Turpan
Turpan
- Turpan is a unique city. It is located in the Turpan Basin at the depth of 154 m below sea level. From all sides the city is surrounded by deserts and mountains, destroyed medieval towns and ruins of ancient settlements. The area, the city is situated on, is called the Valley of Winds: the pressure inside the cavity differs much from the pressure outside it, while a rapid movement of air flow generates a strong vortex. This makes a trip through the valley somewhat uncomfortable, though, the local community learned how to adapt to it long ago.
- The locals named Turpan as “Fire Land”, because it is the hottest city in China and one of the driest places in the world. In summer the temperature reaches 50°C in the shade, so many excursions to the city’s landmarks and the surrounding area should begin at dawn.
- The city owes its prosperity to the ancient kyariz (qanat) irrigation system that the Uyghurs adopted from the ancient Persians. Every year, the melted water from the slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains, flowing down the Turpan valley, is stored by means of a system of underground irrigation canals with a total length of about 5 kilometers, preventing it from evaporation at high temperatures. It should be noted that the Turpan oasis irrigation system ranges among such feats of Chinese engineering art as the Great Wall of China and the Grand Canal.
- Despite its climate, Turpan is one of the most densely populated cities in Xinjiang. It is home to about 250,000 people. The major part of the population (70%) is the Muslim Uyghurs.
