Turpan Travel Guide – From Ancient Ruins to Unique Natural Wonders
Turpan, located in the central part of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is an east-west oriented basin sandwiched by the Bogda Mountains and Kurutag Mountains. It is about a 1-hour high-speed train ride from Urumqi. The easy accessibility alongside its rich ethnic culture, historical sites, and unusual natural experiences make Turpan one of the most popular destinations on any Xinjiang tour.
Once a key hub along the ancient Silk Road, it was left with a wide variety of historical legacies, including the ruins of Gaochang and Jiaohe Ancient Cities, the ancient water management wonder – Karez System, and many well-preserved Buddha caves. The Uyghur-dominated population offers visitors diverse and authentic cultural experiences here.
Turpan Depression is one of the lowest basins and the hottest places in China, and even the world. In its vicinity, you can witness the striking contrast between the bare sandstone landscape of the Flaming Mountains, the vibrant oasis of Grape Valley, and the wild desert landscapes… Below, we have compiled the ultimate guide to Turpan for your better understanding and appreciation of this charming place.
- Chinese Name: 吐鲁番 tǔ lǔ fān
- Location: In the central part of Xinjiang. It is an intermountain basin situated in the eastern part of the Tianshan Mountains.
- Altitude: -154 to 500 meters. The city area is about 819 meters above sea level.
- Population (urban area): 693,000 in 2023
Why Visit Turpan?
- Unique Geography and Natural Landscapes: Turpan Depression is one of the lowest places in China, on the eastern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains. It is the hottest place in China in summer, with temperature highs often exceeding 40°C, even over 50°C sometimes. Alongside the unique climate and geography are its extraordinary natural sites, including Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, and Kumtag Desert.
- Rich Heritage: Boasting a long history, Turpan once was an important hub on the ancient Silk Road. There are multiple historical and cultural heritage, including the Ancient City of Gaochang, Jiaohe Ruins, Emin Minaret, and the Bezeklik Caves, which have witnessed historic change and different civilization exchanges in this area for thousands of years.
- Exotic Folk Customs: Turpan is populated by many ethnic minorities, and is dominated by the Uyghur people. Visitors can expect many authentic folk culture experiences, including Yughur music and dance, diverse ethnic foods and handicrafts, etc.
Top Turpan Attractions and Things to Do
Turpan impresses many people with its astonishingly high temperatures and high-quality grapes. However, what makes this ancient Silk Road city charming is the many different featured attractions and unique experiences. From the ancient ruins of Jiaohe and Gaochang to the mysterious Bezeklik Caves, from the striking Flaming Mountains to the lush oasis of Grape Valley, and from the Karez System to the towering Emin Minaret, each tourist attraction in Turpan showcases its remarkable and diverse highlights.
Kumtag Desert
Kumtag Desert is the only desert in the world that is directly connected to a city. Rather than the sand dunes in most deserts, Kumtag is famous for its distinctive sand mountain landscapes. It is also home to stunning wind-eroded rocks, craters, and salt lakes, and offers a variety of desert sports and activities.
Gaochang Ancient City
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gaochang Ancient City was a crucial hub on the ancient Silk Road which has witnessed a history of over 1,400 years. It offers an insight into the typical urban planning and construction in ancient China, preserving various religious and palace ruins.
Unique Weather in Turpan & Best Time to Visit
An iconic feature of Turpan is its unique weather and climate. The region experiences a continental warm temperate desert climate, featuring extreme aridity, few rainfall, strong winds, long sunshine hours, and significant temperature variations between day and night. Thanks to the extreme climate conditions, Turpan is nicknamed “The Land of Fire” and “Wind Vault”.
It is the lowest and also the hottest place in China, Turpan Depression receives about 3,000 to 3,200 hours of sunshine annually, seeing its summer highs often exceed 40-45°C in the day. While at night, the temperature will drop to about 26℃.
July to September is the peak season of Turpan. Though the soaring temperatures, the dryness and large temperature differences between day and night make the summer heat not so unbearable. And this period is also the harvest time for grapes and melons. The annual Turpan Grape Festival is also held in August.
Spring (April to June) and Autumn (September to October) are the best times to travel weather-wise. Winters are generally cold in Turpan, with average temperatures hovering around -8.0 – 2.0°C.
Turpan Transportation: How to Get to & Travel around
How to Get to Turpan?
By Air
Turpan Jiaohe Airport is the main airport in Turpan. This small airport offers relatively limited flights to some domestic cities, like Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Dunhuang, Yining, etc. The airport is about 30 30-minute drive from the downtown area, with shuttle buses and taxis available.
Alternatively, it is recommended to fly to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport first, then take a car or high-speed train to Turpan in about 1 hour.
By Train
Currently, there are two train stations in Turpan, which are Turpan Railway Station and Turpan North Railway Station. The Turpan Railway Station is further to the downtown area and mainly offers regular train services. Turpan North Railway Station mainly offers high-speed or regular trains to Urumqi, Kashgar, Hami, Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Beijing, etc.
By Bus
When transferring to Turpan from nearby cities, long-distance buses also provide convenient access. From Turpan Bus Station, there are direct long-distance buses to Urumqi, Aksu, Hami, Kashgar, Korla, Khotan, etc.
How to Travel Around?
Turpan has a relatively small public transportation system. The bus routes are limited but can cover major areas of the city center. From the airport/train stations to the downtown area, taxi or ride-hailing is more recommended for its convenience.
When traveling in Tuyuk Valley or Gaochang Ancient City, riding a local featured donkey cart is preferred. It’s not only a unique cultural experience but also a great way to enjoy scenery along the way.
Taxis or ride-hailing are more recommended to reach some major attractions like Gaochang Ancient City, Grape Valley, Jiaohe Ruins, and Kumtag Desert.
Considering the scattering and distance of the attractions in Turpan, traveling by private car with a local English-speaking guide is more convenient, and will reward you with a better cultural and immersive experience. Please feel free to contact us regarding your transportation or travel requirements.
Where to Stay in Turpan?
Accommodations in Turpan may differ in facilities and service levels compared to in large cities. But, it still offers a range of accommodation options, from local featured guesthouses to four or five-star hotels, to cater to different needs.
Recommended Accommodation Areas in Turpan
- City center:More hotel options, easy access to commercial facilities, and convenient transportation.
- Near Grape Valley: Mainly guesthouses and inns; offers an immersive experience of grape culture and local Uyghur life.
- Near Turpan North Rail Station or Jiaohe Airport: Mainly 3-star and 2-star hotels
- Other attractions like Jiaohe Ruins, Karez System, and Turpan Museum can be easily accessed from the city center.
