Marianne Martinez
Turpan, also known as Turfan, is a city in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It is located in a mountain basin, on the northern side of the Turpan Depression, at an elevation of 30 metres above sea level. The city has a long history, with traces of human settlement dating back 6,000 years. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), it was known as Gushi and served as the capital of the Cheshiqian Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms in Xi Yu. The city has been influenced by various cultures, including Chinese, Turkic, Mongolian, and Persian, and was a significant centre of Buddhism on the Silk Road. Today, Turpan is known for its hot climate, grape production, and archaeological significance, attracting visitors interested in its ancient history and natural wonders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Middle of Xinjiang, China |
| Population | 693,988 (2020) |
| Area | 69,759 km2 (26,934 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 30 m (98 ft) above sea level |
| History | Traces of humans living in the region date back 6,000 years. Known as Gushi in the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-24 AD), it was the capital of the Cheshiqian Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms in Xi Yu. The name "Turpan" means "the lowest place" in the Uyghur language and "the fertile land" in Turki. |
| Climate | One of the hottest places in China, with summer temperatures reaching 47.8 °C (118 °F). |
| Attractions | Flaming Mountain, Aydingkol Lake (the second-lowest depression in the world), Emin Minaret, Ancient City of Jiaohe, Gaochang Ancient City, Karez System, Ancient Tombs, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves. |
| Culture | Local religion, rites, and architecture are steeped in Uygur history. Turpan was once a Buddhist center on the Silk Road. Music and dance are important aspects of the local culture. |
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What You'll Learn
- Turpan is a city in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China
- The city is located in a mountain basin and is the world's second-lowest place
- Turpan is one of the hottest places in China, with temperatures reaching 47.8 °C (118 °F) in summer
- The city has a long history, with traces of human settlement dating back 6,000 years
- Turpan was once the Buddhist centre of the Silk Road
Turpan is a city in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China
Turpan, also known as Turfan, is a city located in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It is a prefecture-level city with an area of 69,759 square kilometres (26,934 square miles) and a population of 693,988 as of 2020. The city is located about 150 kilometres (93 miles) southeast of Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang, in a mountain basin on the northern side of the Turpan Depression. The elevation of the city is 30 metres (98 feet) above sea level.
The history of Turpan dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement in the region for centuries. The city has a rich cultural heritage and has been influenced by various civilisations throughout its history. In 60 BC, Turpan was subdivided into two kingdoms between the Han dynasty and the Xiongnu Empire. The city changed hands several times between these two powers, with short periods of independence in between. After the fall of the Han dynasty in 220, the region enjoyed virtual independence but remained tributary to various dynasties. During this time, many Han Chinese and Sogdians settled in Turpan, contributing to its cultural diversity.
Turpan was a significant trade centre on the Silk Road, the ancient network of trade routes that connected East and West. It was known for its commerce and trade, with many inns catering to merchants and travellers. The city's location in the Tarim Basin made it a strategic asset, and it was fought over by various empires, including the Tibetan Empire, the Tang dynasty, and the Turks. The Tang dynasty conquered the region in 640 AD and renamed it Xi Prefecture (西州).
Agriculture and fruit farming have been traditional economic activities in Turpan, with grapes being a notable speciality. Today, Turpan is China's largest raisin-producing area, and the local government actively supports the growth of grape cultivation. In addition to grapes, the region also produces cotton, mulberry trees, apricots, and melons.
Turpan has a desert climate with long, extremely hot summers and short, very cold winters. The annual precipitation is low, and the city experiences a large seasonal variation in temperatures. Outside of the city is the Turfan volcano, which is said to have erupted in 1120 during the Song dynasty. The city has a rich geological history and is home to various tourist attractions, including the nearby Jiaohe site and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves.
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The city is located in a mountain basin and is the world's second-lowest place
The city of Turpan, also known as Turfan, is located in a mountain basin in the east of the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It is an olive-shaped intermountain basin surrounded by mountains on all sides, including the Flaming Mountains to the centre of the basin. The Flaming Mountains are 98 km long and 9 km wide, with the highest peak reaching an elevation of 831.7 m above sea level.
Turpan is the second-lowest depression in the world, with Aydingkol Lake in the south of the city being 155 meters below sea level. The city itself sits at an elevation of 30 m above sea level. The basin was formed in a shear zone during the Late Permian due to motion between the East European and Angaran cratons. It was further deformed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian Plates in the Cenozoic, which created the Flaming Mountains and Aydingkol Lake.
The Turpan Basin has a harsh, continental desert climate with extreme temperatures. It is widely known as the hottest place in China, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 47.8 °C. The city's low elevation and surrounding mountains likely contribute to its hot and dry weather. The average monthly temperature in January is −10 °C, while in July, it soars to 32 °C. Daily variations from these averages can be significant, and the highest temperature ever recorded in China was in Turpan, reaching 48 °C.
Agriculture in the Turpan Basin is limited by the arid conditions and is restricted to oases. The area is famous for its fruit production, with over 100 varieties of grapes cultivated, accounting for 90% of China's seedless grape crop. The unique climate also results in fruits with very high concentrations of sugar. Traditional irrigation methods in the region include the Karez System, which brings water from the surrounding mountain ranges to the basin.
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Turpan is one of the hottest places in China, with temperatures reaching 47.8 °C (118 °F) in summer
Turpan is a city located in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It is known for its extreme heat, with temperatures reaching as high as 47.8 °C (118 °F) in the summer. In fact, Turpan is recognised as the hottest place in China. This is due to its location in a mountain basin on the northern side of the Turpan Depression, at a low elevation of 30 m (98 ft) above sea level. The city is also known for its fruit, particularly its grapes, which thrive in the ample sunshine. The Grape Valley is a popular destination to enjoy the hundreds of grape varieties grown in the region.
