Turpan

» Xin Jiang

Turpan Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Today's Turpan weather forcast

Turpan is surrounded by the Bogda Mountains in the north, the Karawuquntag Mountains in the west, the Jueluotag Mountains in the south, and the Kumtag Mountains in the southeast. The area, which is 100 meters below sea level, is about 2,085 square kilometers, and makes up 4.1 percent of the total area of the basin. It is 184 kilometers from Urumqi. The city has a unique landscape, and numerous ancient remains. Mineral resources and native produce are rich. It tops all other cities in China by having the hottest weather, lowest altitude, driest climate, and sweetest fruit.

Where to see

Turpan was an important place on the Silk Road. Famous for its beautiful sightseeings and especial its grapes, Turpan has become a hot destination for tourists.

Grape Valley

Because Turpan is rich in high-quality grapes of many kinds, it is known as the Hometown of Grapes. Grapes have even proved to be a tourist attraction. Lying to the northeast of Turpan, Grape Valley is a peaceful heaven and a welcoming place for visitors. The valley is a Grape Kingdom worthy of its name. Outside of the vineyards, you will also see grapevines along the road and around the houses with clusters of crystal-like grapes hanging on the dense vines. You can taste the sweet grapes after paying a small fee. Recently, a new Grape Valley was built near the old one, but the newly developed one is rather commercial. To get a taste of the romantic feeling of Turpan, it is better to visit the old Grape Valley. Additionally, in 2001, Grape Street was built on Qingnian Road in Turpan. It is 1.7 kilometers (1.06 miles) long and 14 meters (15.3 yards) wide and the pillars on both sides are festooned with exuberant grapevines. Visitors can go for a stroll under the grapevines to enjoy a cool respite from the hot city and taste the grapes there.

Flaming Mountain - the hottest place in China

After enjoying the beautiful vineyards and the sweet grapes, you can try something totally different at Flaming Mountain - the hottest place in China. The surface temperature here can reach over 70C (158F). With the scorching sun directly overhead, the red mountain rocks glow and the air shimmers in the heat. It looks like raging flames, so the mountain got named Flaming Mountain. The highest temperature in summer can reach 47.8C (118F), so bring plenty of sun-block and water when you visit.

Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Lying to the north of the Flaming Mountain, the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves is one of the most important Buddha grotto relics in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It was built during the Northern and Southern dynasties (386-589) and for 700 years, it remained the Buddhist center of the Western Regions (the area including what is now Xinjiang and parts of Central Asia).

Ancient City of Gaochang

Not far from Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves sits the ruins of the Ancient City of Gaochang. The ancient city of Gaochang was first built in 1BC and was destroyed by war by the end of 13AD. It is the largest set of ancient city ruins ever found in the Western Regions. After over 2,000 years of exposure, the outline of the ancient city still exists, and the city wall stands imposingly at the foot of the Flaming Mountain.

The Ancient City of Jiaohe

The Ancient City of Jiaohe, situated to the west of Turpan, is another set of ruins from an ancient city on the Silk Road. Jiaohe was the capital of the former Gushi Kingdom, which was first built in 60BC to the west of Turpan City. It has a long history of about 2,300 years. It is the largest and best preserved ancient city built from compressed earth anywhere in the world. As early as 1961, the Ancient City of Jiaohe was listed as the first group of Key Cultural Relics Units under State Protection. When traveling there, be sure to take plenty of drinking water as you will walk for several kilometers on dry, barren land.

Climate

Turfan's climate is harsh, of the arid continental type, with very hot summers, very cold winters, and minimal precipitation, which amounts to only 20mm (0.9 inch) per year. July is the hottest month, with averages highs of 39C (103F) and lows of 25C (77F), while January is the coldest, with highs of -4C (26F) and lows of -16C (4F). The Highest temperature ever measured in Turfan is 55C (131F) and the lowest is -38C (-36.4F).

However, the very heat and dryness of the summer, when combined with the area's ancient system of irrigation, allows the countryside around Turfan to produce great quantities of high-quality fruit.

Dining

What to eat

As a city inhabited by minority nationalities, Turpan is famous for delicious Uygur snacks, which are quite like those in Urumqi. Famous snacks such as Kebabs, Nang, Zhua Fan are visible at every corner of the old city. A bite of any of these snacks will give you a flavor that will linger in your memory for quite a long time. Apart from that, there are many other local dishes:

• Roasted Dumplings: The stuffing for these dumplings is made from first-class mutton, with added onions, salt and pepper. After wrapping the stuffing in dough, the locals roast the dumplings in a big oven for about 20 minutes. The roasted dumpling is really delicious with its rather crispy skin and tender stuffing.

