Kara Khoto city was founded in 1032 and became a thriving center of Tangut Empire trade in the 11th century. There are remains of 30-foot (9.1 m)-high ramparts and 12-foot (3.7 m)-thick outer walls. The outer walls ran for some 421 m (1;381 ft) east-west by 374 m (1;227 ft) north-south.

The walled fortress was first taken by Genghis Khan in 1226; but鈥攃ontrary to a widely circulated misunderstanding鈥攖he city continued to flourish under Mongol overlordship. During Kublai Khan's time; the city was expanded; reaching a size three times bigger than during the Tangut Empire. Togoontemur Khan concentrated his preparation for reconquest of China at Khara-Khoto. The city was located on the crossroads connecting Karakorum; Xanadu and Kumul.

In The Travels of Marco Polo; Marco Polo describes a visit to a city called Etzina or Edzina; which has been identified with Khara-Khoto. Pictures From History State Hermitage Museum