Turpan Travel Guide – Top Things to See & Do
Located in the Turpan Depression, the second lowest point in the world, Turpan is a small prefecture-level city in central Xianjiang. It is the hottest place in China during the summer. A visit to Turpan will always delight you with abundant fruits, traditional Uyghur life, breathtaking natural landscapes, and most importantly, the rich heritage of the Silk Road.
As a highlight for Xinjiang travel and Silk Road travel, Turpan can be easily accessed by train or plane from most cities along the Silk Road. From Urumqi to Turpan, the high-speed train ride takes no more than 1 hour.
Whether you want to explore Turpan on its own or combine it with cities like Dunhuang, Urumqi, and Kashgar, you can expect a memorable experience. Plan your attractions, things to do, time to visit, accommodation, etc. with our Turpan Travel Guide for first-time visitors.
As a highlight for Xinjiang travel and Silk Road travel, Turpan can be easily accessed by train or plane from most cities along the Silk Road. From Urumqi to Turpan, the high-speed train ride takes no more than 1 hour.
Whether you want to explore Turpan on its own or combine it with cities like Dunhuang, Urumqi, and Kashgar, you can expect a memorable experience. Plan your attractions, things to do, time to visit, accommodation, etc. with our Turpan Travel Guide for first-time visitors.
Location: In the central part of Xinjiang; Lies in a basin in the eastern part of the Tianshan Mountains.
Chinese Name: 吐鲁番 (tǔ lǔ fān)
Population: 693,400 (in 2023)
Area: 70,049 square kilometers (27,046 square miles)
Zip Code: 838000
Chinese Name: 吐鲁番 (tǔ lǔ fān)
Population: 693,400 (in 2023)
Area: 70,049 square kilometers (27,046 square miles)
Zip Code: 838000
Why Visit Turpan?
- Rich historic sites: Turpan is home to diverse historical and cultural relics that offer a glimpse into the cultural exchanges and prosperity of the ancient Silk Road.
- Stunning natural landscapes: Turpan Depression is the lowest point in China and the second lowest in the world. The unique geography of the region contributes to its diverse natural landscapes, including the fiery red Flaming Mountains, the awe-inspiring expanse of the Kumtag Desert, large vineyards spreading across the Grape Valley, the Tuyugou Grand Canyon, and the below-sea-level terrain of Ayding Lake.
- Rich ethnic flavor: Turpan is a melting pot of diverse ethnic cultures, with around 27 ethnic groups living here, and over 70% of the population is Uyghur. A visit here offer you a chance to experience their unique cultures, customs, and lifestyle.
- Juicy fruists: As one of the important grape production bases in China, Turpan offers a beautiful landscape of vast green vineyards in summer and diverse other fruits. Expect to delight your stomach with these juicy and flavorful fruits from May to October.
Top Attractions in Turpan
Turpan is a great place that seamlessly blends ancient civilizations and historic sites with unique natural wonders. So there is a lot to see and do while traveling to this charming city in Xinjiang. Jiaohe Ruins, Karez System, Flaming Mountains, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves… Make the most of your Turpan tours by visiting the following top attractions.
Jiaohe RuinsThe largest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe Ruins is the most complete ancient urban ruins in China. With a history of over 2,000 years, you can explore unique earthen architecture and an ancient city layout here.
Karez SystemA unique ancient irrigation system only found in Turpan, the Karez system provides irrigation in the desert region by intelligently channeling and utilizing underground water sources from mountains and natural reservoirs.
Flaming MountainsThe red sandstone of the Flaming Mountains appears as a fiery spectacle when illuminated by the sun. Its surface temperatures can exceed 70°C in summer, attracting many photographers.
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha CavesBezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is known for its large collection of murals and sculptures, offering insight into the region’s exquisite Buddhist art and culture.
Grape ValleyThe symbol of Turpan, Grape Valley is known for its large vineyards, offering visitors a chance to experience local ethnic customs and grape harvesting.
Tuyugou ValleyThis enchanting place once witnessed the influence of multiple religions, including Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. It is home to the Thousand Buddha Caves and some ancient Uyghur villages.
Emin MinaretA landmark and a symbol of Islamic culture in Turpan, Emin Minaret is one of the tallest ancient towers in Xinjiang, featuring a unique Islamic architectural style.
Turpan MuseumA key window into local history and culture, the museum displays a vast collection of relics, including ancient manuscripts unearthed in Turpan and valuable Buddhist statues.
Kumtag DesertDon’t miss Kumtag Desert when traveling to Turpan if you want to enjoy stunning desert landscapes and experience many thrilling activities, like camel riding, sandboarding, etc.
Gaochang Ancient CityListed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, the ancient city has witnessed the rise and fall of multiple dynasties and preserves evidence of the life of various ethnic groups, including Xiongnu, Han, Uighurs, Mongols, and Tibetans.
Turpan Weather & Best Time to Visit
The unusual terrain contributes to the very unusual weather in Turpan. It experiences a typical continental warm temperate desert climate, featuring abundant sunshine, intense heat, extreme dryness, and scarce rainfall.
The annual rainfall here averages just 16mm, while the evaporation often exceeds 3000mm. In summer, its temperatures can reach as high as 49.6°C, making it one of the hottest places in China. This extreme dryness and intense heat earned it the nickname “Fire State.” The low rainfall also helps it preserve many old architecture and ancient ruins made of mud and clay.
