Welcome to Turpan! | An Introduction to Uyghur Life in Western Xinjiang, China
Known as the Heart of Uyghur Culture, there's a reason why the tiny town of Turpan is so popular. Learn more about what to see and do in Turpan here:
Also, if you're going to be traveling to Xinjiang, don't forget to grab a copy of the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide, the only comprehensive guide to the entire region:
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Welcome to Turpan!
Located two hours southeast of the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi, the city of Turpan offers a beautiful view of the Uyghur culture, one of the reasons it's become such a popular place to visit.
The Uyghur people make up approximately 70% of the population and their history in the region goes back thousands of years.
Turpan used to be a stop along the ancient Silk Road and many of the best places to visit in the city, including the Jiaohe Ruins (交河故城) and Gaochang Ancient City (高昌故城), allow visitors to walk among historical remnants that date back as early as 100 B.C.
In addition to ancient cities, Turpan is also home to the Bezeklik Caves (柏孜克里克), once a treasure trove of Buddhist art, the Karez (坎儿井), a Uyghur irrigation system that is an engineering marvel, the Emin Minaret (苏公塔), the Flaming Mountains (火焰山), Grape Valley (葡萄沟) and much, much more.
But enough with the tourist stuff. In my opinion, what really makes Turpan awesome is the small town atmosphere that lets you experience Uyghur culture outside the confines of a big city.
The market, the street food and especially the night life are probably as memorable, if not more so, than the sites you see during the day.
Turpan is a city you won't forget and one that you won't regret visiting.
ANCIENT KAREZ WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM OF TURPAN, WESTERN CHINA
One of the ancient world's greatest civil engineering feats.
Travel to Turpan! Top 5 Places to Visit in Xinjiang's Beautiful Silk Road Oasis
The heart of Uyghur culture can be found in Turpan, a city in China's far west region of Xinjiang. Here are the top 5 places to visit! Read more:
Are you traveling to Turpan? Don't forget to grab a copy of the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide. Learn more here:
Special thanks to my friend Uyghur Abdurehim for providing a performance of the dutar that was used as the background music for this video.
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This video was filmed using:
- DJI Osmo:
- DJI Phantom 3:
- Canon 70D:
- GoPro Hero3 Silver:
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Silk Road W China Turpan and Urumqi
The hottest places, some below sea level in NW China. Part of our trek across the Xingyang province along the Silk Road.
Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), Turpan, China 4539E250 936F 48B8 96C7 8B707D15750E
Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto), Turpan, China.
One of the world's architectural wonders hides in Yarnaz Valley, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) west of Turpan. Like a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters (98.4feet). The largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world, Jiaohe is 1,650 meters (5,413 feet) by 300 meters (984 feet) at its widest; with an area of 220,000 square meters (2,368,168 square feet). It was included in the World Heritage List on June 22, 2014.
The ancient city was the capital of the former Cheshi State. An Indian proverb says, 'Intelligence is bound to exist where two rivers meet'. Jiaohe, meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet, is such a place. According to historical records it was home to 700 households, 6500 residents plus 865 soldiers.
