https://https://au.trip.com/toplist/tripbest/recommend/turpan/summer-outings/10070000035131
Water fun & Cool Retreats
Popular Water fun & Cool Retreats in Turpan [2025]
Table of contents
Show All Photos
Kumtag Desert
4.6
/5
1900 reviews
7.0
From AU$ 6.46
Based on 21 reviews
90.9 km from downtown
Phone +8609958389389
Address: Shanshan, Turpan, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.2 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Turpan
Saved by 146 users1286 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
It was my first time living in the desert. It was a very special experience. They said that buying a ticket once will always be effective. I will try it next time. I bought some fruit at the exit and met a kid selling fruit. I asked him where I could eat. He took me directly to his homestay in an electric car. Hahaha, I had a delicious and affordable meal. It was really an unexpected gain.
It's a vast, natural desert. Since I was in Xinjiang, I wanted to bring the kids to experience all the different landscapes. We trekked all the way here. The service from the scenic area staff and the transportation was excellent. We just didn't have the right timing. We arrived around 11 AM in early August, and it was incredibly hot. Even walking a few steps in the sun was uncomfortable; I felt a bit breathless. The sandboard we rented at the entrance didn't work, and we couldn't get down. 😭
I recommend avoiding the afternoons between 1 and 4 PM. Don't underestimate the power of nature. We couldn't stand the heat after just a short walk. I really admire the ancients' perseverance in trekking through the desert! The view will be much better if you come in the evening 🌆~
Coming to the desert 🏜️ and enjoying some activities, coupled with the perfect temperature, I believe it will be a wonderful experience.
⚠️1. Be sure to wear sunscreen; you'll get tanned in no time.
2. You can rent sandboards inside the scenic area for the same price as at the entrance: a large one for 20 yuan, a small one for 10 yuan. We rented one from the entrance and had to lug it all the way there, and we couldn't really use it. It was so uncomfortable.
3. Enjoy the activities you should enjoy, otherwise it won't be fun.
4. Pack light and don't bring too much food and drinks. Prices inside the scenic area are reasonable. Instant noodles are around 7 yuan, and self-heating rice is around 25 yuan. It's not outrageous. Bringing too much stuff will either require storage or carrying it on your back, which is exhausting.
5. Arrive early or late, and definitely avoid midday; the heat is so intense 🥵that it's truly unbearable...
6. If you come by train, you need to plan your time for the tour. The two shuttle buses in the scenic area take more than half an hour one way. Be sure to ask for the time in advance and go to the train station in advance. We were one minute late and had to change our ticket. Fortunately, there were still tickets for the next train an hour later.
Show All Photos
Grape Valley
4.1
/5
2401 reviews
7.1
Based on 98 reviews
7.5 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687885
Address: Gaochang, Turpan, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 3 hours
No.1 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Turpan
1453 positive reviews10K views in last month
Verified user reviews
Grape Valley is perfect to visit at the end of July or the beginning of August because the grapes are ripe. You can see the ripe grapes on the trees and pick them yourself. It is really nice. I want to come again next time, but the weather is really hot.
It is really not worth visiting the scenic spot. Why is it rated as 5a? It is free of charge. Basically, you just take a car and shop. In addition, Turpan is too hot and the experience is very bad. I don't recommend it.
Show All Photos
Karez Folklore Garden
4.2
/5
1204 reviews
6.6
From AU$ 239.25
3.3 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687885
Address: Xincheng Rd, Gaochang Qu, Tulufan Shi, Xinjiang Weiwuerzizhiqu, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
No.3 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Turpan
Highlights:
Karez Valley Water Wading Adventure
The cool, healing mist of the Karez in summer
702 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
Verified user reviews
This scenic area is a bit small, and I finished it in less than an hour, but it was quite interesting to see the various structures of the Karez. Parking is very convenient, with a large parking lot at the entrance. It is also located in Turpan City, making it easy to drive.
The reservation was quite rushed, and later I found out that there are three scenic spots in Karez, Folk Custom Park, Jiaoheyi and Karez Paradise. The Folk Custom Park is closer to the city, and there is an old man's shop at the door that you can visit together. Jiaoheyi and the paradise are together, a little farther from the city, but it is said that Jiaoheyi can go down 60 meters underground for a better experience, but the Folk Custom Park is bigger.
1