September to November is the best time to visit Turpan for comfortable temperatures and mild weather.
July to early September is the best time to sample diverse local fruits, and you can enjoy outdoor activities in the early morning and late afternoon when the temperatures are more bearable.
March to May is a good time to appreciate apricot blossoms in Turpan, just prepared for the occasional sandstorms in this period.
Winters in Turpan are often harsh, with temperatures often dropping below -10℃.
The annual rainfall here averages just 16mm, while the evaporation often exceeds 3000mm. In summer, its temperatures can reach as high as 49.6°C, making it one of the hottest places in China. This extreme dryness and intense heat earned it the nickname “Fire State.” The low rainfall also helps it preserve many old architecture and ancient ruins made of mud and clay.
September to November is the best time to visit Turpan for comfortable temperatures and mild weather.
July to early September is the best time to sample diverse local fruits, and you can enjoy outdoor activities in the early morning and late afternoon when the temperatures are more bearable.
March to May is a good time to appreciate apricot blossoms in Turpan, just prepared for the occasional sandstorms in this period.
Winters in Turpan are often harsh, with temperatures often dropping below -10℃.
Hotels in Turpan: Where to Stay
Accommodation options in Turpan are mainly local featured guesthouses and mid-range hotels, but there are also several high-end four- and five-star hotels, such as Hilton Garden Inn and Shuangcheng Hotel.
Some top recommended high-end guesthouses include Bafenggu Guesthouse and Wuban Villa. These guesthouses allow visitors to immerse themselves in local culture, architectural style, and life. Many featured guesthouses and resorts are located in the Grape Valley scenic area.
Some top recommended high-end guesthouses include Bafenggu Guesthouse and Wuban Villa. These guesthouses allow visitors to immerse themselves in local culture, architectural style, and life. Many featured guesthouses and resorts are located in the Grape Valley scenic area.
Turpan Transportation: How to Get to & Travel around
How to Get to Turpan
Turpan has an airport and four train stations, making it convenient to get to the city. Turpan Jiaohe Airport is about 10.5km from Turpan city center and offers direct flights to/from Xian, Chengdu, Changsha, Zhengzhou, Kashgar, and other major cities in Xinjiang.
From Urumqi to Turpan, a bullet train ride takes no more than 1 hour. The city also has high-speed train lines from Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Korla, etc.
Also, you can take normal trains to Turpan from most major cities in the country, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc.
From Urumqi to Turpan, a bullet train ride takes no more than 1 hour. The city also has high-speed train lines from Xian, Lanzhou, Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Korla, etc.
Also, you can take normal trains to Turpan from most major cities in the country, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, etc.
How to Travel around Turpan
The major means of public transportation in Turpan are buses, taxis, and locally featured donkey taxis.
The donkey-drawn cart is a traditional and fun way to stroll through local bazaars and head to nearby suburbs. Make sure to negotiate the fare in advance.
There are 8 bus routes in the city, with a uniform fare of CNY 1 per ride. Bus Routes 1, 6, and 102 will take you to the Emin Minaret. Bus No. 5 will take you to the Grape Valley. To reach the Karez Well Folk Culture Park, you can take Bus No. 1, 101, and 102.
Taxi fare within the city is around CNY 5. To get to attractions outside the city, you should negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand.
The donkey-drawn cart is a traditional and fun way to stroll through local bazaars and head to nearby suburbs. Make sure to negotiate the fare in advance.
There are 8 bus routes in the city, with a uniform fare of CNY 1 per ride. Bus Routes 1, 6, and 102 will take you to the Emin Minaret. Bus No. 5 will take you to the Grape Valley. To reach the Karez Well Folk Culture Park, you can take Bus No. 1, 101, and 102.
Taxi fare within the city is around CNY 5. To get to attractions outside the city, you should negotiate the fare with the driver beforehand.
Turpan Travel Tips
- Sun protection: Temperatures often exceed 40°C and are accompanied by strong ultraviolet rays in summer. So, it is essential to take necessary sun protection measures.
- If you travel to Turpan in the summer, consider arranging outdoor activities in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the midday heat.
- Turpan Railway Station is located far from the city center, so avoid choosing it as your arrival or departure station.
- If you plan to visit multiple attractions, it is recommended to hire a car or join a local tour for more convenience.
- Please be respectful of the local Uyghur customs and culture.
- Top food recommendations in Turpan include grilled lamb skewers, pilaf, naan, and grapes.
Top Silk Road Tours with Turpan
3 Days Turpan Highlights Tour with Kumtag DesertKarez System, Turpan Museum, Jiaohe Ancient City, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon, Tuyuk Valley, Kumtag Desert
5 Days Extended Urumqi Tour in Xinjiang with SkiingHeavenly Lake, Xinjiang Regional Museum, Xinjiang International Bazaar, Tuyugou Valley, Flaming Mountains, Karez Well, Jiaohe Ruins, etc.
7 Days Classic Xinjiang Tour from KashgarKarakuri Lake, Kashgar Old Town, Handicrafts Market, Id Kah Mosque, Karaz Well, Emin Minaret, Jiaohe Ruins, Bizeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Tuyugou Valley, Flaming Mountain, Heavenly Lake, etc.
