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.