Oasis Town - Turpan Attractions in Xinjiang
Known as the oasis town along the Silk Road, Turpan is a fantastic tourist spot. With fertile land, it rests in the heart of the desert regions of Xinjiang.
Turpan attractions include its unique landscapes, abundant historic relics, and tasty Xinjiang cuisine. All making it a must-go when you travel to Xinjiang or along the Silk Road.
Preparing for your tours China - Xinjiang? Read the following information about Turpan attractions and delicious Xinjiang cuisine.
Here are the most popular Turpan attractions that are worth your time visiting:
The Natural Wonders of Turpan
Turpan is an oasis town nestled in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, and is surrounded by some of the most striking natural wonders. These landscapes not only offer breathtaking views but also carry deep cultural and mythological significance. Among these are the Flaming Mountains, the Grape Valley, and Aiding Lake, each contributing to the unique charm of Turpan.
The Flaming Mountains
The view over the reddish-orange hill of the Flaming Mountains is a sight to behold. Their name derives from the intense heat waves that ripple off their surfaces, creating a mirage of flames dancing across the hills. This natural phenomenon is not only a spectacle of nature’s beauty but also holds a place in Chinese mythology, famously featured in the classic novel "Journey to the West."
Visiting Tips: The best time of the day to visit the Flaming Mountains is during sunrise or sunset. During these times, the sun’s rays paint the hills in vibrant hues of orange and red, enhancing their flame-like appearance. The cooler temperatures during these hours also make for a more comfortable viewing experience. Remember to bring your camera, as the interplay of light and shadow creates a breathtaking spectacle that's worth capturing.
The Grape Valley
Rich in loads of grapes, Turpan is known as the hometown of grapes in China. The Grape Valley is a top attraction in Turpan and is highly recommended by other travelers.
As a green and highly cultivated valley in the Flaming Mountains, the Grape Valley is a peaceful haven and a welcoming place for visitors.
Clusters of crystal-like grapes hanging on the dense vines, the vineyards provide you with leisure spots and excellent grapes.
Taste fresh grapes, and drink fruit juices and wines while walking around the vineyard it can relax you.
Exploring the Valley: Visitors can walk through the shaded vine trellises, taste the sweet local grapes, and learn about the traditional methods of grape drying that produce some of the best raisins. The contrast between the desert's harshness and the valley's fertility underscores the resilience and adaptability of the local people.
Ayding Lake
The Ayding Lake is one of the renowned Turpan attractions when you travel to Xinjiang.
A dry lake with extremely hot and dry weather in the summer, the Aiding Lake is now used as a setting for extreme sports or hikes.
The dry lake bed is about 155 m. (about 508 ft.) below sea level. This makes it one of the world's lowest points after the Dead Sea.
Aydingkol Lake is nestled at one of the lowest points on Earth's surface, and presents a stark contrast to the lush Grape Valley. The lake is situated in a vast salt flat, offering a serene and otherworldly landscape that captivates visitors.
Features and Significance: Although largely dried up, the lake's presence is a reminder of the dramatic shifts in landscape that characterize the Turpan region. The surrounding salt flats and the lake’s remnants provide a unique ecosystem and an extraordinary panorama that contrasts sharply with the nearby verdant oasis.
Visiting Aiding Lake: The surreal beauty of the salt flats and the tranquility of the area make it a must-visit for those seeking to experience the full diversity of Turpan’s natural landscapes. The site also offers a unique opportunity for photography enthusiasts to capture the striking beauty of one of the planet's most extreme environments.
Historical Sites and Architectural Marvels of Turpan
Turpan's historical landscape is dotted with remnants of its storied past, where ancient ruins, religious art, and ingenious engineering converge. These sites not only showcase the architectural marvels of ancient civilizations but also reflect the cultural exchanges that occurred along the Silk Road. The Ancient City of Jiaohe, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, and the Karez Water System stand as testaments to the region's rich heritage.
The Ancient City of Jiaohe
Perched on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys, the Ancient City of Jiaohe is one of the best-preserved ruins of its kind in China. Dating back to the 2nd century BC and thriving until the 14th century, Jiaohe was a crucial junction on the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods, cultures, and ideas.
Historical Significance: The city's strategic location made it a focal point for trade and military campaigns. Its unique layout, with residential districts, government offices, and Buddhist stupas, offers insights into the life and organization of an ancient city.
What to Expect: Visitors can explore the vast network of streets, buildings, and underground temples, carved directly into the earth. The city’s ruins, including the well-preserved earthen structures, provide a vivid window into the past. Highlights include the Buddhist monasteries and stupas that hint at the once-thriving religious community here.
The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
Another famous Turpan attraction is the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. With ancient religious caves and shrines dating from about the year 400 to the year 1,300 ago, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is a holy spot for local people.
Artistic and Religious Importance: The caves are adorned with frescoes and murals that depict the life of Buddha, along with portraits of patrons and illustrations of Buddhist lore. These artworks reflect the cultural diversity of the region, showcasing influences from Indian, Chinese, and Central Asian Buddhist traditions.
Exploring the Caves: Visitors can marvel at the surviving murals, which, despite centuries of natural wear and human intervention, continue to display vivid colors and intricate details. The art provides a glimpse into the religious life, artistic styles, and cultural exchanges along the Silk Road.
The Gaochang Ruins
Gaochang Ruins is another valuable spot, which is the largest set of ancient city ruins ever found in the Western Regions.
