The 10 Best Things to Do in Turpan, China

July 18, 2017 Toi Mattera

Turpan in China, from Asia region, is best know for Ancient Ruins. Discover best things to do in Turpan with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Turpan

1. Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)

Jianggelemaisi Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000, China +86 995 866 7154
Excellent
49%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 180 reviews

Ancient City of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto)

Reviewed By Allan & Amy T - Edmonton, Canada

It is an ancient town full of history and archaeological findings
Before you go into the ruins, there is a model built showing its strategic location on top of the hill surrounded by river
One can identify and understand the life's of the people through the abandoned ruins e,g, the government buildings,place of worship ,a cemetery for children only
The scenery is beautiful

2. Turpan Museum

Gaochang Road, Turpan 838000, China
Excellent
42%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Turpan Museum

Reviewed By Jim B - Richmond, California

By all means visit this museum if you're in Turpan. The dinasour display is wonderful, attractively curated with good information. Definitely worth seeing. My only disappointment was the museum's second floor was being renovated which precluded our being able to view the ancient mummies.

3. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Shengjin Country, Turpan 838000, China
Excellent
23%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
29%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 112 reviews

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Reviewed By Jim B - Richmond, California

With most of the art taken away, these caves serve only as a reminder of the fortitude of the Buddhist artists who lived in them. The caves are worth seeing but are somewhat of a disappointment with all the art either taken out or disfigured.

4. Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)

Sanpu Country, Turpan 838000, China
Excellent
29%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
8%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 67 reviews

Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja)

Reviewed By arnels0n - Jackson, Wyoming

This and Jiaohe, as I noted in that review, are significant ancient city sites on the old Silk Road. Serving for several dynasties as the Uigher kingdom capital, Goachang was razed unfortunately by the Mongols in the 1400's and never brought back. A large portion of it was also subsequently bulldozed by Mao for use as agricultural land. It was a huge city, and again, after we left the gaggles of Chinese tourists who come to take one or two pictures and then go shopping, walking around the ruins was quiet and, to my mind, very interesting.

5. Turpan Kariz underground water system

About 30 minutes from Turpan, Turpan, China
Excellent
31%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 61 reviews

Turpan Kariz underground water system

Reviewed By JGDynamo - Halifax Region, Canada

The Turpan Karez underground water system is ingenious and current civilization could learn a lot about water usage and when it’s underground it evaporates a lot less. Very interesting methods used and neat little “museum” showing the methods and explaining irrigation but also a fair amount of people hawking souvenirs at you. Stop and haggle because it’s fun but not much worth buying mainly trinkets and kitsch.

6. Karez System

Xincheng Ximen Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000, China
Excellent
24%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
6%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 119 reviews

Karez System

Reviewed By ValerieM7651 - Shanghai, China

A must do, if you want to discover how they manage to have water in Turpan ! The site is also very nice, and the small musée very well done. It explains super well the system.

7. Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)

Munage Village, Putao Country, Turpan 838000, China +86 995 868 7555
Excellent
14%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
38%
Poor
6%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 89 reviews

Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta)

Reviewed By Robert C - Redlands, California

The dominating minaret and its delicate brickwork is the star of this site. However, another interesting feature is a pointed arch mihrab which faces the direction of Mecca. It is framed by a series of pointed arch doorways that are very distinctive. Very different from any other mosque I've visited.

8. Ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang, China

thirty-minute drive northeast from the Turpan county, Turpan 838000, China +86 773 382 1157
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 28 reviews

Ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang, China

Grape valley, gifted with Uyghur ethnic flavor, is a important station along ancient Silk Road from Xi'an to Lanzhou & Xinjiang, China

Reviewed By Peter D - Waikanae, New Zealand

Whatba fabled trail, thousands of years old and toady it can be travelled in style? Themustvsee places are Turpan, Kashgar and the Karakoram Highway to Pakistan. The Takla Markan Desert is every where,Mary,mstony and windy... Perilous for travelers on. Camels and donkeys trading silk. Go there before you die!

9. Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan)

Middle of Turpan Basin, Turpan 838200, China
Excellent
24%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
35%
Poor
13%
Terrible
7%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 152 reviews

Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan)

Reviewed By JeanWN - Singapore, Singapore

FLAMING MOUNTAINS: IMHO, a huge no biggie. 100kms long and 5-10kms wide stretching across the Turpan Depression. Average height of 500m and 800m at its highest point.
The visitors centre features a huge thermometer which says that this is the hottest spot in China. It frequently hits 50 deg C but pushed 74C the day I visited.
There is a legend of a monkey and a pig which escapes me at this time, although a pair of actors dressed up as a Monkey and a Pig said it all, I think.
It is said that one could cook eggs in the ground there, hmm I was thinking "char siew" BBQ Crispy! (see pic to know why.)

10. Uygur Ancient Village

Ya'er'guole Village, Ya'er Country, Turpan 838000, China
Excellent
22%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
14%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 27 reviews

Uygur Ancient Village

Reviewed By jtaylor946 - Guangzhou, China

The village is very ruined and there is trash everywhere. It was interesting to see the ancient village, but there were barely any people living there and there really isn't so much to see.

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