Places To See in Turpan

Where is China’s best place to taste grapes and unique scenic spots on the Silk Road? The answer must be Turpan City because of Turpan’s special unique terrain. Turpan is famous for being the hottest, lowest, and driest place in China as well as the splendid grapes. Visiting the Turpan attractions is popular for travelers as the culture is still mostly Uighur as well as you’ll appreciate several historical sites and unusual scenery. Meanwhile, Tupan was a major stop on the northern route of the old Silk Road in ancient times. 

If you intend to choose the Silk Road trip, the places to see in Turpan that are highly recommended are Sugong Pagoda, Karez Well, and The Ruins of Jiaohe for the first day in your itinerary. You may look and get more information about the Silk Road from the Silk Road In-depth Experience.

Day One Highlights in Turpan

Sugong Pagoda

Sugong Pagoda — It is Xinjiang’s largest and China’s only Islamic tower which was completed in 1778 A.D, also known as “Turpan Pagoda” by the locals. The architectural style of the pagoda is a combination of both Uyghur and Han. It stands at 37 m. (236 ft.) high and 72 flights of stairs curl around the center leading to the top. The pagoda’s body was built of wood and brick and it also includes various carvings of traditional Uyghur design, which makes Sugong Pagoda quite special from other pagodas in China. Each level of the pagoda has windows facing different directions and at the top there are four windows on each side which provide travelers a good view of Turpan.

Karez Well

Karez Well — This is one of the common but unique places to see in Turpan, which is an underground water system invented and built by ancient Turpan residents. Karez systems are delicate irrigation systems that are made up of vertical wells, underground ditches, ground canals, and small reservoirs. In general, a Karez is 3 km. (2 mi.) long. The melted snow from Tianshan Mountain is the water source of the Karez well, especially in the summer season when the melted snow and rainwater flow to the basin. Due to this fact, Turpan is the hottest and driest in China, most of the Karez wells are built in Turpan, where you can drink the water from the wells directly.

The Ruins of Jiaohe

The Ruins of Jiaohe — The world’s largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen city, with 2,300 years of long history, and it is regarded as one of the must-see Turpan attractions. The Ruins of Jiaohe have distinctive features, thus: the two city gates disappeared a long time ago; it doesn’t have city walls because of three sides of the city face towards the cliffs; all the buildings were dug from the earth and no wood was used. History records that the city was home to hundreds of residents. You’ll see the special pagoda built by rocky differs from the ones usually seen in China.

Day Two Itinerary: Exploring Further

Gaochang Ancient City

Gaochang Ancient City is known as the largest and one of a best-preserved ancient city in Xinjiang, China. It played an important role in history over 1,400 years. It is one of the best places to see in Turpan and it was also a key stop on the Silk Road. The ruins are an irregular square covering an area of about about 2 million sq. m. (about 7 million sq. ft.). The ancient city is combined with three sections: an outer city, an inner city, and a palace city. In ancient times, Gaochang ancient city was destroyed by the war that most of its constructions were ruined and only a few well-preserved sites remained. As travelers visit here, Gaochang ancient city is becoming a popular for sightseeing site for archeology lovers and it is one of the great Turpan attractions. To learn more about this place please look at: Xinjiang Photography Tour.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves — Located in the middle section of Flaming Mountain, it has a history of more than 1,500 years. The oldest caves were created in the 5th century A.D. and the newest were carved in the 14th century. Until now, 57 caves in total exist, and among them over 40 murals. The complex and exquisite murals are a combination with Buddhist background, culture and art style of this area as well as the relationship between ancient China and West. You’ll through these murals’ artistic style learn about something of the nature of ancient society. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is one the top Turpan attractions and places to see in Turpan. If you are interested in the places to see in Turpan, then please look at: the Xinjiang Natural Beauty and Historical Heritages Tour.

Flaming Mountains

Flaming Mountains — Another one of the amazing Turpan attractions is the Flaming Mountains. Thanks to the famous novel The Journey to the West which shows the Flaming Mountains reputation and has become very popular for travelers. Legend says that the Monkey King made troubles in Heaven was kicked off the stove and Charcoals fell from the sky to where the Flaming Mountain now lies. All the mountains are red, there are hardly any plants and creatures but barren and it is extremely hot in Summer. When you approach the mountain, you’ll feel the soles of your shoes become more hot.

Discovering Tuyuk Village

There are many more places to see in Turpan. Like the Tuyuk Village, which is the oldest village in Xinjiang Uighur that has over 2,000 years of history. The village is known to be an old pilgrimage site for Muslims. Streets and houses in there is very dry and quaint. All the houses in Tuyuk Village are made of the clay. Part of the Turpan attractions is that it’s a great chance to visit local family and experience rural life in Tuyuk Village. You’ll also have the chance to see the how’s the local people use Karze Well and the wonderful water system when you visit Turpan.

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