Astana Ancient Tombs features 500 tombs. Since 1959, archaeologists have carried out 13 archaeological excavations and cleared nearly 400 tombs from the Western Jin Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty. The paintings found in the tombs include murals, prints, paper paintings, silk paintings, and linen paintings. The contents in the paintings can be divided into figure paintings, flower and bird paintings, and astronomical maps. The archaeologists also discovered clay sculptures, silk flowers, old coins, stone ware, jewels, painted pots, silk, wool, cotton, linen, daily necessities, etc. In addition, more than 2,000 documents the contents of which cover all aspects of social life such as politics, economy, military affairs and culture have been excavated. Hundreds of thousands of ancient mummies in the tombs are precious human specimens that study the ethnic and national characteristics of Xinjiang residents in history.
Nowadays, 3 tombs are open to the public. You can see 2 mummies in one tomb. In the other 2 tombs, you could appreciate the amazing murals. For your reference, it is forbidden to take photos in the tombs. It takes you enough courage to visit the tombs as it is dark and a little cold in the tombs.