Just a short train ride from Urumqi, Turpan is a small town in the middle of the desert that makes for a great one or two day trip. It is a great place to experience a feel for Xinjiang. You can visit the remains of a two thousand year old city carved out of the desert rock, take a late afternoon walk among grape vines, and enjoy some inexpensive and delicious BBQ outside in the warm evening air.
Getting There
High speed trains go from Urumqi and Urumqinan (South) stations to Turpan (“Tulufan” on Chinese train tickets) North station. Turpan Station only serves slow trains and is located very far from the town, so make sure you get your ticket to Turpan North (Tulufanbei). The train takes 1 hour. Tickets can be booked on trip.com and cost around 50RMB one-way. When you get to the station in Urumqi, it is a good idea to have the confirmation numbers for both your tickets, outbound and return. You can save time by picking up both tickets. Just show both confirmation numbers to the ticket attendant and you will get two tickets.
Turpan North is located at the top of a hill, and the ride down to Turpan city centre, into the Turpan depression, is about 10KM. A taxi will cost around 30 RMB.
There are enough trains during the day that you can leave Urumqi in the morning and come back at night, although it might be less rushed to return to Urumqi the following day. You can also return from Turpan directly to the station in Urumqi and catch an onward train to Kashgar, as we did.
The high speed D trains to Turpan are comfortable and air conditioned.
In August 2018 Turpan was hot and dry with temperatures around 40 degrees celsius. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sunlight (as much as possible).
For sleeping we recommend the White Camel Hostel, located behind the Turpan Hotel, with cool and shaded private rooms for 150 RMB per night. The Turpan Hotel, in the same compound, has a pleasant outdoor restaurant (albeit with a picture-less menu). You can go to the refrigerators and pick out the skewers you would like.
Emin Minaret
The Emin Minaret is the tallest minaret in China. If you are staying in the centre of Turpan you can likely walk to this site, which takes you down some quiet side streets with decorated doors. Some of the grapes for which Turpan is famous are grown in fields beside the road. It would be best to walk here in the early morning or late afternoon. We did not actually pay to go in, since you are no longer allowed to climb up the minaret. The best view really is from the outside.
A taxi to the site would cost about 10RMB.
Jiaohe Ancient Ruins
The ancient city of Yarkhoto was built on a large island in the river, in the middle of the hot desert. Buildings were carved out of the ground, and built up with bricks, and the result is pretty spectacular.
The site opens at 9AM, so visit in the early morning to avoid the heat. Located 10KM west of town, along the main road, a taxi there will set you back 30RMB.
It costs 40RMB to get into the site, and another 30RMB for a minibus that takes you from the ticket office about 2 KM up a hill to the actual ruins. This is a classic China tourist attraction setup, with the extra bus ride, but given the heat, the extra cost is worth it. Once you are dropped off, you walk up a ramp to onto the island. There are panels providing directions and historical information, but little shade.
To return, negotiate with one of the taxis dropping people off. We did not have any trouble finding a ride, although you might have to pay a bit more for the return trip.