【K】China Travel-Turpan[중국여행-투루판]세계 제일 건포도 생산지, 푸타오거우/Putaogou Raisin/Local Life/Grape
■ KBS 걸어서 세계속으로 PD들이 직접 만든 해외여행전문 유투브 채널 【Everywhere, K】
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[한국어 정보]
투루판은 세계 제일의 건포도 생산지다. 푸타오거우라는 포도마을을 찾았다. 포도넝쿨이 하늘을 가린 포도밭에서는 포도 수확이 한창이다. 일조량 많고 고온 건조한 기후 덕에 당도 높은 포도송이가 주렁주렁 매달려 있다. 당장 내다 팔 것과 건포도용으로 구분한 후 주인아저씨는 포도 상자를 싣고 어디론가 길을 나선다. 뒤를 쫓아가보니 포도를 널어 말리는 건조장이다. 포도마을은 세집 중 한집이 건조장일 만큼 포도농사가 잘되는 곳이다. 바람이 잘 통하도록 격자무늬로 구멍을 낸 건조장 안에는 수확한 순서대로 포도가 널려 있다. 포도를 널어놓기만 하면 투루판의 뜨거운 태양과 바람이 건포도를 만들어낸다. “포도를 30-40일쯤 말리면 건포도가 됩니다. 8월에 수확해서 9월 말이나 10월 초가 되면 건포도가 만들어지는데 금방 다 팔려요.“ 그런데 황량한 불모의 땅에서 어떻게 포도가 자랄 수 있을까? 청년을 따라 산언덕으로 올라가니 뜨겁고 메마른 화염산 자락이 한 눈에 들어온다. 계곡 아래로 푸른 숲이 이어지고 바닥에는 놀랍게도 강물이 흐른다. 5월이 되면 텐산의 눈이 녹기 시작하고 계곡을 따라 흘러 강을 이룬다. 뜨겁고 메마른 땅에 생명의 기적이 만들어 진다.
[English: Google Translator]
Turpan raisins production fall are the best in the world. Fu Tao found a town called geowoo grapes. In this vineyard vines eclipsed the sky Grape harvest is in full swing. Lots of sunshine a high temperature high sugar content in grapes hanging dry climate thanks clustered. Now separated for eight raisins that sets out the way ahead and the owner uncle somewhere carrying a box of grapes. Followed by a chase gaboni geonjojang hang to dry the grapes. The village is a well-grape vine farming the same house as one of the geonjojang sejip. The wind has within the drilled holes in a grid pattern to geonjojang well as harvest the grapes scattered through the order. Just drag the grapes hang in the hot sun and wind produce Turpan raisins. Curled a shipment arriving will be the raisin grapes 30-40. When the August harvest by the end of September or October, the thatch is made with raisins makin yo sell it quickly. But how can a desolate barren land to grow grapes? Going up along the foot of the Flaming Mountains impoverished youth in hot saneondeok come at a glance. The green forests in the valley below flows the river Spree surprisingly floor. When in May of this tensan snow begins to melt and form a river flows along the valley. The miracle of life is created in the hot and arid land.
[Chinese: Google Translator]
吐鲁番葡萄干产量下降是世界上最好的。傅涛发现了一个叫geowoo葡萄镇。在这藤蔓葡萄园黯然失色天空葡萄收获全面展开。充足的阳光高温高糖含量的葡萄挂聚集气候干燥的感谢。现在分开八葡萄干，列出了前进的道路和业主叔叔某处携带一箱葡萄。随之而来的是追逐gaboni geonjojang悬挂晾干葡萄。该村是一个良好的葡萄种植业在同一所房子的geonjojang sejip之一。风具有内以网格图案钻了孔，以geonjojang以及收获通过顺序散射的葡萄。只需拖动的葡萄挂在烈日和风力生产吐鲁番葡萄干。 “卷曲装运到达的将是葡萄干的葡萄30-40。当收获八月九月或十月月底，茅草制成葡萄干出不来哟很快把它卖掉。”但如何能在荒凉贫瘠的土地上种植葡萄？往上沿着火焰山脚下热saneondeok来一目了然贫困青年。绿色的森林山谷下方流动的施普雷河出奇的地板上。当在此tensan雪月开始熔化并形成一种河流沿山谷流动。生命的奇迹是在炎热和干旱的土地创造。
[Information]
■클립명: 아시아037-중국12-09 세계 제일 건포도 생산지, 푸타오거우/Putaogou Raisin/Local Life/Grape
■여행, 촬영, 편집, 원고: 현상윤 PD (travel, filming, editing, writing: KBS TV Producer)
■촬영일자: 2007년 9월 September
[Keywords]
아시아,Asia,동북아시아,중국,China,현상윤,2007,9월 September,신장웨이우얼자치구,Xinjiang Uygur
Best Attractions and Places to See in Turpan, China
Turpan Travel Guide. MUST WATCH. Top things you have to do in Turpan. We have sorted Tourist Attractions in Turpan for You. Discover Turpan as per the Traveler Resources given by our Travel Specialists. You will not miss any fun thing to do in Turpan.
