Welcome to Turpan
Turpan (吐鲁番; Tǔlǔfān) is China’s Death Valley. At 154m below sea level, it’s the second-lowest depression in the world and the hottest spot in China. In July and August, temperatures soar above 40°C and even 50°C, forcing the local population to sleep on their roofs and visiting tourists into a state of semi-torpor.
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Turpan activities
All Inclusive Private Day Trip to Turpan from Urumqi including Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Karez System
At 8 o'clock in the morning, your guide will pick you up at the lobby of your centrally located hotel in Urumqi. Then, you will take a 3-hour ride in a private vehicle from Urumqi to Turpan. On the way, you will see windmill farms, saltwater lakes, and valley of Tianshan. After arriving in Turpan, visit Bezklik Thousand Buddha Caves, which is an abandoned site that has ruins of fresco and statues from 15th century. Afterwards, you will go to ancient city ruin of Gaochang which was one of the most renowned kingdom along the Silk Road in the history. You can wander around to visit temples, stupas, city walls...etc among the ruin. Lunch will be provided in the yard of a local Uyghur house. Next, you will go to Emin Minaret that was built in 1777AD with a typical Uyghur architectural style. Later, before you head back to Urumqi, you will learn why Turpan could sustain itself in long history by visiting the Karez Irrigation System. After the irrigation system visit, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Urumqi where this wonderful day trip concludes.
7 Days Silk Road Join in Group Tour
Day 1: Upon arrive at Kashgar Airport, our driver will pick you up on time, transfer to hotel, check in hotel, free and easy on your own arrangement. Day 2: In the morning, you will meet the guide in the hotel lobby to start your journey. The first full day tour covers only one scenic spot: Karakuri Lake. The lake is 3 hours riding from downtown Kashgar. Together with the snow-capped Muztag Ata Mountain, they make up a fresh picturesque world. Day 3: After breakfast, we will visit the Id Kah Mosque, a typical Islamic architecture like domes, minarets and arches, as well as pious prayers. It has a 500 years history. Then move to the Abakh Khoja Tomb, which is an ancient Islamic building complex and a cemetery. Five generations of a famous Islamic master were buried here. It is considered as the largest dome architecture in the east of the cemetery. The last stop of today is the Old Town of Kashgar and Local Livestock Market. Day 4: Take the morning flight from Kashgar to Urumqi. When you land in, local guide and driver will pick you up from the airport and then transfer you to Turpan. It will take about 2.5 hours for riding. When you arrive at Turpan, you will firstly visit the Karaz Well, the gigantic underground irrigation system created by ancient Xinjiang people. Next we will go to the existed largest ancient pagoda in Xinjiang, Sugong Pagoda. The pagoda is a 44-meter-high (144 feet) Islamic pagoda, which bears a history of over 200 years. The last stop will be Jiaohe Ruins, which is one of the most important towns along the ancient Silk Road. It is also the largest, oldest and best-preserved earth construction in the world. Day 5: In the morning after hotel pick up, you will pay a visit to the Bizaklik Thousand Buddha, a series of caves with thousands of Buddhism murals. The vivid murals show many Buddhism figures, stories, and the social life about 1,000 years ago in Ancient Gaochang Kingdom. Then we will visit Tuyuq Village, the oldest existed Uygurs village in China where you will see the ancient earth-and wood structure Uygurs house and it is regarded as the Chinese Mekka due to its position in Muslim people. The last stop in Turpan will be the hottest place in China- the Flaming Hill, situated at the north of ancient Silk Road. The temperature is so high that nothing grows on the hill. When driving back to Urumqi, we will visit the Urumqi International Bazaar. Day 6: In the morning our local guide will pick you up from hotel and then go to visit Xinjiang Museum to see the unearthed cultural relics full of Uygures ethnic taste. Then we will pay a visit the Heavenly Lake(Tianchi) in the rest of the day. Day 7: After breakfast at the hotel, you may have all your belongings and luggage packed, check out of the hotel by yourself. Our driver will drive you to the airport to take the homeward flight.