• Sanzi: Sanzi is one of the Hui snacks eaten at festivals. It is considered as a table delicacy for giving guests a special treat. To make Sanzi, you should mix the flour with oil, Chinese prickly ash and egg white to make dough. And then, pull the dough into thin noodles and deep-fry the noodles in oil for several minutes.

• Ququ (Wonton): It is quite similar to Wonton in other parts of China. The stuffing is made of mutton, onion, salt and pepper, in a square dough wrapper. After boiling it in broth, some coriander is added. It is presented with this delicious broth, as well as having a thin skin around the deliciously tender stuffing.

• Grape Banquet: Additionally, Xinjiang is distinguished by its fruits, especially the Turpan grape. It enjoys great prestige both at home and abroad. Benefiting from the advantageous geographical position, the grape here has rich sugar content. There are hundreds of grape varieties in Turpan, and in harvest season, you can see people eating grapes everywhere in the city as their staple food. This special phenomenon is rare in other parts of China. When coming to Turpan, you should taste the 'grape banquet' for yourself.

Where to eat

Red Rose Restaurant which is located on Gaochang Road is the best folk restaurant which has food with a special flavor. Furthermore, the decoration in the restaurant follows the unique style of the Uygur residents. Address: No.551, Gaochang Road, Turpan

Baiyang Restaurant is the best option for you to taste the genuine Zhua Fan (Rice Eaten with Hands). Address: Outside the Railway Station of Shanshan County, to the east of Turpan City

Fang Ling Xuan Restaurant is a Moslem restaurant offering the customers Specialty Dishes of Xinjiang as well as Sichuan and Guangdong Cuisines. Address: North of Bizaklik Road, Turpan

Get around in Turpan

By city-bus

Like other middle cities in Xinjiang, Turpan is not a city with high population density. So it is not very crowded when taking a city-bus and it is easy for you to find a seat. There are eight city bus routes in Turpan which can take you to different directions of the city. The bus fare for the first 6 stops is 0.5RMB per person, and 0.5RMB should be added for greater distances.

By Donkey Taxi

If you want to make a short trip in or around the city, you should try a special vehicle to taste the real life of the Uygur. That is the so-called 'donkey taxi'. It is a kind of flatbed drawn by donkey which is reined by locals. And generally, the vehicle which is decorated by colorful blanket can hold 10 passengers. It can take you to bazaar or some attractions near the city. After bargaining for a suitable fee, you can sit on the vehicle leisurely to wander around the mysterious old city.

By Chartered Vehicle

The traffic condition in Turpan is good and driving a private car here is enjoyable. Considering the hot weather, good air-conditioning in the car is necessary. You can rent a car for 150-200RMB per day to make your trip easier as it will save a lot of time. Generally, you will need a full day to visit the main attractions around the city. To remind you, when you drive in China, a driver's license is necessary. If your driver's license is not acceptable here, you should hire a driver for about 50RMB a day. Further, bicycle rental is also available in Turpan. You can rent a bicycle outside the Turpan Hotel

By Taxi

Taking a taxi is the best way to save your limited time and the most convenient way to get to your destination. Especially in Turpan, taking a taxi is the best way for you to escape from the high temperature. Generally speaking, the price of taxi in Turpan is 5RMB for the first 3 kilometers (1.86 miles).

Sleep

We recommand these hotels to you for it's not expensive but still comfortable.

• Oasis Hotel Turfan, 41 Qingnian Rd, Turfan, TeL: (0995)522491 (fax: (0995)522768).

• Turpan Hotel, Qingnian Rd., Turpan, Tel: (0995)522025 (fax: (0995)522025).

Entertainment

Shopping

Standing in front of these products that make you dizzy, you must be confused by what to take home. Well here you will have some answers.

• Knives: The knives made in Xinjiang are well-known throughout the country. They are not only practical, but also quite beautiful. Knives made in Yengisar are hand-crafted and represent the unique culture of Middle Asia. They are popular with visitors with their unique shapes and exquisite materials. Most of the knives made in Yengisar are scimitars, and are made of wood, horns, copper and silver. Skilled craftsmen carve beautiful traditional designs in bright colors on the knives, and sometimes, they will even set valuable diamonds in the knives. In addition to the locally made scimitar, the phoenix knife made in Kuqa is also quite remarkable and would also make a very nice gift. If you do buy one of the local knives and are traveling by air, remember that you will not be allowed to bring your knife on board the aircraft and you will need to pack it with your baggage that will be checked, or you may need to mail it to your home.