The Gaochang Ruins, located near Turpan in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, are the remains of an ancient oasis city that thrived between the 1st and 14th centuries. Founded in the 1st century BC as a garrison town, Gaochang became a major trading hub on the Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and religions between the East and West.
Spread over an expansive area, the ruins include remnants of city walls, Buddhist temples, palaces, and residential areas, offering a glimpse into the city's historical significance and architectural ingenuity. Gaochang was a cultural melting pot, reflecting a blend of Chinese, Indian, and Persian influences, particularly in its Buddhist art and scriptures.
The city eventually fell into decline and was abandoned in the 14th century, leaving behind a fascinating archaeological site. Today, the Gaochang Ruins are a popular tourist attraction and a valuable site for historical and cultural research, providing insights into the life and times of an ancient Silk Road city. Visitors can explore the ruins on foot or by donkey cart, witnessing the scale and historical depth of this once-flourishing oasis city.
The Karez Water System
The Karez Water System is a testament to the ingenuity of ancient peoples in harnessing natural resources. This extensive underground irrigation network developed over 2,000 years ago, is crucial for agriculture and life in the arid environment of the Turpan Basin.
Engineering Significance: The Karez system consists of wells, underground channels, and small reservoirs, designed to tap into groundwater and direct it to the surface for irrigation. It represents one of the great ancient engineering feats, alongside the Great Wall and the Grand Canal in China.
Supporting Life in the Desert: By efficiently managing water resources, the Karez system supports vineyards, orchards, and crops, turning the desert landscape into fertile land. Visitors can learn about this ancient technology at the Karez Museum in Turpan and see parts of the system in action.
Other Turpan Attractions you need to visit
The graveyard, Astana Tombs, is the main site of Gacochang Ruins. The big graveyard holds about 1,000 tombs and all tombs have epigraphs and frescos. Two mummies and artworks can be seen, and evidence of lost cities and civilizations can be found in this place.
Tuyugou Valley is another famous Turpan attraction.
The vivid paintings and carvings in grottoes depict people of various races doing things together like playing music, standing, or doing Buddhist rituals, which attract visitors deeply.
What’s more, the place has really cool scenery including huge sand dunes that people can climb and take great pictures of the surrounding area. There are tall trees in the canyon of the grottoes.
Xinjiang Cuisine
Two Xinjiang cuisines that are recommended when you travel to Xinjiang are Big Plate Chicken, which is one of the most delicious recipes in all of Xinjiang.
The main materials are Chicken and potatoes. Rice Eaten with the Hands is a unique cuisine with fresh mutton, carrots, onions, vegetable oil, melted sheep's fat, and rice.
This food is soft, delicious and nutritious. It is a feature of festivals, funerals, and weddings. More Xinjiang cuisines like roast dumplings and Xinjiang kebabs are recommended when you travel to Xingjiang.
Turpan's cuisine is a testament to the region's history as a crossroads of the Silk Road. The local dishes, infused with flavors from various cultures, make dining in Turpan a unique culinary adventure.
Influence of the Silk Road: The variety in Turpan's cuisine reflects the blend of Chinese, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern influences, brought together by centuries of trade and cultural exchange. This fusion has created a culinary landscape that mirrors the diversity and richness of the Silk Road heritage.
Travel to Xinjiang during a festival
Travel to Xinjiang, where you can enjoy a unique culture. Folk music and dances impress travelers enormously.
The Grape Festival is one of the unique festivals in Xinjiang. Celebrated from Aug.18 to Aug. 28, the Grape Festival was first launched in 1990 and has since become an annual event in Turpan.
On the festival, a large-scale firework display with a singing and dancing gala mark the opening of the festival on the first night.
Events on the festival include a Wedding in the Uygur style, mashlap (lively and humorous folk dance), nazkum (witty art performance), Koco style songs and dances, Hami-melon competition, trade negotiations, a tour of the Street of Grapes and Melons.
Travel Tips and Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
Ideal Seasons: The best times to visit Turpan are during spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). These seasons offer relatively mild weather, making exploration of outdoor sites more comfortable. Turpan's desert climate results in hot summers with temperatures that can soar above 40°C (104°F) in July and August, while winters are cold and dry.
Getting There and Around
Reaching Turpan: Turpan is accessible by air, train, and road. The nearest airport is located in Ürümqi, from where you can take a train or bus to Turpan. The city also has a high-speed train station, linking it to various parts of China, making train travel a convenient option.
Transportation Within Turpan: Once in Turpan, the options for getting around include buses, taxis, and rented bicycles. For more flexibility, consider hiring a car or joining a guided tour to explore the attractions, especially those located outside the city center.
Visit Turpan, the oasis town of Xinjiang, the treasure full of natural splendors, historical wonders, and culinary delights, making it a compelling stop on the Silk Road journey. From the amazing view of the Flaming Mountains to the serenity of the Grape Valley, and from the depths of Aydingkol Lake to the ancient echoes of Jiaohe, Bezeklik Caves, and Gaochang Ruins, Turpan offers a rich tapestry of experiences. As you plan your adventure through China's enchanting landscapes, let Turpan's unique blend of culture, history, and nature guide your way. Embrace the warmth of Uygur hospitality, savor the flavors of Silk Road cuisine, and step into a world where every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. Turpan invites you to explore its secrets and promises a journey filled with unforgettable memories.