Things to do in Turpan

There were so many people visiting during the National Day holiday. 90% of the grapes had already been harvested; the remaining 10% were quite unique. However, the sightseeing bus service was extremely chaotic, with pedestrians everywhere and no order whatsoever.

Its core visual impact lies in its crimson mountains, which from a distance truly resemble a fiery dragon lying across the Gobi Desert. Especially at dusk, when the setting sun casts its rays, the fiery red of the mountains is completely ignited, creating stunning photographs. The awe-inspiring nature of this landscape is unique, and it is difficult for other parts of Xinjiang to replicate this extreme desolate beauty where "not a blade of grass grows."

Open the door at dawn to a sunrise and desert view 🌅 No need to queue in the morning, you can ride a whole caravan of camels all to yourself 🐫 Play in the sand and practice your skills before the desert gets too hot The police in Xinjiang are very relaxed. There are police tea stalls at the entrance of scenic spots They will even help tourists take photos, shattering my preconceived notions about the police.

Jiaohe Ancient Village, nestled at the foot of the ancient city of Jiaohe, is a century-old village that retains its original Uyghur charm. The earthen houses are scattered among the trees, and the hollowed-out grape drying sheds stand quietly. The folk museum displays old earthen hoes, wooden molds, and antique utensils, completely recreating the life of the early inhabitants of the Turpan oasis. The alleyways replicate an old bazaar, and there are immersive folk performances where song, dance, and storytelling intertwine. If the ancient city of Jiaohe is a frozen millennium epic, then Jiaohe Ancient Village is the living flame of the Western Regions, perfectly preserving the aesthetics of life in the Silk Road oasis. The evening breeze wafts through the earthen walls, carrying the faint aroma of fruits; walking through it, one seems to touch the warm essence of this land.

Tuyugou, including Mazar Village and the Tuyugou Grottoes, features charming earthen houses. The Tuyugou Grottoes are quite dilapidated, but their weathered atmosphere is palpable. A round-trip shuttle bus costs 10 yuan. Although it's only a little over 1 kilometer, 10 yuan is a reasonable price, especially considering the two-hour time allotted for the chartered bus.

It's worth visiting to learn about this important period of water conservancy development. I suggest consolidating the Kanjing area; there's no need to develop several adjacent industrial parks, as they're all quite similar—why break it up?

A long time ago when I visited Turpan, there was only one attraction related to the Karez irrigation system. Now, three have been developed: the Karez Well Park, the Karez Well Folk Culture Park, and the Karez Well Source. My chartered driver recommended this one; it's quite deep, but there's an elevator down. It's worth a look for basic information.

A very picturesque site to be visited during the trip to this region. Try to find all secret spots around the mosque for the best pictures ever :)

The Flaming Mountains (Kiziltag in Uyghur, meaning Red Mountain) are located in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang, on the northern edge of the Turpan Basin, a crucial point on the ancient Silk Road's northern route. They are a national AAAA-level scenic area and a national geological park. The mountain range stretches approximately 98 kilometers east to west and 9 kilometers wide, with its main peak reaching an altitude of 831.7 meters. The mountains are primarily composed of iron-rich red sandstone and conglomerate, which blaze with intense red light and heat under the scorching sun, resembling a burning fire.

Upon entering, you'll pass a museum that you absolutely must visit; the electronic exhibits are fantastic. To tour the grottoes, you need to form a group. Each grotto has a guide who explains things very well, answers all your questions, and you can have quite in-depth conversations. However, like all the grottoes in Xinjiang, they were mostly excavated by the Germans and are now in the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin, Germany (how awful!).