• Colorful Cap: Uygur people have the habit of wearing colorful caps that are an essential part of their daily life, and it is not uncommon for the hospitable Uygur people to send these beautiful caps to friends as a gift. Generally speaking, these caps are unique to the area, and can be quite different in different areas of Xinjiang. Caps made in Turpan have big flower designs, and the bottom is a bit narrow. With their flower designs and bright colors, these caps seem be quite popular with senior citizens.

• Pa La Zi (Knitting Carpet): Pa La Zi is another example of the traditional craftworks of Uygur. Pa La Zi is crafted by using colorful wool to knit a variety of geometric figures. Once complete, a carpet can be used as a rug, blanket, or even as a decorative wall hanging. Sometimes the locals will wrap the carpet on the back of their horse or camel in order to use the carpet as a riding blanket.

Nightlife

No body is willing to just chill in the hotel at night and watch some local TV program that you don't understand what they are talking about. We will help you find some fun.

• The Real Love Club is one of the top-grade KTV in Turpan. It is very popular with young people with its gorgeous decoration and outstanding facilities. The sound effects in the club are particularly excellent and make every singer sound like a superstar. The food is also very delicious Address: No.321, Oasis Road, Turpan

• The Tian Yi Jiao Amusement World is also a popular KTV in Turpan.
  Address: Min Mao Mansion, Old City District
  Opening Hours: 13:00-24:00

• Another popular place is the Turpan Tourist Culture Square. This multi-functional square is an ideal place for visitors to relax and enjoy the beautiful night-time atmosphere of the city. As the night falls, colorful neon lights are lit and these enhance the beauty of the surrounding buildings. In the middle of the square, there is a big fountain whose water spouts rhythmically with the music.

• The Uygur people are known for their singing and dancing. Visitors can see a Uygur Singing and Dancing Show in nearly all of the star-level hotels. Even some small hostels have these kinds of shows. The Grape Valley is also an ideal venue to enjoy a show. During the Grape Festival the show can be seen in every corner of the city.

Natural Scene

• Flaming Mountain
• Grape Valley
• Tuyugou Valley

Historical Site

• Jiaohe Ruins
• Sugong Pagoda
• Gaochang Ancient City
• Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
• Astana Tombs

Cultural Site

• Karez System
• Grape Valley

Turpan Highlights

Silk Road city highlights

The Silk Road, or Silk Routes, refers to an extensive interconnected network of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East, South and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, including North Africa and Europe.

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Dunhuang
• Jiayuguan
• Lanzhou
• Tianshui
• Zhangye
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Hotan

Journey to the West

A monk and his three students go to the west to get true sutura - this is the book Journey to the West. Which belongs to the four great Chinese novels and is known throughout the world.

Songs and Dances of Xinjiang

Always cheerful and always lively, songs and dances of Xinjiang will always bring you great joy. It doesn't matter if you really sing and dance or not, just taking part in it will give you a good mood - hospitable Xinjiang people always have a way to enjoy life to the fullXinjiang has long been known as "a land of song and dance. "Singing and dancing are integral parts of the local life and have

Islam attraction highlights

The word Islam means "submission", or the total surrender of oneself to the islamic conception of God. An adherent of Islam is known as a Muslim, meaning "one who submits to God". There are between 1 billion and 1.8 billion Muslims, making Islam the second-largest religion in the world, after Christianity.

• Id Kah Mosque
• Great Mosque
• Grand Kuqa Mosque
• Qingjing Mosque
• Dongguan Mosque

city highlights

• Xi'an
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Lanzhou
• Quanzhou

Uygur Ethnic Group city highlights

Xinjiang province, a place of large desert, tasty fruit and friendly people, is where almost all the Uygurs are found. It occupies much of the sparsely-populated Northwest.

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Burqin
• Yarkent
• Hotan
• Fuyun

Xinjiang Fruits attraction highlights

Xinjiang, enjoys the fame as the 'capital of fruits', of which the fruits have earned a good market in 55 countries. The various preserved and fresh fruits, nuts and the deep processed fruit products have been laid on the tables over the world.

• Grape Valley

city highlights

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Korla

Yadan Landform attraction highlights

Yadan landform, the world Geologic Garden on the Desert, is the immense in scale, the most perfect in their shapes and the richest in intension in the world. Yadan means "steep mound" in Uygur and is now widely used by geologists and archeologists to refer to certain geomorphic features in arid regions.

