If you are a history buff particularly interested in the ancient Silk Road these ruins will demand your attention. There is much to be learned and appreciated from among the ruins.
Dher5
Lonely planet seems to mention this as an aside. Well worth the visit, the setting alone means the ruins are juxtaposed quite beautifully.
DenzilW
An absolutely incredible place. Much much less touristy than other Chinese desert cities like Jiahoe. It's a bit of a one to get to. Kuqa is off the beaten track but is on the main rail line between Kashgar and Urumqi. And then a taxi ride from Kuqa, 25km North-West of Kuqa. But if you do get there you'll have the place to yourself like we did. The site is split into East and West bank by the Kuqa river.You arrive from the approach track on the West side where the main remains are. Unfortunately due to melt-waters and the level of the Kuqa river, we couldn't get to some of the smaller remains on the East Bank. The city reached it's peak in the 6th-8th century so is very very old. After then it declined and was abandoned in the 13th century. Given that it's incredible that what has survived has survived. The main temple on the West bank is the pick of the remains. There are also some incredible buddha niche caves.So, overall, a big recommend for this one.