Stand at the foot of the Emin Minaret in the late afternoon and the brickwork shifts from sand to amber as the sun drops. Turpan is an oasis city on the old Silk Road, and much of what you came to see sits in the desert outside it: ruined cities, cave temples and a valley of grapes.
This guide suits travellers who are happy to arrange transport for a day or two and who care more about standing in a place than about being entertained by it. Several of the sites are far from the centre, so plan on taxis or a hired vehicle.
What follows covers the sights worth your time, ordered from the strongest, then a single-day plan that links them.
Top things to do in Turpan
1. Yarghol Ancient City
Also called Jiaohe Ruins, this is the remains of an ancient Silk Road town about 10 km west of Turpan. The city was established during the Western Han Dynasty and continued through the period of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and the ruins stand as a compact, walkable grid of earthen walls and streets.
It is the closest major site to the city, which makes it the natural first stop. A taxi from the city centre costs around ¥20; if you take the bus, get off bus 102 at the last stop and either walk the next 5 km or hire a vehicle there for around ¥10 to cover the rest of the way. Entry is ¥70.
2. Emin Minaret
Built in 1777 in honour of the Turpan general Emin Khoja, this is the tallest minaret in China. It is also known as Sugong Ta. Entry is ¥45.
Because it stands in the city itself, it fits easily into a morning or an evening and pairs well with anything else you are doing in town.
3. Grape Valley
About 10 km from the city, this is an oasis of greenery made up of more than 200 hectares of grape, nicknamed Green Pearl City. The best grapes in China have been grown here for more than 1,000 years. Entry is ¥60.
It is a gentler half-day than the desert ruins and works well combined with Yarghol Ancient City, since both lie west of the centre.
4. Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
These caves stand high on the cliffs of west Mutou Valley under the Flaming Mountain, 45 km east of Turpan. Of the 83 original caves, 57 remain, and the murals cover an area of over 1,200 square metres in more than 40 caves. Construction began in the Southern and Northern Dynasties and continued through the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song and Yuan dynasties, and the caves were the Buddhist centre of Gaochang.
Much was lost: many caves were destroyed in later religious clashes, vandals dug out the eyes of many of the human figures in the murals, and foreign explorers removed many treasures at the beginning of the 20th century. What survives, including the delicate Buddha seat and the bright colour of the murals, still gives a sense of the site's past glory. It is far east of the city, so treat it as a full excursion rather than a stop-off.
5. Turpan Idikut Ancient City
Also written as Gaochang Ancient City, this is a ruined Silk Road town standing isolated in the Gobi Desert, 46 km southeast of the city. Built in the 1st century BC and called Gaochangbi, it began as a garrison town. It is open 8AM–5PM and entry is ¥20.
You can reach it by taxi, or first by bus to Doushan or Sanbao Township and then by motorbike. The 8AM opening and the distance make it a good early start.
6. Tuyoq Valley
About 40 km east of the city and reachable by taxi, this is a Uyghur village at the base of dramatic sandstone hills. Entry is ¥15.
Be aware that as of April 2025 the village was in the process of being rebuilt for mass tourism, in the same vein as Kashgar's new Old Town, so what you find may differ from older descriptions. It sits in the same eastern direction as Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the Turpan Idikut Ancient City, so it can be strung together with them.
7. Ayding Lake
A few kilometres south of Turpan, this marks the lowest point of China at 154 metres below sea level. The salt lake is completely dry, and a globe monument marks the point. Entry is ¥30 per person, plus ¥10 if you drive in.
You can rent bicycles for ¥20 to cycle the 3 km from the entrance to the globe. There is not a whole lot to see, so go for the marker and the sense of the basin rather than for spectacle.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early for Turpan Idikut Ancient City, which opens at 8AM and lies 46 km southeast of the city. On the way back west, stop at Tuyoq Valley to see the village under the sandstone hills.
Afternoon: Head west for Yarghol Ancient City, the ruined Silk Road town established in the Western Han Dynasty, then continue to Grape Valley for the vineyards and a slower hour among the greenery.
Evening: Return to the city for the Emin Minaret, built in 1777 and the tallest minaret in China. If you still have daylight and energy, Ayding Lake lies a few kilometres south and its globe monument marks the lowest point of China.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the sites outside Turpan?
Yarghol Ancient City is about 10 km west of the city and costs around ¥20 by taxi from the centre; by bus, get off bus 102 at the last stop and walk the next 5 km or hire a vehicle for around ¥10. Tuyoq Valley, 40 km east, is reachable by taxi. Turpan Idikut Ancient City, 46 km southeast, can be reached by taxi or by bus to Doushan or Sanbao Township and then by motorbike.
Which sites charge an entrance fee?
Grape Valley is ¥60, the Emin Minaret ¥45, Yarghol Ancient City ¥70, Turpan Idikut Ancient City ¥20, Tuyoq Valley ¥15, and Ayding Lake ¥30 per person plus ¥10 if you drive in.
What should I know before visiting Tuyoq Valley?
As of April 2025 the village was being rebuilt for mass tourism, in the same vein as Kashgar's new Old Town, so expect a site in transition.
Is Ayding Lake worth the trip?
It is the lowest point of China at 154 metres below sea level and has a globe monument marking the spot, but the salt lake is completely dry and there is not a whole lot to see. Bicycles can be rented for ¥20 to cover the 3 km from the entrance to the globe.
Work out which of these fit your days, sort out a vehicle for the eastern sites, and you can start planning your time in Turpan.