Turpan Attractions
Turpan lies in northwest China in the center of the Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, in the valley of the same name; the latter covers an area of 50,000sq.km/19,300sq.mi and, being 154m/505ft below sea-level, is the second lowest region on earth after the Dead Sea. Turpan is three hours by train or five hours by bus from the regional capital Ürümqi.
The average summer temperature is 32°C (90°F), but in July this sometimes reaches as high as 50°C (122°F). The winters are cold and dry. The number of frost-free days is between 220 and 270. Average annual rainfall is a mere 10 mm (0·4 in).
Over the years, in attempts to counteract the drought conditions, more than 1000 wells and an underground canal network more than 3000km/1900mi long have been dug, to conduct water from Tianshin into the Turpan Valley.
The main crops grown are grapes, melons and cotton, the ''three treasures of the Turpan Valley''. The very sweet and seedless Turpan grapes are dried to make Xinjiang raisins which are sold throughout China and abroad. The sweet Hami melons, which have been grown here for over 1000 years and can weigh as much as 15kg/33lb, are famous throughout the country.
The Turpan district on the Silk Road was known as a busy trading region as long as 2200 years ago.
Between the 2nd C BC and the 5th C AD the rulers of the Cheshi kingdom resided in Jiaohe, 10km/6mi west of present-day Turpan. Around the middle of the 7th C the Tang dynasty established a government in Turpan to ensure better control of the surrounding regions.
The average summer temperature is 32°C (90°F), but in July this sometimes reaches as high as 50°C (122°F). The winters are cold and dry. The number of frost-free days is between 220 and 270. Average annual rainfall is a mere 10 mm (0·4 in).
Over the years, in attempts to counteract the drought conditions, more than 1000 wells and an underground canal network more than 3000km/1900mi long have been dug, to conduct water from Tianshin into the Turpan Valley.
The main crops grown are grapes, melons and cotton, the ''three treasures of the Turpan Valley''. The very sweet and seedless Turpan grapes are dried to make Xinjiang raisins which are sold throughout China and abroad. The sweet Hami melons, which have been grown here for over 1000 years and can weigh as much as 15kg/33lb, are famous throughout the country.
The Turpan district on the Silk Road was known as a busy trading region as long as 2200 years ago.
Between the 2nd C BC and the 5th C AD the rulers of the Cheshi kingdom resided in Jiaohe, 10km/6mi west of present-day Turpan. Around the middle of the 7th C the Tang dynasty established a government in Turpan to ensure better control of the surrounding regions.
Emin Mosque
The Emin Mosque was built in the Afghanistan style in the second half of the 18th C. Its tapering minaret (sugong ta in Chinese) is 44m/145ft high.
Turpan Surroundings
Jiaohe
2200 years ago Jiaohe, 10km/6mi west of Turpan, was the capital of the Cheshi kingdom. After the 10th C it declined rapidly, and in the 14th C was razed to the ground by Genghis Khan's armies.
The Jiaohe site (Jiaohe Yizhi) measures 1km/1100yd from north to south and 300m/330yd from east to west. Remains from the Tang period (618-907) include a number of roofless houses, a large but collapsed temple and several roads leading to a main street.
Remains of Buddhist statues can still be seen in the temple niches.
The Jiaohe site (Jiaohe Yizhi) measures 1km/1100yd from north to south and 300m/330yd from east to west. Remains from the Tang period (618-907) include a number of roofless houses, a large but collapsed temple and several roads leading to a main street.
Remains of Buddhist statues can still be seen in the temple niches.
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Thousand Buddha Caves of Bezeklik
The Thousand Buddha Caves of Bezeklik are made up of 57 caves featuring impressive wall drawings and frescoes.
Astana Tombs
To the northwest of Gaochang lie the Astana Tombs, where the dead were buried from the 3rd to 9th C.
Hundreds of tombs have been uncovered, and three are open to visitors.
Hundreds of tombs have been uncovered, and three are open to visitors.
Cave of a Thousand Buddhas in Kizil
75km/46mi west of Kuqa (west of Turpan) in the steep banks of the Mujat River is the Cave of a Thousand Buddhas of Kizil, the oldest of China's Buddhist caves. For about 500 years from the 3rd C 236 caves were made of which 136 are still intact. Some can be visited. The grottoes which indicate Indian and Sassanidic influences contain beautiful murals representing scenes from the life of Buddha.
