Text by CRI Reporter Zhang Xiaoyu / Photos from baidu.com

One Day in Turpan

Located approximately 80 meters below sea level, Turpan is a dry and extremely hot city. Nicknamed the "Oven", the city has temperatures in the summer soaring to 40°C. In contrast, winters are bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping to -15°C. Most visitors try to avoid the cold season between November and March.

Despite the extreme weather, visitors enjoy coming to this relaxing and friendly town. 70% of the population is Uigurs and they make a concerted effort to make visitors feel welcomed.

The name "Turpan" is synonymous to grapes and wine, the area's most famous products. Despite the stifling heat and dry climate, delicious and succulent grapes are cultivated here due to the ingenuous irrigation system installed over 2,000 years ago that transfers water from the glaciers.

Although Turpan is no longer a major Chinese city, during the Han dynasty (206-220BC) it was a crucial part of the Silk Road. The ancient cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang were strategically important and powerful centers of trade. The ruins of both these cities can be found near modern day Turpan.

A Willow Leaf in Xinjiang: the Ancient City of Jiaohe

Once you travel to Turpan, Xinjang, you can't miss one of the world's architectural wonders hiding in Yarnaz Valley, 10 kilometers west of Turpan.

Shaped in a willow leaf, the ancient city of Jiaohe (Yarkhoto) with a history of 2300 years lies between two rivers on a loess plateau atop a cliff of over 30 meters.

It is also the largest, oldest and best-preserved earthen city in the world.

An Indian proverb says, "Intelligence is bound to exist where two rivers meet". Jiaohe, meaning in Chinese where two rivers meet, is exactly such a place. According to historical records, it was home to 700 households, 6500 residents, plus 865 soldiers. But walking on the city avenue, you can only feel the vanished glory from those golden, earthen relics.

Jiaohe distinguishes itself from other ancient cities with three features. First, it had only two city gates, the South and East Gates. The main South Gate vanished long ago, leaving a huge breach. The East Gate cut by the cliff was virtually non-existent. Second, the city faces cliffs on three sides, so there are no city walls, which is commonly seen in other ancient cities. Third, all the buildings were not built on the ground, but were dug from earth, to keep warm in winters and cold in summers. Wood was rarely used.

Clickto listen to a famous Chinese folk song The Grapes in Turpan Have Matured (turn to the next page for details).

Click to share your travel experience in Xinjiang at Talk China

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