This Video has covered Best Attractions and Things to do in Turpan.
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List of Best Things to do in Turpan, China
Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)
Turpan Museum
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)
Karez System
Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)
Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan)
Uygur Ancient Village
Grape Valley
Shanshan County
DELICIOUS Local Snack in a tiny Uyghur Village Outside Turpan (Xinjiang, China)
Most people have never heard of Uyghur Sangza or 馓子, but it's an amazingly delicious snack that you'll find everywhere in Xinjiang, especially during the Qurban festival.
Watch more Xinjiang food videos:
Traveling to Xinjiang? Check out the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide, the most complete travel guide for China available anywhere. Download a free planning chapter here:
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The town of Turpan is located a couple hours southeast of Xinjiang's regional capital of Urumqi. While there are many Han Chinese that reside within the city center, the majority of the population in the many towns and villages that surround Turpan are Uyghur.
These small towns have some of the nicest, most friendly people you'll ever meet. While I was walking down this one-street village an hour and a half east of Turpan, I was invited into the home of a Uyghur gentleman whose family was preparing for the big Qurban Festival (also known as Corban or Eid al-Adha).
One of the most common traditions among Uyghur during Qurban is to prepare these towers of fried noodles known as Sangza, or in Chinese 馓子. Making this Uyghur street food is a tedious process but the end result is a beautiful food display that graces the center of almost every table in every Uyghur home during this time of year.
If you're ever traveling to Xinjiang, you have to give Sangza a try! It's a fun China street food and a great introduction to another part of the Uyghur culture here in Xinjiang, China.
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About FarWestChina:
Hi! I'm Josh Summers, a travel blogger and vlogger who has lived out in China's Xinjiang region for the better part of a decade. I've had the opportunity to travel all over this province taking pictures and videos to share with friends and family.
I've written for the BBC, Lonely Planet and many other great publications. I love introducing this part of China - a part that usually only gets negative attention - to the rest of the world. I hope you enjoy!
See a collection of my beautiful photos on Instagram:
Or follow my travels in real time on Facebook:
Turpan, Xinjiang - karez canals 新疆吐魯番
Turpan, Xinjiang 新疆吐魯番
【Travelogue HQ】 Ethnic Odyssey (09) Turpan of Xinjiang 2/2
Channel: CCTV-News International
Program: Travelogue
Date: 2009-04-11
Description: Ethnic Odyssey (09) Turpan of Xinjiang 2/2
Video Series ID: aJkYd92Xa98H9CeBuUbLLQ==
Multipart Video ID: 4s9opwNmSqITCoU5T4dpwA==
Karez Canals | Ancient Underground Water System [Turpan / East Turkestan / China]
Karez systems are the crystallization of ancient people's diligence and intelligence. At its peak, this irrigation system exceeded 5,000 km (3,106 miles) and was also referred to as 'the underground Great Wall'. It is among the three ancient major irrigation projects with the other two being Ling Canal and Dujiangyan Irrigation Project.
Karez systems are the life source of Turpan. In a sense, without them, there would be no Turpan culture. According to records, the history of the karez in Xinjiang dates back to 103B.C. Currently there are still over 400 systems.
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Turpan on the Chinese Silk Road and ancient Yar City
This was can important oasis on the Silk Road and the second lowest place on earth. Yar City was devastated by Gengis Khan and date back to perhaps 100 BC. The ancient buildings of the Uyghur village of Mazar are preserved in the style in which they were constructed.
