Turpan吐鲁番

Overview

Located in central Xinjiang in an intermontane basin of the eastern Tianshan Mountains, Turpan is China's lowest city at -154 meters above sea level. Known as the 'Land of Fire,' summer surface temperatures can exceed 70°C, yet it produces the world's sweetest grapes. A vital Silk Road hub where Eastern and Western civilizations met, it left behind numerous historical sites including the ruins of Jiaohe and Gaochang. The ancient karez underground irrigation system is a marvel of human ingenuity.

Key Facts

Top Attractions

Flaming Mountain

The setting of the 'Journey to the West' story, with red-hued mountains where summer surface temperatures exceed 70°C.

Grape Valley

A cool oasis in the Flaming Mountain growing over 100 grape varieties, with streams and intertwining vines.

Jiaohe Ruins

The world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architecture city ruin, former capital of Cheshi Kingdom.

Karez Folk Park

Showcasing the karez, one of China's three great ancient projects alongside the Great Wall and Grand Canal.

Gaochang Ruins

Ruins of a key Western Regions city from the Han to Yuan dynasties, where Xuanzang once lectured for a month.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Buddhist grottoes in the Flaming Mountain canyon carved from the Southern-Northern to Yuan dynasties, with 83 caves.

Food & Snacks

Turpan Grapes

Famous for seedless white grapes with sugar content up to 22-24% — thin-skinned, crisp, and honey-sweet.

Pilaf (Shouzhua Fan)

A traditional Uyghur dish of braised lamb, carrots, onions, and rice — glossy, fragrant, and nutritious.

Roast Whole Lamb

Xinjiang's most iconic banquet dish — local sheep roasted over fruitwood charcoal with golden crispy skin and juicy meat.

Nang (Uyghur Flatbread)

A daily Uyghur staple — round baked flatbread in many varieties that keeps for weeks, the traditional travel food of the Silk Road.

Festivals & Events

World & Intangible Heritage

• Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (2014) — Inscribed in 2014, with Jiaohe Ruins, Gaochang Ruins, and Tuyugou Grottoes as key components.
• Uyghur Muqam Art (2005) — A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, Uyghur Muqam is a grand classical music suite integrating songs, dance, and instrumental music. Turpan is one of the important inheritance sites of Muqam art.
• Karez Well Construction Technique (2014) — A national-level intangible cultural heritage, karez is a unique underground irrigation system in Xinjiang consisting of vertical wells, underground channels, and open channels, reflecting the extraordinary wisdom of Western Regions people in water conservation.
• Uyghur Molded Pottery Firing Technique (2008) — A national-level intangible cultural heritage, Uyghur molded pottery combines hand-shaping and mold-printing with mineral glazes, featuring primitive forms and exquisite patterns — an artistic treasure along the Silk Road.

Practical Tips