The Emin Minaret stands by the Uyghur Mosque located in Turfan, Xinjiang, China. At 44 meters (144 ft) it is the tallest minaret in China. The Qing Dynasty conquered this largely Muslim region in the 1750s by defeating the Mongols and the Uyghurs with their superior weaponry in a series of battles. As conquerors, they ruled the local population with a light hand and were tolerant of the Muslim religion.
The minaret was started in 1777 during the reign of the Qing Emperor Qianlong (1735–1796) and was completed only one year later. It was financed by local leaders and built to honor the exploits of a local Turfan general, Emin Khoja, hence the name "Emin". The Emin Minaret is located along the ancient Silk Route (near the ancient Uyghur capital of Gaochang).