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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in Turpan [2025]
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Flaming Mountain Scenic Area
4.1
/5
2549 reviews
7.4
From AU$ 8.56
Based on 194 reviews
26.8 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687885
Address: North of National Highway 312, Gaochang District, Turpan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-4 hours
Highlights:
Journey to the West experience
Microlight flight over Flaming Mountains
Saved by 143 users1416 positive reviews
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I went there in winter, but it wasn't cold even when the sun was shining. I always have to check in at famous attractions. It was cold and there weren't many people. I just walked around and looked around. There were many extra activities, but I didn't participate due to time constraints.
The Flaming Mountains are located in Turpan and stretch across the central Turpan Basin, starting from Taoergou in the west and ending at Baishugou in the east. It is bordered by Aydingkol Lake in the southwest, Kumtagh in the southeast, and the sloping plain in front of Bogda Mountain in the north.
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Grape Valley
4.1
/5
2438 reviews
7.0
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
Highlights:
Food & dance at Uyghur homestays
Flaming Mountain & Grape Valley contrast
1473 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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Overall it is worth a look, it has an exotic feel, but the business model is too simple and the same, the park car of more than 20 yuan is not expensive, it is okay to stop and go along the way
The Grape Valley Scenic Area, located northeast of Turpan City in Xinjiang, is a canyon on the west side of Huoyan Mountain. Named for its abundant grape production, it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.
Scenic Spot Features
1. Rich Grape Culture
Grape Valley cultivates hundreds of grape varieties, including seedless white, mare's milk, and red grapes. Known as "the sweetest grapes in the world," Grape Valley is known for its freshly picked and eaten grapes.
2. Summer Resort
The valley, shaded by trees and surrounded by streams, offers a cool climate, a stark contrast to the scorching temperatures of Huoyan Mountain, making it an ideal summer escape.
3. Five Major Tourist Areas (from north to south)
Grape Valley Amusement Park: Features the "Thousand Tears Spring" waterfall, century-old mulberry trees, and a grape corridor.
Wang Luobin Music and Art Museum: Exhibits the artistic career of Wang Luobin, the "King of Western Songs."
Dawazi Folk Culture Park: Enjoy traditional Uyghur high-wire walking performances.
Afanti Amusement Park: A folk park themed around Afanti culture.
Oasis Grape Manor: Experience grape-picking, winemaking, and other activities.
Address: Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang, approximately 11 kilometers from the city center.
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM–7:30 PM.
Admission Policy: Tickets will be withdrawn effective May 1, 2025.
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Kumtag Desert
4.6
/5
1922 reviews
7.0
From AU$ 6.43
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
Highlights:
Desert off-road & sand sliding
Experience ancient Uyghur sand therapy
Saved by 152 users1283 positive reviews
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The Kumtag Desert Scenic Area, located in Shanshan County, Turpan City, Xinjiang, is one of the world's closest deserts to a city and is renowned for its spectacular "city-sand symbiosis" phenomenon.
Admission: 30 RMB (adult).
Opening Hours: Peak Season (May-October): 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM. Off-Season (November-April): 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM.
Must-See Activities:
Camel Riding: The camel guide will assist with photo opportunities.
Desert Surfing: Ride the dunes like a roller coaster.
Sandboarding: Slide down a river on sand waves.
Sand Therapy: Experience hot sand baths in the summer to relieve fatigue.
The Kumtag Desert Scenic Area, located in Shanshan County, Turpan City, Xinjiang, is the only desert in the world closely connected to a city, earning it the nickname "the desert within the city." It lies south of the old town of Shanshan County, Xinjiang.
Attractions:
Desert surfing, sandboarding, camel riding, dune scooters/go-karts
Camping: Tent rentals, star-studded rooms, bonfire parties, and a live performance of "Night in Loulan" are available.
Photography Tips: A red dress and ethnic-style accessories are particularly effective in photos. Mornings and evenings are recommended for optimal lighting and shadows.
Opening Hours: Peak Season (April 21–October 20): 8:00 AM–8:30 PM. Off-Season (October 21–April 20): 9:30 AM–6:30 PM.
Ticket Price: Peak Season: 60 RMB, Off-Season: 30 RMB
No.
4
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Karez Folklore Garden
4.2
/5
1229 reviews
6.6
From AU$ 238.24
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:
Observe Karez System up close
Traditional bazaar & coin exchange
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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.
No.
5
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The Ancient City of Jiaohe
4.6
/5
1273 reviews
6.6
Based on 226 reviews
9.9 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687666
Address: Gaochang, Turpan, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 3 hours
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Turpan
Highlights:
Panoramic view of ancient ruins
World Heritage Site & cultural significance
Saved by 149 users869 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
The world's cultural heritage, historical and cultural relics, invited the explanation, while listening to the visual feast, intriguing, feel the profound sense of cultural heritage, it is worth a visit.
This is a scenic spot in the Jiaohe Ancient City Scenic Area. It is not very good. As you enter, you will see the landscape inside a man-made building. There are almost no ancient things in the scenic spot. Overall, it seems to be a newly built scenic spot on the land of the ancient village.
