China (Turpan, Xinjiang) May 2006 D-5

Map of Xinjiang, China

Our train arrived in Turpan around 5.30am . It was cold in the morning. We took a bus (Rmb5) from the train station to the town centre, 20 mins away. We checked into Jiaotong Binguan (Rmb80 per room), which is near a bus terminal.

At the hostel building, we signed up with a local travel agency for a one day tour package ( private car with 3 tourists and 1 tour guide for Rmb200 per person to 1) Jianhoe Ruins 2) Sugong Minaret 3) Putao Gou - Grape Valley 4) Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves 5) Gaocang Ruins 6) Karez Irrigation Well 7) Flaming Mountain.

1) Jianhoe Ruins, Turpan, Xinjiang (Rmb40) - This is a an old dessert city built during the Hans dynasty as a garrison town to guard invaders from the north. We walked around the ruins of the old streets, main road and a monastery with Buddhist figures no longer there.

2) Karez Well, Turpan, Xinjiang - Some wells in Xinjiang were 2,000 yrs old. This underground well has crystal clear water to irrigate the barren farmlands in Turpan. The well was built on a higher ground so water can easily flow down without the use of a pump to the various village farmland below. Grapes are widely grown here and we passed by a grapevine yard where Uighur music, song and dance shows are normally held to entertain local visitors and tourists during the September harvesting season. We missed the fun coming in May - not the right timing ! However, you could buy dried raisins & sultanas at some stalls in front of building entrance.

3) Sugong Ta Minaret, Turpan, Xinjiang (Rmb30) - did not enter but took a picture from the front entrance. This is a Afghan style mosque built in 1777.

4) Putao Gou - Grape Valley (Rmb60) - supposed to have our lunch in the Grape Valley but changed our mind instead !

5) Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, Turpan, Xinjiang (Rmb30) - Famous for its wall murals of Buddhist figures and art. Nothing much to see inside except the outside earth building structure.

6) Flaming Mountain, Turpan, Xinjiang (Rmb40) - This is the hottest place in Xinjiang - over 45c. The Chinese classic fairly tale of "Journey to the West" made mention of this Flamming Mountain (Foh Yan Shan) and the Chinese monk, Xuan Zang and the Monkey God (Sun Wu Kong) passing through this mountain following the Silk Road trail to India. The various chambers inside the museum have a number of Buddhist scriptures and wall mural on the monk and monkey god. At the building center stood the tallest thermometer carrying a reading of the latest temperature of the day ! This place was like a hot oven !

7) Gaochang Ruins, Turpan, Xinjiang (Rmb30 + Rmb20 for a donkey ride) - This ancient city was built in the Tang dynasty (7th Century) . An important staging post on the Silk Road. The present ruins were the remains of the inner and outer city, palace and government administration area. As the place is vast, we had to take a donkey ride to visit all the major sites.

In the evening, we spent our time exploring the town area. Turpan is famous for the supplies of dried grapes. I took a picture pf a stone statue called "Grape Girls" in the town center.

" Hottest and lowest in the world - Unbelievable ! Come to Turpan, Xinjiang,  the hottest spot in China - highest day temperature recorded was 49C ! Turpan is the world second lowest city, 154m below sea level, after the Dead Sea ! "

Words of Wisdom for working people !