New life for ancient city of Kashgar
The ancient city of Kashgar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. In 2015, it officially became a national 5-A tourist attraction, the highest level granted by the government. Living conditions in Kashgar have also greatly improved over the past few years.
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Urumqi Night Market - with Brief History of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
Brief history of Uyghurs in Xinjiang (by Sogdia)
** Before Chinese Han Dynasty 200 BC:
Central Asia was a region predominately occupied by ancient Persian tribes such as the sedentary Sogdians ( 粟特), Chorasmians (花剌子模) and, the semi-nomadic such as Scythians (斯基泰, 西徐亞, 塞種), and Alans (奄蔡). The ancient sedentary population played an important role in the history of Central Asia. Tajiks, Pashtuns (普什图), Pamiris (塔吉克) and other Persian groups are still present in the region. The ancient Persian language (Dari) is still the official language in Afganistan and in some areas in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Turkic group of people, such as Uyghurs, came to Central Asia very late in history (after 800 AD), much later than Han Chinese did in 200 BC.
** Chinese Han Dynasty in Xinjiang (206 BC to 220 AD):
Han Chinese extended its power influence in the forms of territory and protectorates in today's Xinjiang, part of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Today's Xinjinag was again under the power influence (protectorates and territory) of Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) and became territory of Qing Dynasty (1644-1911AD). Peoples Republic of China has taken over the territory sovereignty over Xinjiang from Qing Dynasty and Republic of China.
** Uyghur emigrated in Xinjiang (840-850 AD):
Uyghur Empires (742-848 AD, 回纥 or 回鶻) was in today's Mongolia with the capital at Ordu Baliq that located 300 km west of Ulaanbaatar (close to Town of Hotont) and it was annihilated by Kyrgyz tribe in 848 AD. The Kyrgyz destroyed and burned down every Uyghur cities and villages throughout the empire. Three groups of Uyghurs escaped from the annihilation. One group escaped to today's Gansu area and assimilated with Han Chinese. Another group escaped to today's Turpan in central Xinjiang. The last group escaped further west and scattered over today's Kashgar in south Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan, Tajkistan and Uzbekistan.
Uyghurs has never had appreciable presence in north Xinjiang. They are mostly concentrated in Kashgar, Khotan, Aksu, and Kizilsu areas in south Xinjiang and Turpan in central Xinjiang. Uyghur is about 46% of the total population in Xinjiang, Han 40% and Kazak 7%. To call Xinjiang as UYGHUR Autonomous Region is highly debatable.
** Xiongnu, Turkics and Turks
Turkics/Turks are Turko-Mongolian Tribes originated from today's Mongolia area. The ancesters of Uyghurs (维吾尔) is Xiongnu (匈奴). The earliest written record of Xiongnu or Turk (Tujue, 突厥) in history was in Han Dynasty around 200BC. The earliest use of the term Uyghur in history was in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD). Earlier historical written records of Xiongnu, Turk or Uyghur are all done by Han Chinese because they lacked the ability of reading and writing.
The Reading and writing is an essential for any moderate sophisticated society during the evolution. Some civilization had never reached to such level of sophistication before it vanished. The transition from nomadic to sedentary is an important evolution in the early human civilization history. The four oldest human civilizations all arose on the basins of major rivers; Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus and Yellow Rivers, where the fertile alluvial farm lands were easily found.
Farming, villages, cities, state-nation, different social classes, political and economic systems are the backbone of the civilization. In the process of evolution, the need for written records for economic and political affairs occurred naturally. That was why all these old civilization had evolved the writings as earlier as in 5000BC or 6000BC
The relatively primitive nature of Turkish/Turkic culture has always influenced by the outside cultures. First the Persian influence, then Arab, and European is the most recently.
All Turkic people have learnt how to read and write very late in human hostory. Uyghur was the first Turkic group learnt the reading and writing after they emigrated from Kyrgyz annihilation in Mongolia to today's Turpan and Tarim Basin. The writing script they used was from the ancient Persian Sogdiana script.
