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Turpan

Turpan (吐鲁番; Tǔlǔfān) is China’s Death Valley. At 505 ft 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.

Despite the heat, the ground water and fertile soil of the Turpan depression has made this a veritable oasis in the desert, evidenced by the nearby centuries-old remains of ancient cities, imperial garrisons and Buddhist caves. The city itself has a mellow vibe to it, and recovering from a day’s sightseeing over a cold Xīnjiāng beer under the grapevines on a warm summer evening is one of the joys of traveling through the province.

Explore Turpan

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Jiaohe Ruins
Also called Yarkhoto, Jiaohe was established by the ancient Jushi kingdom as a garrison town in the 2nd century BC. It’s one of the world’s largest (6500…
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Bezeklik Cave Complex
This cave complex, which dates from the 6th to 14th centuries, is located in a mesmerising desert landscape. Bezeklik means ‘Place of Paintings’ in Uyghur…
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Emin Minaret
Built to honour Turpan general Emin Hoja, this splendid 44m-high mud-brick structure is the tallest minaret in China. Named Sūgōng Tǎ after Emin’s son…
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Tuyoq
Set in a green valley fringed by the Flaming Mountains, this mud-brick village offers a fascinating glimpse of traditional Uyghur life and architecture…
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Flaming Mountains
Near the Bezeklik Caves in Turpan are the Flaming Mountains, which appear at midday like multicoloured tongues of fire. The Flaming Mountains were…
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Turpan Museum
Xinjiang’s second-largest museum houses a rich collection of relics recovered from archaeological sites across the Turpan Basin, including a superb…
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Gaochang
Dating from the 1st century, Gaochang rose to power during the Tang dynasty in the 7th century and became the Uyghur capital in AD 850. It was a major…
A
Astana Tombs
The small Uyghur village of Astana contains this ancient imperial cemetery, chiefly of interest for the mummies you normally see in museums in the exact…
K
Karez System
This museum is dedicated to the uniquely Central Asian–style irrigation system that includes hundreds of kilometres of above and underground canals, wells…

J
Jiaohe Ruins
Also called Yarkhoto, Jiaohe was established by the ancient Jushi kingdom as a garrison town in the 2nd century BC. It’s one of the world’s largest (6500…
B
Bezeklik Cave Complex
This cave complex, which dates from the 6th to 14th centuries, is located in a mesmerising desert landscape. Bezeklik means ‘Place of Paintings’ in Uyghur…
E
Emin Minaret
Built to honour Turpan general Emin Hoja, this splendid 44m-high mud-brick structure is the tallest minaret in China. Named Sūgōng Tǎ after Emin’s son…
T
Tuyoq
Set in a green valley fringed by the Flaming Mountains, this mud-brick village offers a fascinating glimpse of traditional Uyghur life and architecture…
F
Flaming Mountains
Near the Bezeklik Caves in Turpan are the Flaming Mountains, which appear at midday like multicoloured tongues of fire. The Flaming Mountains were…
T
Turpan Museum
Xinjiang’s second-largest museum houses a rich collection of relics recovered from archaeological sites across the Turpan Basin, including a superb…
G
Gaochang
Dating from the 1st century, Gaochang rose to power during the Tang dynasty in the 7th century and became the Uyghur capital in AD 850. It was a major…
A
Astana Tombs
The small Uyghur village of Astana contains this ancient imperial cemetery, chiefly of interest for the mummies you normally see in museums in the exact…
K
Karez System
This museum is dedicated to the uniquely Central Asian–style irrigation system that includes hundreds of kilometres of above and underground canals, wells…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Turpan.

See
Jiaohe Ruins
Also called Yarkhoto, Jiaohe was established by the ancient Jushi kingdom as a garrison town in the 2nd century BC. It’s one of the world’s largest (6500…
See
Bezeklik Cave Complex
This cave complex, which dates from the 6th to 14th centuries, is located in a mesmerising desert landscape. Bezeklik means ‘Place of Paintings’ in Uyghur…
See
Emin Minaret
Built to honour Turpan general Emin Hoja, this splendid 44m-high mud-brick structure is the tallest minaret in China. Named Sūgōng Tǎ after Emin’s son…
See
Tuyoq
Set in a green valley fringed by the Flaming Mountains, this mud-brick village offers a fascinating glimpse of traditional Uyghur life and architecture…
See
Flaming Mountains
Near the Bezeklik Caves in Turpan are the Flaming Mountains, which appear at midday like multicoloured tongues of fire. The Flaming Mountains were…
See
Turpan Museum
Xinjiang’s second-largest museum houses a rich collection of relics recovered from archaeological sites across the Turpan Basin, including a superb…
See
Gaochang
Dating from the 1st century, Gaochang rose to power during the Tang dynasty in the 7th century and became the Uyghur capital in AD 850. It was a major…
See
Astana Tombs
The small Uyghur village of Astana contains this ancient imperial cemetery, chiefly of interest for the mummies you normally see in museums in the exact…
See
Karez System
This museum is dedicated to the uniquely Central Asian–style irrigation system that includes hundreds of kilometres of above and underground canals, wells…

Guidebooks

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