Private Round-Trip Transfer to Turpan from Urumqi
You will be picked up from your Urumqi hotel or accommodation at 8:00am or your preferred time then transfer to Turpan which is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive. Along the ride, you will passes a giant wind-farm, different rivers, and mountain pastures. Sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way. There are so much to see in Turpan, choose 2-3 sites you want to go, then your driver or phone translator will design an itinerary for you. Once arriving at each attraction, your driver will show you where to purchase your tickets, and where he will be waiting for you, then you will enjoy your own time to explore the historical sites, after you finish each site, you will meet your friendly driver and heading to the next destination. After your self-guided Turpan tour finished, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Urumqi. Attractions in Turpan: 1: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)–the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe has a history of 2300 years. Jiaohe ancient city was considered as the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. It was listed as the World Heritage by UNESCO on June 22, 2014. 2: Flaming Mountains, which are barren, eroded, red sandstone hills. It is the hottest place in China with the highest temperature around 47.8 °C (118 °F) and surface temperature over 70 °C (158 °F) in summer. 3: Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: it is a complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th century. They are high on the cliffs of the west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountains, and most of the surviving caves date from the West Uyghur kingdom around the 10th to 13th centuries. 4: Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta), the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China.Right beside the minaret stands Su Gong Ta Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. 5: Astana Tombs which served mainly as the cemetery for the descendants of Chinese settlers in Gaochang from the 4th century to the first half of the 8th century.The complex contains over 1,000 tombs. Due to the arid environment many important artifacts have been well preserved at the tombs, including natural mummies. 6: Karez irrigation system which is unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Please note this is only a private transfer from Urumqi Hotel to Turpan, meals, entrance tickets or tour guide are not included.You may have a Chinese speaking driver, but they know exactly where to pick you up and where to drop you off. Guest can use their phone to call our translator if need during the ride.
2-Day Private Independent Tour to Turpan from Urumqi
You will be picked up from your Urumqi hotel or accommodation at 8:00am then transfer to Turpan which is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive. Along the ride, you will passes a giant wind-farm, different rivers, and mountain pastures. Sit back and enjoy the scenery along the way. There are so much to see in Turpan, choose the sites you want to go, then your driver or phone translator will design an itinerary for you. Once arriving at each attraction, your driver will show you where to purchase your tickets, and where he will be waiting for you, then you will enjoy your own time to explore the historical sites, after you finish each site, you will meet your friendly driver and heading to the next destination. After your 2 days self-guided Turpan tour finished, you can choose to finish your tour in Turpan or transferred back to your hotel in Urumqi. Attractions in Turpan: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)–the capital of the Anterior Jushi Kingdom. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe has a history of 2300 years. Jiaohe ancient city was considered as the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world. It was listed as the World Heritage by UNESCO on June 22, 2014. Flaming Mountains, which are barren, eroded, red sandstone hills. It is the hottest place in China with the highest temperature around 47.8 °C (118 °F) and surface temperature over 70 °C (158 °F) in summer. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves: it is a complex of Buddhist cave grottos dating from the 5th to 14th century. They are high on the cliffs of the west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountains, and most of the surviving caves date from the West Uyghur kingdom around the 10th to 13th centuries. Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta), the largest extant old tower in Xinjiang and the only Islamic tower among the hundred famous towers in China.Right beside the minaret stands Su Gong Ta Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang. Astana Tombs which served mainly as the cemetery for the descendants of Chinese settlers in Gaochang from the 4th century to the first half of the 8th century.The complex contains over 1,000 tombs. Due to the arid environment many important artifacts have been well preserved at the tombs, including natural mummies. Karez irrigation system which is unique to this part of the world. The system is considered as one of the three great projects in China with the other two being the Great Wall and the Grand Canal. Please note this is only a private transfer service. Meals, entrance tickets, tour guide are not included. You may have a Chinese speaking driver, but they know exactly where to pick you up and where to drop you off. Guest can use their phone to call our translator if need during the ride.