Arab had huge influence on Turks/Turkics after 800 or 900 AD as Turks/Turkics have adapted Islam religion and change into the Arabic scripts in writing.
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the father of modern Turkey, wanted to Europeanize Turks in 1920s with the intention to get rid of Arabic influence. He wanted Turks to dress like Europeans, and write like Europeans. However, after almost 60 years of continuous efforts, Turkey is still not accepted as the full membership at EU.
Thanks to the Chinese government for preserving the minority culture, All the Turkic minorities, including Uyghur, still uses the Arab writing script as today. All other Turkic or Turkish groups in other countries have changed to either Russian Cyrillic or Latin alphabet.
Journey to Xinjiang-Turpan
Turpan City consists of Gaochang district, Shanshan county and Toksun County. It lies in the eastern section of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and south of the Tianshan Mountains. Turpan was a major crossroad for ancient Eurasia and an important city on the Silk Road. It is also the place where four ancient civilizations gathered and communicated with each other. Follow CGTN to experience the city!
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CHINESE ADVENTURES - Xinjiang Province - Urumqi & Turpan
My husband and I spent 12 days in Urumqi with a couple of day trips over to Turpan in October 2018. We arrived when the weather was 17 degrees and left when it was 1! Xinjiang is a place constantly in the news currently for lots of reasons and tourists are advised not to go. But we wanted to make our our minds up. We are so glad we did. We got to see the the good as well as some of the bad and the ugly. Here it is.
Also: we now have a blog on our visit too:
Please excuse some of the strange cuts - some editing software trouble. Hopefully it still makes sense.
#ChineseAdventures #BudgetTravel #Backpackers
Music by Hajajim. (in Jiaohe city)
Turpan Yuanyang Xiapu
China Turpan Yuanyang Xiapu
Is Xinjiang China's Most Dangerous Province?
Join YPT in the deserts and oasis towns of China’s Far West!
From the ancient city of Kashgar, through small Uyghur towns on the southern Silk Road, we cross the Taklamakan Desert to Turpan, the lowest city in China at 142m below sea level.
The Xinjiang Far West tour starts in the historic city of Kashgar, closer geographically to Tehran and Damascus than to Beijing, a border town between China and the Central Asian states of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and the site where traditional Uyghur life hits the Chinese state head-on. We visit the old town, livestock market and main bazaar and, being YPT, can’t miss out on the huge statue of Chairman Mao in People’s Square.
We check out small Uyghur towns that haven’t been developed along the Kashgar model, yet, and skirt the Taklamakan Desert as we go. On the north of the desert, we spend a day at Kuqa’s amazing Thousand Buddha caves, reminding us that before the spread of Islam southern Xinjiang was the place where Buddhism entered China.
Lastly, we hang out in the Turpan, China’s Death Valley, the lowest and hottest place in China. In the countryside outside the city, it’s surprisingly green though and we wander the ruins of ancient cities and stop in a Uyghur holy village for lunch.
If you’d like to see some more Central Asia while you’re here, you could join us for the Silk Road Summer Tour, which visits Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan as well or simply the Kyrgyzstan Independence Day and Xinjiang Combo to combine the best of these two locations and one of China’s least travelled border crossings.
【Travelogue HQ】 Ethnic Odyssey (09) Turpan of Xinjiang 1/2
Channel: CCTV-News International
Program: Travelogue
Date: 2009-04-11
Description: Ethnic Odyssey (09) Turpan of Xinjiang 1/2
Video Series ID: aJkYd92Xa98H9CeBuUbLLQ==
Multipart Video ID: 4s9opwNmSqITCoU5T4dpwA==
Protecting Ancient Wells in China
- Since ancient times, people in the Turpan Basin of China have relied on the well system known as Karez to provide water.....but no longer.