Turpan

Turpan

Turpan, anciently known as Gushi, was a key town on the ancient Silk Road. Located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, it neighbors Urumqi to the north across the Tianshan Mountains. With a long and fascinating history, Turpan has been the political, economic, and cultural center of China’s Western Regions since the Han dynasties, and a vital hub along the Silk Road.

Since the Ming Dynasty, it has been called Turpan. After the Qing Dynasty unified Xinjiang, the Turpan Direct-Controlled Prefecture was established. In December 1984, with the approval of the State Council, the county was abolished and the city was founded. The city covers an area of 15,738 square kilometers. It is home to 24 ethnic groups including Uyghur, Han, Hui, Kazakh, Russian, Manchu, Zhuang, and Miao, among which the Uyghur people account for 71% of the total population.

Turpan is situated in the Turpan Basin and is often referred to as the “Land of Fire.” Due to its unique climate, it produces abundant fruits such as grapes and watermelons, earning it a renowned reputation as the “City of Grapes.” Among them, the seedless white grapes of Turpan are famous both domestically and internationally. The raisins made from them, known for their high sugar content, high vitamin C levels, and vibrant green color, are considered treasures among the world’s raisin varieties.

In addition to its fragrant and sweet grapes and melons, unique landforms, and rich ethnic culture, Turpan boasts numerous historical sites. There are fourteen national and autonomous region-level key cultural heritage protection units alone. The ancient cities of Gaochang and Jiaohe, which have withstood over two thousand years of history, the murals of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves that have witnessed the passage of time, the Astana Ancient Tombs that house millennia-old mummies, the uniquely structured Su Gong Ta Islamic tower from the Qing Dynasty, the mythical and legendary Flaming Mountains from Journey to the West, the magnificent man-made underground irrigation channels known as karez, the enchanting love songs of grape maidens in the vineyards, the distinctive flavors of the “bazaar,” the vibrant Uyghur song and dance performances under the grape trellises, and the unparalleled giant rhinoceros fossils dating back 24 million years all contribute to making Turpan a treasure trove of ancient cultural and historical heritage and a natural geographical and historical museum that encompasses the “Land of Fire,” “Land of Wind,” “Land of Sand,” and “Land of Oasis.”

Turpan has more than 70 ancient cultural relics, including primitive sites, ancient city ruins, tombs, grotto temples, beacon towers, and rock paintings, up to the modern era. Among them, there are five national key cultural heritage protection units. Tens of thousands of unearthed artifacts have been discovered, though the exact number is difficult to determine. Many have been scattered overseas and are preserved in museums in countries such as Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, India, North Korea, and the United States. Among these artifacts, silk fabrics representing the Silk Road and ancient manuscripts of significant historical value are the most famous.

A uniquely characteristic feature of Turpan is its karez system, which is particularly prominent here, with as many as 1,100 karez channels stretching over 5,000 kilometers in total. This is an extremely special irrigation system. To reduce evaporation, locals adopted this underground water diversion method. By going underground, one can see the gentle flow of water moving slowly through the dark canals. It is said that the longest karez channel is 8 kilometers long, with up to 300 vertical shafts for ventilation, which is quite an extraordinary feat. Therefore, the karez system is not only the lifeblood of Turpan but also of Xinjiang. Interestingly, the distribution of karez channels coincides with the ancient Silk Road, spanning regions such as Iran, Turkmenistan, and China’s Xinjiang, Gansu, and Shaanxi, almost certainly linking it to the Silk Road. As for the origin of the karez technology—whether it came from the West, Central Plains, or was developed locally—theories vary, but it is most likely that Turpan played a major role.

Turpan is an important tourist city in Xinjiang. It blends ancient civilization with modern charm, captivating visitors with its unique personality and allure that is both tender and rugged, simple and passionate, leaving them with memories to cherish for a lifetime.