Day 9
Tuesday,
April 23
TURFAN Arrive
very early this morning in Turfan located on the brink of the Turfan Depression
(at 505 feet below sea level, Asia's
lowest spot and the second lowest place in the world). Known as the "Land
of Fire" (no, it will not be
cool during your stay), Turfan lies
on the northern border of the fierce Taklamakan Desert,
just south of the Tian Shan, or Celestial Mountains. The oasis collects water
from these high peaks through an intricate and ancient system of underground karez, or channels,
which you’ll learn more about during your visit.
Blessed by geography and engineering genius, Turfan is a delightfully verdant spot whose grapes, melons,
and cotton are famed throughout China. After some time to rest from your
journey, you’ll visit neighboring
Tuyog, a small village which has
become something of a pilgrimage site for Muslims as it honors the tomb of the
first Uighur Muslim. After time to walk through the village and perhaps meet with
locals, continue by road out of the oasis,
past some theatrical hills known as the Flaming Mountains,
and visit the Bezeklik Caves, one
which offered some of the best remnants of Buddhist art in Xinjiang. Many of
the original wall paintings were carted off by the German archaeological
explorer Albert von le Coq in the first decade of the 20th century, some to be destroyed during Allied bombing of
Berlin in World War II.
This evening you’ll visit Turfan’s old town
with its dusty, tree lined streets
as well as the pretty Emin mosque.
Tuha Petroleum Hotel (B, L)
No comments:
Post a Comment