2-Day Private Independent Tour to Turpan and Kum Tag Desert from Urumqi
You will be picked up from your Urumqi hotel or accommodation at 8:00am then transfer to Turpan which is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive. Along the ride, you will passes a giant wind-farm, different rivers, and mountain pastures. Sit back and enjoy the sceneries along the way. Day 1 :Urumqi -Turpan There are so much to see in Turpan, choose 2-3 sites you want to go, then your driver or phone translator will design an itinerary for you. Once arriving at each attraction, your driver will show you where to purchase your tickets, and where he will be waiting for you, then you will enjoy your own time to explore the historical sites, after you finish each site, you will meet your friendly driver and heading to the next destination. After you tour finished today, you will stay at a hotel in Turpan(please book the accommodation on your own ) Attractions in Turpan: 1: Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto 2: Flaming Mountains 3: Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves 4: Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta), 5: Astana Tombs 6: Karez irrigation system Day 2:Turpan -Kum Tag Desert- Turpan/Urumqi Your driver will meet you in your hotel in Turpan and heading directly to Kum Tag Desert, once arriving at Kumtag Desert, your driver will show you where to purchase your tickets, and where he will be waiting for you, then you will enjoy your own time to explore the desert and all kinds of desert activities. The Kumtag Desert is a section of the Taklamakan Desert. The name Kumtag means “sand mountain” in Uyghur language. Beside to enjoy the amazing desert view, Here, you can ride a camel or sit on the desert jeep to enjoy the up and down sand hill to go deep into the Taklamakan desert. After your two days independent tour finished, you can choose the option to finish your tour in Turpan or Urumqi. Please note this is only a private transfer service. Meals, entrance tickets, tour guide are not included. You may have a Chinese speaking driver, but they know exactly where to pick you up and where to drop you off. Guest can use their phone to call our translator if need during the ride.
5-Night Private Silk Road Trip from Urumqi to Dunhuang including Hotel Accommodations
Day 1: Arriving Urumqi Pick up from Diwopu International Airport or Urumqi Rail Station and transfer you to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the streets of Urumqi.Accommodation: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi - Heavenly Lake - Urumqi (B) Visit Xinjiang Museum where well-preserved Chinese mummies are exhibited. The spectacular one stands out from the rest named "Beauty of Loulan," who was buried 4,000 years ago near the town of Loulan in Taklimakan Desert. "Beauty of Loulan" was remarkably preserved in an open coffin under hot desert sands of the Taklamakan when she was excavated in 1980. After lunch, head up to Heavenly Lake, located on the north side of the Bodga Shan range of the Tianshan Mountains t. Later, return to Urumqi and stroll through the wonderful Erdaoqiao Bazaar before driving back your hotel.Accommodation: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi Day 3: Urumqi - Turpan (B, L) Visit Turpan, the centre of a fertile oasis and an important trade center along the Silk Road that was once adjacent to the kingdoms of Kroran and Yanqi. Visit Emin Minaret, the symbol of Turpan before your authentic local lunch at a Uyghur home under the grape vine in open air. Explore the Ancient City of Gaochang, Bezklik Grottos, Astana Ancient Tombs before returning to your hotel.Accommodation: 4-Star Xiangjiang Lihua Hotel, Urumqi Day 4. Turpan - Liuyuan (via bullet train) - Dunhuang (B) Explore ruin of ancient Jiaohe city, the capital of Anterior Jushi kingdom during 108 B.C. to 450 A.D. With Karez Irrigation System helps irrigating the oasis, Jiaohe was an important site along the Silk Road trade route leading west adjacent to Korla and Karasahr kingdoms. Catch a bullet train to Liuyuan and be transferred to Dunhuang hotel. Visit the night market nearby the hotel if you like.Accommodation: 4-Star Dunhuang Hotel Day 5: Dunhuang (B) Visit the highlight of Silk Road today, Mogao Grottoes (Caves of the Thousand Buddhas), where you will be impressed by the fresco and statues in the caves. These caves are examples of rock-cut architecture of soft gravel conglomerate not suitable for either sculpture or elaborate architectural details. Enjoy a fun hike on the sand dunes to visit the Crescent Spring.Accommodation: 4-Star Dunhuang Hotel Day 6: Departing Dunhuang (B) If time allows, visit Dunhuang Museum before heading to Dunhuang Airport where this 6 days trip concludes.