Eastern Xinjiang

Eastern Xinjiang includes Turpan and Hami, with the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, the ancient cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang, karez wells, plus the Dahaidao yardangs and Barkol Grasslands near Hami.

Eastern Xinjiang is defined here by the common three-part division of Xinjiang, covering Turpan City and Hami City; Xinxing City of the 13th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps lies in Hami and is likewise included. Eastern Xinjiang is the gateway into Xinjiang from the Hexi Corridor and an important node on the ancient Silk Road. Highlights: the Turpan Basin is among the lowest-lying areas in China, scorching in summer, and is known for the Flaming Mountains, Grape Valley, karez wells and Uyghur villages; the ancient cities of Jiaohe and Gaochang are Silk Road ruins, Tuyugou Mazar Village retains earthen architecture and a Thousand Buddha Caves, and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are also nearby; the Kumtag Desert in Shanshan borders the town. Hami is famous for its Hami melons; you can visit the Hami Prince's Mansion and museum, and the Dahaidao yardang landforms are desolate and magnificent, ideal for off-roading and photography; the Barkol Grassland and Barkol Lake are beautiful in summer, the old town ruins show the Qing dynasty's frontier history, and the scenery of the Eastern Tianshan at the eastern end of the Tian Shan range is also worth enjoying. Classic itineraries: Turpan, 2–3 days, which can be a day trip from Urumqi or connected with northern and southern Xinjiang routes; Hami–Barkol–Dahaidao, 3–4 days, which suits linking up with a Hexi Corridor trip from the Dunhuang direction. Getting around: the Lanzhou–Xinjiang high-speed line runs through Hami, Turpan and Urumqi, and the ride from Turpan North Station to Urumqi is short; both Hami and Turpan have airports; between sights, chartered cars or self-drive are the norm. Practical notes: Turpan is extremely hot in midsummer, so avoid outdoor activities in the afternoon; uninhabited areas such as Dahaidao require a professional off-road vehicle and a guide, and you should register your trip in advance; Xinjiang runs about two hours behind inland China, so scenic areas open later.

Destinations

Itineraries