Turpan travel guide
Turpan is a magical place where ancient and modern civilizations merge. It is a meeting point of Eastern and Western cultures and religions, as well as home to the richest Silk Road heritage sites in China. Swedish scholar Gunnar Jarring described Turpan as "the world's richest open-air museum of archaeology." As Klingel wrote in Cultures Along the Silk Roads, "Hardly any other oasis is so richly colorful in its cultural aspect as Turpan. It is situated at the crossroads of a main east-west and north-south route. Culturally, Turpan is like a sponge, absorbing spiritual content and written forms from all directions...This oasis is so international that people from all over the world become one family here." Turpan's history as a Silk Road hub left it with a unique blend of Uyghur, Chinese, Persian, and Western influences still visible today in its people, architecture, food, and traditions. It remains a fascinating intersection of cultures and a gateway to exploring the ancient world.
Consumption level
Typing…Bank
Typing…Silk Road Turpan Grape Festival
The Turpan Grape Festival celebrates the bountiful grape harvest along the northern route of the ancient Silk Road each August. Visitors can taste the sun-ripened grapes that Turpan has been famous for since the Tang Dynasty, or sample superior wines at tasting events. Festive streets feature cultural performances of song and dance, cool summer evening parties, and dozens of stalls with snacks and local flavors. See folk arts and crafts at the Artisans' Street, cutting-edge technology at the Tech Street, and shop for fruits and melons along the Grape and Melon Street. The festival highlights Turpan's rich viticulture bolstered by an extensive karez underground irrigation system stretching back over 2,000 years. For a look at how fertile soil and hot summers have made Turpan an oasis of Uyghur culture and grape cultivation for centuries, join in the harvest revelry.
Best Travel Time
July September is the best time to travel to Turpan. If you want to experience the temperature of Turpan's "Huozhou", go from June to July; If you want to have a good time, eat well, and enjoy the best scenery, it's still September, which is the season when fruits and melons are ripe and on the market.Dressing Guidelines
Turpan's scorching summers and frigid winters necessitate proper attire when visiting this oasis city. Average annual temperature is 14°C, but summers see highs around 30°C. Expect 99 days above 35°C and 28 days surpassing 40°C. Though long at 152 days, Turpan's dry summer heat is tolerable given the stark temperature drop at night.
Winters plunge below -17°C on average, requiring layers of warm clothing. Situated in a basin, Turpan offers respite from sun exposure. Still, bring hats, sunglasses and ample moisturizer for the intense desert sun.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen keep you cool in summer. Swimwear, shorts and short sleeves are fine. In winter, bundle up in parkas, wool sweaters, thermals, gloves and scarves. Check forecasts and dress accordingly to comfortably experience Turpan's bazaars, ruins and vineyards against the backdrop of the Flaming Mountains. Proper attire enhances your trip through every season.
Customs taboos
Turpan's scorching summers and frigid winters necessitate proper attire when visiting this oasis city. Average annual temperature is 14°C, but summers see highs around 30°C. Expect 99 days above 35°C and 28 days surpassing 40°C. Though long at 152 days, Turpan's dry summer heat is tolerable given the stark temperature drop at night.
Winters plunge below -17°C on average, requiring layers of warm clothing. Situated in a basin, Turpan offers respite from sun exposure. Still, bring hats, sunglasses and ample moisturizer for the intense desert sun.
Lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton and linen keep you cool in summer. Swimwear, shorts and short sleeves are fine. In winter, bundle up in parkas, wool sweaters, thermals, gloves and scarves. Check forecasts and dress accordingly to comfortably experience Turpan's bazaars, ruins and vineyards against the backdrop of the Flaming Mountains. Proper attire enhances your trip through every season.
Tourism consulting
The Turpan Tourist Service Center is the central hub for visitor reception, travel information, tour guides, and attraction ticketing. Not only can you purchase individual tickets for Turpan's many sites, but discounted combo and annual passes offer great savings.
Location: 600 meters east of the 312 Highway Turpan Toll Station
Contact:
Phone: 0995-8687666
As your one-stop shop, the Service Center provides maps, free brochures, packaged and custom tours, and Uyghur handicrafts. Knowledgeable staff speak English and provide impartial advice on navigating Turpan's oasis scenery, ancient ruins, desert adventures, local culture, and more. With the center's assistance, exploring the Turpan region is made easy.
