A symphony of flames, oases and millennia of civilization

🌡️ Things to know before you go ❤️
- Best season: April-May (apricot blossoms), September-October (grape harvest), avoid the extremely high temperatures (45℃+) in July-August.
- Dressing Guide:
- Summer: sun protection clothing + wide-brimmed hat + sunglasses (the ground temperature is enough to fry an egg).
- Spring and Autumn: Light coat + anti-wind and sand scarf.
- Cultural Tips: Respect Uyghur customs and do not make noise in the mosque. ✨

---

🚗 Transportation options
- Big traffic:
- ✈️ Plane: Urumqi→Turpan (1 hour), or train (1.5 hours).
- 🚗 Self-driving: Take G30 Lianhuo Expressway from Urumqi (about 3 hours).
- Local transportation: charter car (about 400-600 yuan/day) or taxi. The scenic spots are scattered and public transportation is inconvenient.

---

📜 3 days 2 nights Highlights Route ✌🏻️
Day 1: Huoyan Mountain + Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves + Grape Valley
- 09:00 Huoyan Mountain (check in at the surface thermometer, ride a camel and take photos).
- 💡 Summer vacation tips: Go early in the morning or in the evening, and go to the "Flame Mountain Grand Canyon" at noon instead.
- 12:00 Lunch: Kuoshimakala baked buns (crispy skin and fragrant meat).
- 14:00 Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves (Buddhist murals from the Tang Dynasty, remnants of Western Region art).
- 17:00 Grape Valley (Afanti’s former residence + Folk Village, picking seedless white grapes).
- 20:00 Check in to Grape Valley B&B or return to the city.

Day 2: Jiaohe Ancient City + Karez + Tuyugou
- 09:00 Jiaohe Ancient City (the world's largest earthen site, looks like a battleship from aerial photography).
- 12:00 Lunch: Sulaiman noodles (fried noodles with kava drink).
- 14:00 Karez Paradise (underground Great Wall, experience the 20℃ cool underground canal).
- 17:00 Tuyugou Mazar Village (2,600-year-old yellow clay ancient village, a holy place for photography).
- 20:00 Return to the city to visit the "night market" (recommended: roasted whole lamb, yogurt rice dumplings).

Day 3: Gaochang Ancient City + Ayding Lake (optional)
- 09:00 Gaochang Ancient City (where Xuanzang preached, more spacious than Jiaohe).
- 12:00 Lunch: Alikaimu pilaf (the lamb leg pilaf is super delicious).
- 14:00 Optional:
- Aiding Lake (the lowest point on land in China, -154 meters).
- Or Turpan Museum (Mummy Exhibition Hall + Giant Rhinoceros Fossil).

---

🍇 Must-eat food list
| Food | Recommended Shops | Highlights |
|----------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| Grapes/Cantaloupe | Grape Valley Farmhouse | Pick and eat right after, so sweet! |
| Baked buns | Kuoshimakala | Crispy skin + mutton fat and fragrant juice |
| Big plate chicken | Fuai Night Market | Served with belt noodles to soak up the broth |
| Yogurt Zongzi | Street cart | Cool, sweet and sour to relieve the heat |

---

🏨 Accommodation recommendations
- In Grape Valley: "Anarguli B&B" (starry sky room under the grape trellis).
- Comfortable in the city: "Turpan Huozhou Hotel" (powerful air conditioning and convenient transportation).
- Special experience: "Tuyugou Village B&B" (earthen bed room + Uyghur home visit).

---

⚠️ Pitfall avoidance guide
1. Heatstroke prevention: Try to visit indoor attractions (such as museums and karez) from 10:00 to 18:00.
2. Shopping: It is cheaper to buy raisins in Shanshan County and avoid the vendors in the scenic area.
3. Tickets: It is more cost-effective to buy a "combination ticket" (including 5 attractions such as Jiaohe and Karez).
4. Taking photos: The light in Maza Village is soft in the afternoon, and there are few people in Huoyan Mountain in the morning.

---

📸 The filming location you can’t miss
- A bird's-eye view of the "Big Buddha Temple Ruins" in Jiaohe Ancient City.
- Tuyugou "Mosque + Earth Building Complex".
- Grape Valley "Century-old Vine Tunnel".

---

✨ Final Tips:
Turpan is a "sweet miracle born from an extreme environment" - be in awe of nature during the day and feast on delicious food at night. Remember to bring enough 512G memory cards! ☪️☪️