• Monster City
• Multi-colored Bay

city highlights

• Turpan
• Burqin

Xinjiang Kebab attraction highlights

Xinjiang Kebab is as famous as the roast duck of Beijing. It is a popular snack nationwide -- found in the streets and bazaars throughout China, and a lot of people like it very much.

• Grand Bazaar

city highlights

• Urumqi
• Turpan
• Kashgar
• Korla
• Kuqa
• Burqin
• Yarkent
• Hotan
• Fuyun

Turpan FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to go?

  Customs

1. What are some interesting festivals?
2. Mind these customs and taboos

  Other Hints

1. A couple of notes for packing
2. A note on the time difference
3. Emergency Numbers
4. Useful Numbers

• When is the best time to go?

  The best time for visiting is between July and August when the fruit crops are ripe.

  Turpan is well-known for its high temperatures and is also called 'Huo Zhou' (a place as hot as fire). The city is located in Turpan Basin, the hottest as well as the lowest elevation in China; just 98 ft above sea level. The climate is dry, hot and windy with an average rainfall of only 0.9 inches per year. Because of its unique geographical position, the city enjoys very high temperature and very little precipitation. The summers here are long and usually begin in April and end in August. June, July and August are the hottest months with an average temperature above 38C (100.4F) and the recorded highest temperature is 49.6C (121.28F).

- Top -



• What are some interesting festivals?

  Grape Festival
  Turpan is renowned for the quality of the fruit grown here and the sweetness of the grapes. Just as the name implies, the grape is the subject of the festival which is held in August each year and lasts for a month. During the festival, you can feel the happiness of harvest in every corner of the city. The grapes of hundreds of varieties are ripe and hang on the vines, waiting for you to enjoy. Amongst them, the white grape without seeds is the favourite one and it is praised as the 'green pearl of China'. In addition to enjoying the sweet grapes you can take in traditional Uygur performances in the festival, such as the wedding ceremony of Uygur and the dancing performances in Tang Dynasty (618-907). Grape Valley is the best option for you to celebrate the festival.

  Eid al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking)
  This fast is one of the five pillars of Islam and Eid al Fitr is the first day after 30 days' fast. The festival is celebrated on the 1st of October according to the Moslem calendar, and lasts for three days. It is an important festival among the Moslems. On the first morning of the festival, people gather together in the mosque to pray. And then, they wear national costumes to call on their relatives and friends. During the festival, people will butcher fat stocks and cook some traditional snacks to satisfy their stomach.

  Eid al Adha (the Feast of the Sacrifice)
  The festival is on 10th December according to the Moslem calendar and it is the last day for pilgrimage. In the early morning, all men go to mosque to pray. It is the most important divine service with a largest scale all year round. During the festival, each family should slaughter a sheep, a cow or a camel. And families and friends would gather together to sing and dance happily. Of course, they will also enjoy a sumptuous meal together. After the meal, they often visit the grave to honor the memory of ancestors

- Top -



• Mind these customs and taboos

  When traveling in Turpan, you should pay attention to Muslim customs and taboos in particular.
  
  
  • Do not poke the food in dishes or get close to the kitchen.
    
  • Never eat pork or talk about pigs when a Muslim is present.
    
  • Do not wear clothing that is short and too revealing.
    
  
  When receiving something, you should use both of your hands to show your thanks and respect to the host.
  
- Top -



• A couple of notes for packing

  1. Although the temperature is high in the day time, you should take a long sleeved shirt as temperatures here vary greatly between day and night.

  2. As the temperature is very high in the summer, it is necessary for you to take a hat, sunglasses and sun-bloc to avoid being burnt.

  3. If you are used to wearing contact lenses, please bring a pair of glasses with you due to the hot dry weather.

- Top -



• A note on the time difference

  Although the clock time in Xinjiang is the same as Beijing time, there is two hours difference because of the longitude. You should modify your rest and dinning times two hours later as compared with staying in the central part of China.

- Top -



• Emergency Numbers

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Traffic: 122
    

- Top -



• Useful Numbers

  • Consumers Complaint Line of the Turpan Consumers' Association: 123154
    
  • Tour Complaints: 8523216
    
  • Time Inquiry: 117
    
  • Telephone Number Inquiry: 114
    
  • Weather Forecast: 121
    
  • Railway Inquiry: 8642233
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan Region: 8523653 / 8523663
    
  • Tourist Bureau of Turpan City: 8520171.

- Top -