Treasure of China NO:36 Turpan, Xinjiang

Author: Hao Tianjiao Bai Zhenkui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Turpan is an important tourist city in Xinjiang. It blends ancient civilizations with modern charm, captivating visitors with its unique blend of elegance and ruggedness, simplicity and passion, leaving them longing to return and cherish memories forever. The towering Tianshan Mountains and the vast green grasslands are the epitome of natural beauty. The mysterious Tianchi Lake and the pure snow-laden ice-lotus are even more enchanting, which is why many consider the Tianshan Mountains as the symbol of Xinjiang.
Historically known as Gushi, Turpan was a crucial hub on the ancient Silk Road, located in the central part of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, bordering Urumqi to the north across the Tianshan Mountains. With a long history and mystical allure, Turpan has been the political, economic, and cultural center of China's western region and a key Silk Road city since the Han Dynasty. It was renamed Turpan during the Ming Dynasty and established as a direct prefecture by the Qing Dynasty after the unification of Xinjiang. In December 1984, it was approved by the State Council to be upgraded from a county to a city. The city covers an area of 15,738 square kilometers. It is home to 24 ethnic groups, including Uyghurs, Han, Hui, Kazakhs, Russians, Manchu, Zhuang, and Miao, with Uyghurs accounting for 71% of the population.
Turpan is located in the Turpan Basin, known as the "Fire Basin" due to its unique climate. It is renowned as the "City of Grapes" for its abundant production of fruits like grapes and watermelons. Among them, the seedless white grapes of Turpan are famous both domestically and internationally. The raisins made from these grapes are prized worldwide for their high sugar content, rich vitamin C, and vibrant green color, ranking among the finest varieties globally.
Beyond its fragrant grapes and melons, unique landscapes, and ethnic customs, Turpan boasts numerous historical and cultural sites. There are 14 key cultural relic protection units at the national and regional levels. The ancient cities of Gaochang, Jiaohe, and the Old City, which have withstood over two millennia of, the murals of the Beziklik Thousand-Buddha Cave that have endured the test of time, the Astana Ancient Tombs containing mummies thousands of years old, the uniquely structured Islamic tower of Saigon, the mythical Flaming Mountains from Journey to the West, the magnificent underground irrigation system of the Karez, the enchanting love songs of grape girls in the vineyards, the distinctive bazaar culture, the vibrant Uyghur songs and dances under the grape arbors, and the world-famous fossil of the gigantic rhino dating back 24 million years make Turpan a treasure trove of ancient cultural heritage and a natural and historical museum integrating the "Fire Basin," "Wind Basin," "Sand Basin," and "Green Basin."
Turpan has over 70 ancient cultural relics, including primitive sites, ruins of ancient cities, ancient tombs, grottoes, beacon towers and post stations, and rock paintings. Among them, five are nationally protected cultural relic sites. Tens of thousands of artifacts have been unearthed, though the exact number is difficult to ascertain. Many have dispersed overseas and are now preserved in museums in Germany, Japan, Russia, the UK, India, North Korea, the US, and other countries. Among these, silk textiles representing the Silk Road and ancient documents of great historical value are particularly renowned.
Xinjiang's unique Karez system is especially prominent in Turpan, with over 1,100 channels spanning more than 5,000 kilometers. This highly specialized irrigation system was developed to minimize evaporation. Locals dig underground channels to guide water, watching it flow gently through hidden tunnels. It is said that the longest Karez is 8 kilometers long, with as many as 300 vertical ventilation wells, demonstrating the immense effort involved! Thus, the Karez is not only the lifeblood of Turpan but also of Xinjiang. Interestingly, the Karez channels were precisely located along the ancient Silk Road, including Iran, Turkmenistan, and Xinjiang, Gansu, and Shaanxi in China. It is almost certain that it is related to the Silk Road. As for the origin of this technology—was it from the West, the Central Plains, or locally? Theories vary, but it is likely that Turpan holds the key.