Turpan

　　　　Turpan, anciently known as Gushi, was a key town along the ancient Silk Road. It is located in the central part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north of the Tianshan Mountains adjacent to Urumqi. 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 on 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, it was officially approved by the State Council to become a city. The city covers an area of 15,738 square kilometers and is home to 24 ethnic groups including Uyghur, Han, Hui, Kazakh, Russian, Manchu, Zhuang, and Miao, among which the Uyghur people make up 71% of the total population.

　　　　Located in the Turpan Basin, the area is known as the “Land of Fire.” Due to its unique climate, it produces abundant fruits such as grapes and watermelons, earning it the renowned title of “City of Grapes.” Among them, Turpan seedless white grapes are famous both domestically and internationally. The raisins made from these grapes are considered treasures among global raisin varieties due to their high sugar content, high vitamin C levels, and vibrant green color.

　　　　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 regional-level key cultural heritage protection units alone. The ancient cities of Gaochang, Jiaohe, and the old city have stood for over two thousand years. The murals in the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, weathered yet magnificent, the Astana Tombs that house ancient mummies thousands of years old, the uniquely structured Su Gong Ta Islamic tower from the Qing Dynasty, the mythically legendary Flaming Mountains from Journey to the West, the grand underground irrigation channels known as karez, the heartfelt love songs of grape girls in the vineyards, the distinctive charm of local bazaars, the vibrant Uyghur song and dance performances under grape trellises, and the world-unique 24-million-year-old giant rhinoceros fossils all make Turpan a treasure trove of ancient cultural heritage and a natural geographic and historical museum that combines the “Land of Fire,” “Land of Wind,” “Land of Sand,” and “Land of Oasis.”

　　　　Turpan is home to more than 70 types of ancient cultural relics, ranging from primitive sites, ancient city ruins, tombs, grotto temples, beacon towers, and rock paintings, to those from more recent times. Among them, five are 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 textiles representing the Silk Road and ancient manuscripts of significant historical value are the most renowned.

　　　　The uniquely Xinjiang-style karez irrigation system is especially prominent in Turpan, with over 1,100 karez stretching more than 5,000 kilometers in total. This is an extremely special irrigation method. To reduce evaporation, locals adopted this underground water diversion technique. By going underground, you can see the gentle flow of water through the dark channels. It is said that the longest karez stretches 8 kilometers, with up to three hundred vertical shafts used for ventilation — an impressive feat indeed. Therefore, the karez is not only the lifeblood of Turpan but also of Xinjiang. Interestingly, karez systems are distributed along the routes of the ancient Silk Road, including areas in Iran, Turkmenistan, and China’s Xinjiang, Gansu, and Shaanxi regions. It is almost certain that they are related to the Silk Road. As for the origin of the karez technology — whether from the West, Central Plains, or locally — opinions vary, but Turpan is most likely the birthplace.

　　　　Turpan is an important tourist city in Xinjiang. It blends ancient civilization with modern charm, captivating visitors with its unique character that is both tender and rugged, simple and passionate, leaving them with lifelong memories.