Urumqi-Turpan: Tuyugou Valley + Jiaohe Ancient City + Karez Wells + Emin Minaret
After breakfast, you will drive 180 kilometers, about 3 hours, to Turpan, China's lowest, driest, sweetest, and hottest fire-prefecture. Summer temperatures here can reach around 50°C. It is also an important outpost on the Silk Road. Along the way, you will pass the charming Salt Lake and Asia's largest wind power station at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains.
Upon arrival in Turpan, you will continue along the Flaming Mountains Grand Canyon to Tuyugou. Along the way, you can admire Turpan's most representative landscape—the Flaming Mountains. [Flaming Mountains] are composed of red sandstone, conglomerate, and mudstone, stretching over 100 kilometers. The mountain body is reddish-brown. Because under the scorching sun the mountain glows and sparkles like burning flames, it got its name. The Flaming Mountains are also an important location in the Chinese classic "Journey to the West." You can stop at suitable spots along the way for photos.
Then follow the winding mountain road along the cliff edge of the Flaming Mountains directly to Mazha Village in [Tuyugou]. [Mazha Village] is an ancient Uyghur village in Xinjiang that completely preserves ancient Uyghur traditions and folk customs. People use the ancient Uyghur language to communicate and wear clothing with the most distinctive ethnic characteristics. Here you can learn about traditional Uyghur lifestyle and customs.
Afterward, visit the Jiaohe Ancient City, one of the best-preserved ancient city ruins on the Silk Road. [Jiaohe Ancient City] was founded and built by the Cheshi people from the 2nd century BC to the 5th century AD. It was once the capital of the "Former Cheshi Kingdom," one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions. The existing ruins are the world's largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen architecture city, and also China's most complete urban relic preserved for over two thousand years. Here you can walk along the paths to the core scenic area, admire the ruins of residential areas, government offices, and Buddhist temples, and enjoy a panoramic view from the central platform. With the guide's explanation, you can look back on the bustling Silk Road trade scene.
After the visit, proceed to see the Karez Wells, one of ancient China's three great projects. [Karez Wells] are a special irrigation system in desert areas, ranking alongside the Great Wall and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Here you can experience the unique coolness of Turpan's hot summer, appreciate the life wisdom of ancient ancestors, and learn about the great feat of how ancient craftsmen channeled Tianshan snowmelt from dozens of kilometers away through karez to become clear spring water here, irrigating tens of thousands of mu of vineyards.
Then continue to visit the Sugong Tower, one of Turpan's iconic buildings. [Sugong Tower], also known as Emin Tower or Emin Khoja Thanksgiving Tower, was first built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It is a commemorative structure built by Emin Khoja, the Jasak Doroi Junwang of the Turpan Hui region, to "repay heavenly grace." It consists of a temple, minaret, and mazar. Here you can admire its unique Islamic architectural style and learn about its long history and culture. In addition, the mosque next to it is also well worth seeing. After the visit, head to Turpan for overnight rest.
🍽️ Breakfast included
🏨 Turpan