Drive Around Turpan
When it comes to traveling the Silk Road in China, there are three “must-see” cities: Kashgar, Dunhuang and Turpan.
Turpan with it’s 150m elevation below see level is the second hottest place in the world with temperatures above 40 Celsius, sometimes 50 (!) in the summer months.
Despite the heat, the fertile soil and the underground water made this place a special oasis in the desert and people have been inhabiting the basin for more than 2.000 years offering a massive concentration of significant sites.
Flaming Mountains; the red, barren sandstone hills that can be seen from the road as you drive eastward from Turpan , Xinjiang Province, China
How to get to Turpan, Xinjiang Province
By train
The Turpan Railway Station is actually 50 km to the Turpan. From the railway station to Turpan you can take a taxi, the taxi set out with four people, generally 15 Yuan a person.
There are hourly high speed trains from Urumqi - 1 hour ride, costs from 50 yuan
By car
Alternatively you can rent a car either in Urumqi or in Kashgar.