Turpan: an oasis of grapes in Xinjiang

Asia » China » Xinjiang » Turpan
July 17th 2013

Published: July 17th 2013

I believe there are 3 places that stand out in Xinjiang province in terms of popularity. The first one is naturally Urumuqi because it’s the capital of the province and it’s also the largest and most developed city in this huge province. The second one is Kashgar because of its location in the far west of Xinjiang. It’s the gateway to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or Pakistan and it’s the heart o... Read Full Entry

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Jeremy Chiron

Jeremyaroundtheworld

I am a 36-year old language teacher, currently working in Beijing. I was born in France but China has been my home for many years. I taught French and English in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, for 6 years. I never thought I would stay in China for such a long time but it’s been an amazing experience! Professionally speaking, teaching Chinese students is extremely rewarding. They are so hard-working and eager to learn new things. And then China… there aren’t enough words to describe this intricate (hence fascinating) country. “China is not to be liked or disliked: i... full info

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visiting Turpan

over the vineyards

My little Xinjiang girl

;-)

Han people don't like to take pictures of tombs. they say it's bad luck

how about some liver?

Becky and Jiaolu in Turpan

hungry, girls?

Da Pan Ji! Chicken and potatoes

July 2013

Flaming Mountains near Turpan

The Flaming Mountains received their name from a fantasy account of a Buddhist monk, accompanied by a Monkey King with magical powers, who runs into a wall of flames on his pilgrimage to India in the popular 16th century novel, Journey to the West, by Ming Dynasty writer, Wu Cheng'en.

They litterally jumped on me and asked Becky to take pictures with me

then they asked us for money... This is the Monkey King in case you were wondering

hottest place in China?

feel the heat!

Becky walking towards the scorching Flaming Mountains

happy as always in the desert

Flaming Mountains

According to the classical novel Journey to the West, the Monkey King created a disturbance in the heavens and knocked over a kiln, causing embers to fall from the sky to the place where the Flaming Mountains are now. In an Uigur legend, a dragon lived in the Tianshan Mountains. Because the dragon ate little children, an Uigur hero slew the dragon and cut it into eight pieces. The dragon's blood turned into a scarlet mountain of blood and the eight pieces became the eight valleys in the Flaming Mountains.

Fun memory in Turpan

walking in sand at the Flaming Mountains

18th July 2013

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Actually Turpan is -154m below sea level...
the third lowest depression in the world. But it's a true oasis...thanks for the pictures with all the vineyards.

18th July 2013

Jeremyaroundtheworld
Jeremy Chiron

you're right about the depression being below sea Level, but ...
I think the city of Turpan is built 30m above sea level. You check for me?

18th July 2013

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

You're right...
the town is +30m above sea level!

21st July 2013

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Flaming Mountains
Camels & magestic eroded mountains...place of dreams

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Turpan: an oasis of grapes in Xinjiang

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