Silk Road Photo Gallery - Turpan
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Turpan is a desert oasis some 200 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest places on Earth. Despite the hot and dry weather, the locals have devised an ingenious way to direct mountain runoff for their daily activities. As a result, the basin is fertile with vibrant melon and grape-growing industries. The karez system is an underground canal network whose history dates back to the first century. Deep shafts direct water into the basin, which ends in a giant reservoir for irrigation and daily use.
Commercialization means a shop at the end of the tour.
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Grapes are dried in these naturally-ventilated buildings into raisins.
There wasn't a big commercialization presence on the streets, but there were definitely places to buy raisins around town.
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Jiaohe is estimated to be 2300 years old, sitting on an island plateau 30m above the river. It was once the capital of a small, ancient kingdom, and was first mentioned in Chinese text in the 2nd century BC due to war with Han Dynasty China. It eventually fell to the Chinese in the 5th century. Subsequently during the Tang Dynasty, Jiaohe prospered into a government, trading, and military post.
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The tourist paths are well-paved with ropes to prevent curious people from wandering into the sand. Workers monitor the site and blow their whistle at trespassers.
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Foundations of dense layers of mud kept the buildings secure. Walls were also made of packed mud.
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Jiaohe's fortunes turned during the Yuan Dynasty and the site was abandoned in the latter part of the 14th century. Natural erosion has changed the buildings into the ruins we see today.
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There are 2 main paths at the site. One leads to the observation point with views, and a lower path to the temple area.
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Emin Minaret is the tallest minaret in China. The complex is still a working mosque today but charges admission for visitors.
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Flame Mountain has an interesting reddish tone, but after paying the admission fee, the area turns into a theme park with lots of tacky statues to get people's attention away from the natural beauty. Add to that activities such as camel-riding, glider flights, and kids' activities, and the place feels like a zoo. Due to the Turpan Basin's low altitude and abundant sunshine, the area gets quite hot in the summer.
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