine in "My Fair Princess," the historical Consort Rong, and the Fragrant Concubine's Tomb in Kashgar, lies a folk legend and a theatrical adaptation.
Who is truly buried in the Tomb of Fragrant Concubine?
Apak Khoja MazarLocated northeast of Kashgar city, "Mazar" is a term for a cemetery or sacred site. Originally a complex of tombs for Sufi religious leaders and members of the Khoja family, the main structure gradually took shape in the mid-17th century. The Encyclopedia of China lists it as the Aba-Hoja family cemetery; the existing buildings, besides the tombs, also include spaces for worship and preaching.
The scenic area's name prominently features "Fragrant Concubine," easily leading people to mistakenly believe that the entire mausoleum was built specifically for Emperor Qianlong's concubine. The problem is evident from the dates: when the mausoleum complex was formed, Consort Rong had not yet been born. This place carries the religious and local history of the Khoja family; the story of Xiangfei is merely a later layer of tourism narrative attached to it.
Where did Hanxiang from "My Fair Princess" come from?
The TV series "My Fair Princess" portrays Consort Xiang as a woman from Xinjiang with a unique fragrance, and includes a love story between her and Meng Dan. These plot points are theatrical creations, and reliable historical evidence cannot be found to support her transformation into a butterfly, elopement, or natural body fragrance.
The historical prototype closest to the character is Consort Rong, a concubine of Emperor Qianlong, and Lady Zhuo. According to...The Palace Museum's archives on Consort RongConsort Rong was born in 1734. After entering the palace, she was successively granted the titles of Noble Lady, Consort Rong, and Imperial Concubine Rong. The palace arranged for her to eat in accordance with religious and lifestyle customs, and she accompanied Emperor Qianlong on many of his tours.
Consort Rong died at the Yuanmingyuan in 1788. Her golden coffin was moved to the Eastern Qing Tombs in the same year, and she was buried in the Consort Cemetery of the Yu Mausoleum on September 25.The Palace Museum's introduction to the Yuling Consort CemeteryConsort Rong was also buried here. The Kashgar Fragrant Concubine Tomb reflects local legends, family memories, and tourism naming, and cannot be used to replace the Qing Dynasty palace burial records.
This won't diminish the attraction of the site. Knowing that Xiangfei is a fictional character actually adds depth to the tomb: the TV series introduced a generation of viewers to "Xiangfei," while Kashgar preserves the family, religious, and local background that gave rise to this legend.
Why is Yaqub Beg also connected to this place?
In the latter half of the 19th century, Yaqub Beg established a regime controlling several cities in southern Xinjiang, with Kashgar as its important political center. The Apak Khoja family held religious prestige in the area, and his connection with this mazar (shrine) had a clear political connotation.
Yaqub Beg died in 1877, though the exact location and cause of death vary among different historical sources. Common Chinese accounts point to Yanqi, while some contemporary English records state he died in Korla. British author Burger published his book in 1878...The Life of Yaqub BegAccording to the Turkestan Gazette, the body was transported from Korla to Kashgar and was originally intended to be placed in the Apak Khoja Mausoleum.
Another early English source mentions that Yaqub Beg built schools, mosques, and religious sites around the Mazar. This suggests that he may have been involved in expanding the complex surrounding the mausoleum, which predates his regime by about two hundred years. There is no reliably verified, well-preserved, and identifiable "Yaqub Beg Tomb" at the site. The claim that his tomb was disposed of after the Qing army recaptured Kashgar is found in later historical records. Today, what tourists can see are the sites that are historically related to him, and it is impossible to directly identify a particular tomb as his remains.
What should you see at Xiangfei Garden?
The most recognizable features of the Fragrant Concubine Garden are the mausoleum's dome, colorful glazed bricks, and four corner pillars. Upon entering the tomb chamber, the view narrows from the grand exterior to the neatly arranged family tombs. This spatial shift is crucial, reminding visitors that what lies before them is a family mausoleum and religious complex, while the theatrical performances and the story of Fragrant Concubine outside are part of the narrative that emerged later within the scenic area.
Three questions to consider during your visit: For whom was this mausoleum originally built? Where is Consort Rong's actual burial place? What existing religious resources did Yaqub Beg utilize to strengthen the legitimacy of his rule? By following these three lines of inquiry, Xiangfei Garden will transform from a photo spot into an entry point for understanding the changes in Kashgar's history over the past three centuries.
The scenic area may arrange welcoming or themed performances; the number of shows, ticket prices, and opening hours are subject to change, so please check the announcements for the day or ask your accommodation for assistance before departure. Tombs and worship spaces have religious attributes, so dress neatly. Before photographing people, tombs, or religious activities, please confirm the on-site regulations.
If you start from Kashgar Old City, you can schedule the Xiangfei Garden at the beginning of a half-day trip, and then return to the Old City for a leisurely stroll. Placing both places on the same day will allow you to see two completely different Kashgar: the Old City showcases the streets in continuous life, while the Xiangfei Garden superimposes family, faith, empire, and memories from TV dramas onto the same architectural complex.
Before leaving, take one last look at that blue-green dome. It's related to Xiangfei, but that connection comes from later stories; it's also related to Yaqub Beg, but what remains are traces of politics and death. Only when these boundaries are clearly defined can the Xiangfei Garden truly begin to be beautiful.
Related FAQs
Is Xiangfei really buried in the Xiangfei Tomb in Kashgar?
Did the character Hanxiang from "My Fair Princess" actually exist?
Can you see Yaqub Beg's tomb in Xiangfei Garden?
