Explore Turpan’s rich history and stunning landscapes on a private tour. Discover ancient ruins, vibrant villages, and architectural wonders tailored to your interests.
Explore Turpan’s rich history and stunning landscapes on a private tour. Discover ancient ruins, vibrant villages, and architectural wonders tailored to your interests.
- Turpan - Guests will be collected from their hotel or the north train station at their chosen time by a private sedan. The schedule is flexible to suit the group’s timing, as this is a private tour with no additional passengers, accommodating up to 5 guests per booking. Locations or highlights can be modified or skipped according to preferences….
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Turpan - Guests will be collected from their hotel or the north train station at their chosen time by a private sedan. The schedule is flexible to suit the group’s timing, as this is a private tour with no additional passengers, accommodating up to 5 guests per booking. Locations or highlights can be modified or skipped according to preferences. Upon arrival, guests can choose not to enter a site if they prefer. Additionally, stops can be requested at any time during the journey.
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Emin Minaret (Su Gong Ta) - Constructed in 1777 to honor the esteemed Uyghur general and later Turpan governor, Emin Khoja, who allied with Qing China during the Junggar rebellion. After Emin Khoja’s passing, his son Suleiman governed Turpan and funded the minaret, designed by the famous Uighur architect Ibrahim. It is regarded as the most renowned Islamic monument in China.
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Karez System - Known as a karez well, this traditional underground irrigation system in the Turpan region of China, specifically in the Turpan Depression, was established over 2000 years ago. It consists of vertical wells and underground water canals that gather water from the watershed to irrigate the arid land.
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Grape Valley - Located on the western slopes of the Flaming Mountains, a thirty-minute drive northeast from Turpan county, it is open for visits except in winter. From Turpan, the Flaming Mountains appear as glowing barren red sand. However, Grape Valley offers a unique beauty in stark contrast to the hot, dry, and barren surroundings. Home to about 6,000 people from the Uygur, Hui, and Han nationalities, the valley has over 400 hectares of cultivated land, with 220 hectares dedicated to grape-growing. Varieties include seedless white, rose-pink, mare-teat, black, Kashihar, bijiagan, and suosuo. Visitors can explore without entering the site and avoid the entry fee.
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Flaming Mountains (Huoyan Shan) - These barren, eroded red sandstone hills in the Tian Shan of Xinjiang, near the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert and east of Turpan, have striking gullies and trenches from erosion, giving them a flaming appearance at certain times. The climate is harsh, with extremely high summer temperatures. One of China’s largest thermometers is displayed nearby, tracking ground temperatures.
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Ancient City of Gaochang (Kharakhoja) - Once a bustling capital of a significant kingdom controlling over twenty towns, it was a busy trading hub and Silk Road stop. Destroyed in 14th-century wars, it was a natural fortress atop a steep cliff on a leaf-shaped plateau between two deep river valleys. Visitors can choose to visit either Jiohe or Gaochang.
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Shanshan County - This is a one-hour rest period where guests can enjoy local Xinjiang cuisine.
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Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves - Created over several centuries until the XIII century when Islam began replacing Buddhism in East Turkestan. Many well-preserved frescoes have survived, depicting Buddha in various forms and illustrating the region’s history and culture. As one of Xinjiang’s largest grotto sites, Bezeklik Caves is renowned for its vibrant murals and is a treasure trove of Buddhist culture and art. Despite some destruction, the remaining murals offer insight into this precious art.
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Tuyugouxiang - One of Xinjiang Uighur’s oldest settlements, dating back over 2,000 years, this ancient Uyghur village provides a glimpse into local life with traditional mud-brick homes, vineyards, and orchards. It is home to a sacred Muslim site, the tomb of the first Uyghur Muslim, and several Buddhist relics, attracting many local and foreign pilgrims.
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Tuyugou Scenic Area - Tuyoq Grand Canyon is a mystical area in northwest China, a convergence of notable religions, histories, and cultures. Ten of the more than 40 caverns contain intact murals, believed to be Turpan’s oldest caves, excavated during the Wei, Jin, Southern, and Northern Dynasties, with the latest discovery in the Tang Dynasty. Most are square with a central pillar, and while many murals are damaged, each has a unique style. They are valuable Buddhist cultural resources from Turpan and the Western Regions, now designated as an important cultural site in a protected autonomous region.
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Turpan - After a fulfilling day, guests will be returned to their hotel or the north train station. As the tour is crowd-dependent, some locations may be adjusted to avoid crowds based on group preferences.

- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Turpan or Turpan North railway station
- All Fees and Taxes
- Fuel fee, Toll fee & Parking fee
- English Speaking Driver & Guide
- Visit as per itinerary features
- Private air-conditioned sedan car (up to 5 pax)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Turpan or Turpan North railway station
- All Fees and Taxes
- Fuel fee, Toll fee & Parking fee
- English Speaking Driver & Guide
- Visit as per itinerary features
- Private air-conditioned sedan car (up to 5 pax)
- Entry fee to Flaming mountain 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Karez Wells - 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Grape Valley, 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Emin Minerat - 45 yuan each
- Entry fee to Tuyuk Village - 30 yuan each
- Entry fee to Bezeklik caves - 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Gaochang Ruins or Jiohe, 70 yuan each
- Entry fee to Flaming mountain 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Karez Wells - 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Grape Valley, 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Emin Minerat - 45 yuan each
- Entry fee to Tuyuk Village - 30 yuan each
- Entry fee to Bezeklik caves - 40 yuan each
- Entry fee to Gaochang Ruins or Jiohe, 70 yuan each
Explore the unique landscapes and historical treasures of Turpan on this full-day private tour. Experience the best of Turpan, including its natural and historical landmarks. Visit the stunning Emin Minaret, stroll through the lively Tuyuk Village, and admire architectural wonders such as the Bezeklik Caves, Gaochang, or Jiaohe Ruins.
Turpan is known as…
Explore the unique landscapes and historical treasures of Turpan on this full-day private tour. Experience the best of Turpan, including its natural and historical landmarks. Visit the stunning Emin Minaret, stroll through the lively Tuyuk Village, and admire architectural wonders such as the Bezeklik Caves, Gaochang, or Jiaohe Ruins.
Turpan is known as one of the lowest regions in China, predominantly inhabited by Uyghurs, with summer temperatures often exceeding 40°C, and sometimes reaching over 50°C. Departure times vary with the seasons, especially with changes in dawn or sunset times; a personalized start time is available.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff will guide you on an unforgettable Silk Road adventure, with a personalized itinerary tailored to your interests. Feel free to let them know if you wish to skip any particular highlights. Conclude the day with a home-like experience on this personalized fast trip that covers all the attractions in one day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.