Turpan Desert Ecological Tourism Scenic Area

Turpan Desert Ecological Tourism Scenic Area

The Turpan Desert Ecological Tourism Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The Turpan Desert Ecological Tourism Scenic Area is located 9 kilometers south of Turpan City. It includes five touring zones: the Desert Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Turpan, the Tamarisk Sand Hill Scenic Park, the Karez Observation Garden and Leisure Hall, the Desert Flora and Fauna Exhibition Hall, and the Xinjiang Residential Architecture Scenic Park.

The botanical garden spans over 500 acres and houses more than 500 species of desert plants. The garden features eight major zones, including the Desert Plant Introduction and Breeding Area, the Desert Plant Taxonomic Specimen Garden, the Tamarisk Special Garden, the Ex Situ Conservation Area for Rare and Endangered Desert Plants, and the Wild Ornamental Desert Plant Garden. The tamarisk sand hills offer a scenic area that combines sand therapy health benefits with sightseeing, enriching and expanding the appeal of the desert botanical garden tourism site. It not only promotes the human spirit of combating desertification but also showcases desert plant culture. Ancient karez wells, hailed as the "life givers of the oasis," can be found throughout the scenic area. Visitors can get up close to these primitive, unaltered ancient karez through vertical shafts.

The Turpan Desert Ecological Botanical Garden within the scenic area is a research base of the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is the lowest-altitude, largest-scale, and most comprehensive desert plant kingdom in China.

Opening Hours: 10:00–18:00

Ticket Price: 20 RMB

Contact Information: 0995-8678719, 9 kilometers south of Turpan City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Best Time to Visit: Turpan has a unique warm temperate continental arid desert climate and is the hottest place in China, often referred to as the “Land of Fire.” The annual average temperature is 14°C. For tourists, July, August, and September are the best months to visit Turpan, as this is when various fruits are ripe.

Complaints Hotline: 0995-8520171, Turpan City Tourism Complaints Hotline

Transportation Guide: Local Transport: Buses are available directly from the Turpan Bus Station to the scenic area.