Saturday, September 8. 2007
Turpan
Turpan makes for a pretty hot city, located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region it is about 35-40C.
After arriving from a 12 hour train ride and a having a relaxing lunch, visited the lowest point in China (2nd lowest in the world). 156m below sea level. In the middle of the salt flats at the lowest point was about 45C. Took a an hour of a bumpy ride in a mini-bus to get there (and an hour back out too).
From there on to visit a small village out of Turpan. The Xinjiang Region is largely muslim, this little village with it mosque and mud/clay houses look more like something out of footage of the Middle East. Stand there look out of the small place, was easy to think were no longer in China. Some of the houses there are over 300-400 years old.
After arriving from a 12 hour train ride and a having a relaxing lunch, visited the lowest point in China (2nd lowest in the world). 156m below sea level. In the middle of the salt flats at the lowest point was about 45C. Took a an hour of a bumpy ride in a mini-bus to get there (and an hour back out too).
From there on to visit a small village out of Turpan. The Xinjiang Region is largely muslim, this little village with it mosque and mud/clay houses look more like something out of footage of the Middle East. Stand there look out of the small place, was easy to think were no longer in China. Some of the houses there are over 300-400 years old.
The government has set up admission to enter the village. Sadly very little of the money goes to the village.
Today made for a pretty relaxing day visiting other sights around Turpan. The Ancient City of Jiaohe was about 2200 years old an built in mud brick style, was deserted about 700 years ago.
The Karez is an underground irrigation system supports the life around Turpan. Underground are thousands of miles of tunnels drawing water from the water table and flowing it around the region. An impressive engineering feat considering parts of it date back 2000 years.
This afternoons late lunch was a relaxing way to end a bit of touring. In the vinyards around Turpan under the grape trees eating lunch and having a little wine in the sun. The only downside it Chinese wine isn't the greatest I've had, but was still nice and the food was amazing...
Tomorrow of to Heavenly Lake to stay in Yurts for a couple of night and then some long days of bus rides...
Today made for a pretty relaxing day visiting other sights around Turpan. The Ancient City of Jiaohe was about 2200 years old an built in mud brick style, was deserted about 700 years ago.
The Karez is an underground irrigation system supports the life around Turpan. Underground are thousands of miles of tunnels drawing water from the water table and flowing it around the region. An impressive engineering feat considering parts of it date back 2000 years.
This afternoons late lunch was a relaxing way to end a bit of touring. In the vinyards around Turpan under the grape trees eating lunch and having a little wine in the sun. The only downside it Chinese wine isn't the greatest I've had, but was still nice and the food was amazing...
Tomorrow of to Heavenly Lake to stay in Yurts for a couple of night and then some long days of bus rides...
Posted by Scott Walsh
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Date: 11/04/2006