No.
6
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Turpan Karez Paradise
4.4
/5
421 reviews
6.0
6.3 km from downtown
Phone +8618999699202
Address: Yaer Village, Turpan City
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
No. 4 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Turpan
Highlights:
Karez wellhead view & oasis
Gobi oasis & sand dunes
331 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The karez is worth a visit, showing how human wisdom has reached its peak in solving the problem of survival. Nothing is impossible, only unimaginable. The working people have also shed blood and sweat, marveling at the miracle and paying tribute to life!
The same karez, built over three generations by the Baiyi family, has been divided into four scenic areas with similar names. It's best to visit one of these. Locals recommend the Karez Park, also known as the Old Well. It houses a museum that explains the principles of the karez clearly and concisely. The guides are excellent, explaining the history, how to find a water source, and how to determine the direction of the well. You can go down into the culvert to feel the water. There are also demonstrations of vertical wells, open channels, and the process of well drilling. The culvert has been carefully preserved to show you the original height of the culvert (Figure 4). There's also a display of the house of an old well-driller, and we even ran into one of the old well-drillers! There's a large grape corridor and grape drying room, perfect for photo opportunities! It's a great place for a family outing and educational activities. The fruit at the entrance stall is cheap and delicious, but prices inside the area are higher, so I wouldn't recommend buying anything. Across the street from the area, there's a local restaurant that looks quite good. It's a great place worth a visit!
No.
7
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Tuyugou
4.3
/5
94 reviews
5.9
43.1 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687666
Address: Tuyugou, Shanshan, Turpan, Xinjiang, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 4 hours
Highlights:
Explore the charm of yellow clay culture in Maza Village
Tuyugou Thousand Buddha Caves Religious Culture Intersection
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Located in Shanshan County, Turpan City, Xinjiang, the Tuyugou Scenic Area is a national 4A-level tourist attraction that blends natural beauty, history, culture, and folk customs. It is known as a "living fossil where the cultures of the Silk Road meet."
Key Highlights
Tuyugou Grand Canyon: Stretching 8 kilometers, home to the highest peak of Huoyan Mountain (831.7 meters), the canyon boasts vibrant colors and breathtaking scenery, making it a photographer's paradise.
Mazar Village: Xinjiang's oldest Uyghur village, with a history of over 1,700 years, retains a complete collection of earthen buildings and primitive folk customs, earning it the nickname "a living fossil of folklore."
Tuyugou Thousand Buddha Caves (Dinggu Temple): One of Xinjiang's earliest Buddhist caves, the 94 caves remain, some dating back to the Jin Dynasty. Remaining murals and Uighur inscriptions bear witness to the intersection of Buddhist and Islamic cultures.
Khojamu Mazar: An Islamic holy site, it is said to house the tomb of the first Muslim elders and their followers who came to Xinjiang to preach, attracting numerous Muslim pilgrims.
Opening Hours: Peak Season (April 21st - October 20th): 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM. Off-Season (October 21st - April 20th): 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM.
Ticket Price: Adults: 30 RMB.
The scenery is quite nice and has historical value. However, the weather was a little cloudy. It would have been much better if it were sunny. I'd definitely come back next time. There's also a grotto nearby that you could spend some time exploring.
No.
8
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Jiaohe Post Scenic Area—Source of Karez
4.3
/5
250 reviews
5.9
From AU$ 8.57
7.9 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687885
Address: No. 8 Kan'erjing Road, Gaochang District, Turpan City (opposite to the original unified tourism ticket center)
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 5 of Family-Friendly Attractions in Turpan
201 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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The Kanerjing source in Jiaoheyi is super interesting! You can see the source of the ancient underground water conservancy project with your own eyes. It's like an adventure to drill a tunnel. It's so cool in the summer that you don't want to come out! There are also post station ruins and grape trellises in the scenic area. It's just right to play for 1 hour. It's niche but worth checking in!
The first stop when we arrived at Turpan, people around us said they wanted to come here once to see the well source. After going down, it was very cool and comfortable. Turpan itself is hot, so it is still very good to visit this place, and the price is not expensive.
No.
9
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Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
4.2
/5
271 reviews
5.7
Based on 147 reviews
29 km from downtown
Phone +8609958687885
Address: 45 kilometers east of Turpan City in Turpan
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
1400-year-old Silk Road caves
Ancient Silk Road Buddhist art
148 positive reviewsRecently viewed by 1,000+ people
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This attraction is small but has great historical value. Many murals have been cut and stolen by foreigners, and some have been vandalized by local people. It is heartbreaking for the cultural relics. If you like history, you can come and take a look. It only takes half an hour to complete the tour.
Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves is a real treasure! Although the murals have been destroyed, the remaining Buddha statues and murals can still be seen as exquisite in those days, and the colors are particularly bright. The caves are opened on the cliff and are very spectacular. Friends who like history and culture must not miss it. However, the scenic area is not big, and one hour is enough to visit!
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