A scorching Silk Road oasis in a depression below sea level, Turpan is China's grape and raisin capital — a place of vine-shaded streets, ancient ruined cities and an ingenious underground irrigation system.
History & culture
A key Silk Road stop for two millennia, Turpan watered its fields with karez tunnels carrying snowmelt from distant mountains. The ruined cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang record its Buddhist and Uyghur past.
What to see & do
- ◆Jiaohe Ruins, an ancient city carved from an island plateau
- ◆Gaochang Ruins and the Bezeklik cave temples
- ◆The Karez underground canal museum
- ◆Grape Valley's vine-shaded lanes
- ◆The 'Flaming Mountains' of red sandstone
What to eat
- ●Sun-dried raisins and fresh grapes
- ●Lamb kebabs and nan bread
- ●Hand-pulled laghman noodles
Getting there
Turpan has a high-speed rail station on the Lanzhou–Urumqi line and is an easy day or overnight trip from Urumqi.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Summer is among the hottest places in China (40°C+) — visit ruins at dawn or dusk.
- Bring your passport for Xinjiang ID checkpoints.
- Sun and shade swing extreme; carry water, a hat and sunscreen everywhere.
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