Turpan has a rich history, with traces of human habitation dating back 6,000 years. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), it was known as Gushi and served as the capital of the Cheshiqian Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms in Xi Yu. The kingdom fell around 450 AD, and the region came under the influence of the Han culture. The city's name changed to Turpan during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), derived from the Uygur word meaning "the lowest place", reflecting its position as the lowest inland basin in the world.
Turpan is also known for its cultural significance, particularly along the ancient Silk Road. It was once a Buddhist centre, with the famous monk Xuan Zang preaching in the Ancient City of Gaochang. The city is home to numerous historical attractions, including the Emin Minaret, the largest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang, and the Jiaohe and Gaochang Ancient Cities, which showcase the long history of the region.
The unique geographical features of Turpan, such as the Aydingkol Lake, also contribute to its fame. The lake, located at the bottom of the Turpan Basin, is the lowest point in the country and the second-lowest depression in the world. Additionally, the Flaming Mountain, mentioned in the classical Chinese novel "The Journey to the West", is located in Turpan and is known for its extreme heat.
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The city has a long history, with traces of human settlement dating back 6,000 years
Turpan, also known as Turfan, is a city located in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China. It has a long and rich history, with traces of human settlement dating back 6,000 years. The city has played a significant role in the region's cultural and economic development over the centuries.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), Turpan was known as Gushi and served as the capital of the Cheshiqian Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms in Xi Yu. The Ancient City of Jiaohe, located in the western part of modern-day Turpan, was the royal city of the kingdom. The kingdom perished around 450 AD, and the region came under the influence of various dynasties, including the Northern Wei and the Tang Dynasty.
The city has a diverse cultural and religious history, with influences from Buddhism, Islam, and local Uyghur traditions. It was once a Buddhist centre along the Silk Road, with the famous monk Xuan Zang passing through and preaching in the Ancient City of Gaochang. The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the mural paintings within them are a testament to the region's Buddhist past. The Emin Minaret, the largest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang, also stands as a symbol of the region's Islamic heritage.
Turpan has been a hub for trade and commerce, especially along the Silk Road. The Tang dynasty's conquest of the region in 640 AD further solidified its role as a commercial centre, with extensive trade activities between the Sogdians and the Chinese. The city's location between different language and cultural groups, including Chinese, Turkic, Mongolian, and Persian speakers, has contributed to its diverse history and naming conventions.
The natural landscape of Turpan is also noteworthy. It is known for being the world's second-lowest place and one of the hottest places in China. The Aydingkol Lake, located at the bottom of the Turpan Basin, is the lowest point in the country. The region is praised as the 'Hometown of Grapes', with hundreds of varieties of grapes and other fruits thriving in the sunny climate.
Turpan's long history and cultural significance have made it a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into the ancient past and a chance to explore the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures.
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Turpan was once the Buddhist centre of the Silk Road
Turpan, a city in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, China, was once an important Buddhist centre along the Silk Road. The city has a long history, dating back to at least the 2nd century BCE when it was subdivided into two kingdoms between the Han dynasty and its enemy, the Xiongnu Empire. The city changed hands several times and had periods of independence until the fall of the Han dynasty in 220 CE.
Turpan's location along the Silk Road made it a melting pot of cultures and religions. Mahayana Buddhism entered Han China via the Silk Road, with the first documented translation efforts by Buddhist monks in the 2nd century CE. These contacts introduced Buddhism to Turpan, with many scriptures translated into Chinese and disseminated through the region. Excavations in Turpan have uncovered a wealth of Buddhist manuscripts, artefacts, and art, providing evidence of the strong presence of Han Buddhism in the region.
One notable Buddhist site in Turpan is the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves, located 50 kilometres east of the city. These caves served as a Buddhist centre from the 6th to the 13th centuries, with murals depicting Buddhist tales and influences from various regions, including western China and Central Asia. Another important Buddhist site is Shengjinkou, situated 40 kilometres north of Turpan. Shengjinkou features mud-brick caves that were part of a Buddhist temple from the 7th to the 14th centuries, with murals and scriptures bearing annotations in the Urgur language, as well as coins from the Tang Dynasty.
The ancient city of Jiaohe, located 10 kilometres west of modern Turpan, was also a significant Buddhist centre along the Silk Road. Once a thriving city, it is now a site filled with the ruins of temples, monasteries, and shrines, bearing testament to its Buddhist past.
While Buddhism flourished in Turpan for centuries, it eventually declined due to changing political and economic factors, as well as the spread of Islam in the region. However, the legacy of Buddhism in Turpan remains, with numerous archaeological sites and artefacts providing valuable insights into the rich cultural and religious history of this region along the Silk Road.
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Frequently asked questions
Turpan is an old city with a long history. Traces of human life in the region date back to 4000 BCE. During the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), Turpan was the capital of the Cheshiqian Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms in Xi Yu.
Turpan is known for its fruit, especially grapes, and is often referred to as the 'Hometown of Grapes'. It is also known for its sand therapy, which is said to be an effective treatment for rheumatism and skin ailments. The city is located in a mountain basin and is the second-lowest depression in the world, with most of its inhabitants living below sea level. It is also one of the hottest places in China.
Turpan was once the Buddhist centre of the Silk Road. The famous monk Xuan Zang of Tang passed through the city and preached at the Ancient City of Gaochang. The city has also been influenced by various cultures, including Chinese, Turkic, Mongolian, and Persian. The local religion, rites, and architecture are steeped in Uygur history and culture.
