Major city · China
Turpan吐鲁番
Give Turpan 2 nights: one full day for Jiaohe and Gaochang ruins, one for the Flaming Mountain caves and Grape Valley. Skip it in July–August.
Turpan sits in a depression 154 m below sea level, the lowest point in China, on the northern Silk Road between Urumqi and Kashgar. It is dry, extremely hot in summer, and its sights — ruined Silk Road cities, Buddhist cave murals, an 18th-century minaret and grape country — are spread 10–46 km from the centre, so you need a driver or a lot of patience with buses. Two nights covers the core; the city itself is small and mostly Uyghur.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (well over 40°C (104°F)), Jan–Feb (hostels and some sights close)avoid Jul–Aug (well over 104°F (40°C)), Jan–Feb (hostels and some sights close)
- Airport
- TLQ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Turpan110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Turpan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyTurpan is calm and low-crime; the real risks are summer heat, long unshaded walks at the ruins…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckTLQ Turpan Jiaohe Airport (Northwest of the city, taxi only; direct flights to Urumqi, Hami and Shanghai (check current schedule)).
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1) and Amap is the practical way to read routes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealLaghman (noodle soup)¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)
- BeerBeer (Wusu) in a restaurant / shop¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3)¥4–6 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the city centre¥7–15 (≈ US$1–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥35 (≈ US$5)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥250 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥450 (≈ US$65)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥250 (≈ US$35) · Mid CN¥500 (≈ US$70) · High CN¥1,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- TLQ Turpan Jiaohe Airport (Northwest of the city, taxi only; direct flights to Urumqi, Hami and Shanghai (check current schedule))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Turpan: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
2 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
1 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
1 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Jul
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
1 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost ¥1 and Amap is the practical way to read routes. Taxis start at ¥7 (2025) and cover the centre for that; a full-day taxi tour of the outlying sights was around ¥450 in April 2025. Bus 102 runs the length of Laocheng Road, east to the Emin Minaret and west past the mosques. For Jiaohe, Gaochang, Tuyoq and Bezeklik, hire a car and driver or negotiate a day rate.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
High-speed train from Turpan North, about 1 h
Xinjiang's capital and main air hub; easy half-day or connection.
Hami
overnightDoor to door: 3–7 h
High-speed train east, or bus about 6–7 h
Melon country on the road east; the train is the only sane option.
Door to door: 11–17 h
Train, about 11–17 h
Too far for a day; sleep on the train or fly.
Door to door: 5–6 h
Train via Liuyuan, about 3–4 h on the bullet train plus a transfer
The next Silk Road stop east; plan a night there, not a return trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre around Laocheng Road and Qingnian Road
Walkable to the bazaar, night market and bus station; most hotels and both hostels are here.
Turpan North railway station area
10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of town; convenient only for an early high-speed departure, otherwise a taxi ride from everything.6.2 mi (10 km) northwest of town; convenient only for an early high-speed departure, otherwise a taxi ride from everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥400–700 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × CN¥250 | CN¥500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥500 | CN¥2,000 |
| Full-day taxi around the outlying sights1 × CN¥450 · April 2025 rate; check | CN¥450 |
| City bus ride2 × CN¥1 | CN¥2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥150 | CN¥300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥325 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥894 per person per day, bed included | CN¥3,577≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance trains and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Laghman (noodle soup) | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Lamb skewers | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) each |
| Beer (Wusu) in a restaurant / shop | ¥8–15 (≈ US$2–3) / ¥4–6 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi across the city centre | ¥7–15 (≈ US$1–3) |
| Sight tickets (Jiaohe ¥70, Grape Valley ¥60, Emin Minaret ¥45, Gaochang ¥20, Tuyoq ¥15, Ayding Lake ¥30)2025 prices; check | ¥15–70 (≈ US$3–10) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥100–200 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is dangerous: over 40°C (104°F) in July–August, so start sights at opening and carry water.Summer heat is dangerous: over 104°F (40°C) in July–August, so start sights at opening and carry water.
- Ignore young men offering to guide you with "uncles" and "friends" for petrol money; it is a set-up.
- Some sights are 40–46 km (25–29 mi) out with no useful public transport; agree the taxi price and waiting time before you leave.Some sights are 25–29 mi (40–46 km) out with no useful public transport; agree the taxi price and waiting time before you leave.
- Turpan Dap Youth Hostel closes in winter (open late Feb to Dec).
- Tuyoq village was being rebuilt for mass tourism as of April 2025; check before making it the point of the trip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Turpan吐鲁番
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
مۇشۇ ئادرېسقا / 到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
No embassies in Turpan; most countries keep embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Urumqi or Shanghai. US citizens: US Embassy Beijing (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi Turpan North station → city centre: about ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7), 20–25 min (check)
- Taxi city centre → Jiaohe ruins: about ¥20 (≈ US$3), 20 min (2025)
- Bus 102 city centre → Emin Minaret: ¥1 (≈ under US$1), about 30 min
Say or show
- ياخشىمۇسىز / 你好 — Hello (yahshimusiz / nǐ hǎo)
- رەھمەت / 谢谢 — Thank you (rehmet / xièxie)
- قانچە پۇل؟ / 多少钱？ — How much is it? (qanche pul? / duōshao qián)
- بەك قىممەت / 太贵了 — Too expensive (bek qimmet / tài guì le)
- ھاجەتخانا قەيەردە؟ / 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (hajetxana qeyerde? / cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ)
- لا زا، رەھمەت / 不要辣 — No chilli, please (la za, rehmet / bú yào là)
Xinjiang runs an unofficial local time 2 h behind Beijing time; ask which one a timetable means.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Turpan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (well over 40°C), Jan–Feb (hostels and some sights close) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport and Turpan North station to bed: last trains, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Walking cluster around Laocheng Road with the bazaar, night market and Emin Minaret bus stop.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and ticket prices for Jiaohe, Gaochang, Bezeklik and Grape Valley.
- Heat and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.