Mostly known as Tulufan. The area around the city, the Turpan Depression is the lowest point in China and second lowest on Earth after the Dead Sea at meters below sea level.
It is very dry and sometimes very hot, well into the 40'sC. The local people have developed karez, an irrigation system composed of wells connected by underground channels, to counter the heat and drought of the place.
No place in China is hotter than Flaming Mountain in Turpan, a mountain made famous by the classic Chinese mythological novel, Journey to the West.
Turpan is famous for their grapes, grown primarily for raisins but also wine. The town runs from the bus station, through the market and up long pedestrian walk way, lined with places to eat and covered with grape vines which is cool and inviting in the summer. Travelling to Turpan by air is a cozy choice. It is recommended to fly to the Urumqi airport first and take a bus to Turpan.
Long-distance buses are available from to every day. Taxi and donkey cart are main transportations inside Turpan. It is a good choice to take a short trip by donkey cart to go around the city. Buses are available from bus station in Daheyan come out past the taxis and turn right up the hill and follow the locals. It is on the right after 5 minutes. Taxis will charge as little as 50 down hill and they want to get home for the whole taxi and are worth it if your hotel is far from the bus station.
