Top 10 Best Things to Do in Turpan
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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Turpan

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Trip.Best is a collection of travel rankings that takes into account the travel choices and genuine preferences of hundres of millions of Trip.com users. It is updated monthly based on real data.
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  • Flaming Mountain Scenic Areatop_1
    󰺂7.3
    5.66
    Turpan26.8 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoFlaming Mountains' Millennial Wonder: A Real-Life "Ice and Fire" Experience with Snow Cover
    Highlights:
    󱓊Journey to the West experience
    󰀆Microlight flight over Flaming Mountains
    󱨠Saved by 158 users󱨠1450 positive reviews
    4.1/5
    Sem S.Sem S.

    The mountains are very beautiful and stretch out for a long day. Try to go during a sunny day for the best views. However, avoid the theme park like main entrance if this is not your thing. You can see the mountains from anywhere so just ask your driver to stop at photogenic spots next to the road. After paying 5 euros for the entrance at the site you are stuck with too many tourists, loud music and stupid tourist trap statues, camel rides and a lousy museum.

  • Grape Valleytop_2
    󰺂7.0
    Turpan7.5 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󱓊Food & dance at Uyghur homestays
    󱨜Flaming Mountain & Grape Valley contrast
    󱨠Saved by 100 users󱨠1492 positive reviews
    4.1/5
    风中有朵云彩风中有朵云彩

    Grape Valley is a 5A-level tourist attraction. The best time to visit is 7-9 month. Now is the grape harvest season, with grape cultural landscapes and festivals. I took advantage of the holiday, now there is a grape picking experience, I also finally saw the grape ditch in the textbook covered by green grape vines, strings of grapes hanging branches, like an oil painting, and the summer season grape rack is very cool.

  • Kumtag Deserttop_3
    󰺂7.0
    4.25
    Shanshan90.9 km from downtown
    trip best TravelHotspot logoNew Year's Eve Celebration in the Kumtag Desert: Fireworks Over the Sands | Jan 1, 2026-Jan 1, 2026
    trip best small logoNo. 2 of Family-friendly Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󱓊Desert off-road & sand sliding
    󱨜Experience ancient Uyghur sand therapy
    󱨠Saved by 167 users󱨠1298 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    W15022869509W15022869509

    Very fun Kumutag Desert, the landform is strange, the desert texture is good-looking, the good place to punch in and take pictures [scenery] unique [cost-effective] the most beautiful scenic spot [interest] desert off-road super exciting

  • Karez Folklore Garden
    4
    󰺂6.6
    5.66
    Turpan3.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 3 of Family-friendly Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󱓊Observe Karez System up close
    󱓊Traditional bazaar & coin exchange
    󱨠720 positive reviews
    4.2/5
    ThorMucThorMuc

    really interesting and you can learn a lot about the ancient irrigation system. the information provided in English was of very good quality and actually helpful. definitely recommended!

  • The Ancient City of Jiaohe
    5
    󰺂6.5
    9.92
    Turpan9.9 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 1 of Night Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󰋄Panoramic view of ancient ruins
    󱨜World Heritage Site & cultural significance
    󱨠Saved by 166 users󱨠871 positive reviews
    4.6/5
    琳大王特能吃琳大王特能吃

    A very spectacular group of ruins, a city that was "dug" out rather than built. It takes about 20 minutes to drive from Turpan City. It is recommended to invite a tour guide to have a deeper understanding of the history here.

  • Tuyugou
    6
    󰺂6.0
    4.26
    Shanshan43.1 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󱨜Explore the charm of yellow clay culture in Maza Village
    󱨜Tuyugou Thousand Buddha Caves Religious Culture Intersection
    󱨠71% positive reviews
    4.3/5
    M34***05M34***05

    The architectural style is indeed the same as the one on the way there. The main reason for buying a ticket to go in is to take pictures of the mosque-themed building. You can also go up to the roof. Otherwise, it's pretty much the same. The panoramic view seems to be accessible by car from the opposite mountain.

  • Turpan Karez Paradise
    7
    󰺂6.0
    5.66
    Turpan6.3 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 4 of Family-friendly Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󱓊Karez wellhead view & oasis
    󱓊Gobi oasis & sand dunes
    󱨠335 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    qdu***08qdu***08

    This scenic spot combines science and fun. It's not large, but the scenery is beautiful, especially the section from the museum down to the culvert. The whole area is full of exotic atmosphere. The grape corridor is full of various grapes, and the water at the outlet is icy cold, perfect for summer heat relief.

  • Jiaohe Post Scenic Area—Source of Karez
    8
    󰺂5.9
    5.66
    Turpan7.9 km from downtown
    trip best small logoNo. 5 of Family-friendly Attractions in Turpan
    Highlights:
    󱨜Explore a 570-year-old underground water conservancy project
    Take an elevator to explore the underground wonders of the Karez
    󱨠209 positive reviews
    4.4/5
    Anonymous userAnonymous user

    The Kanerjing source in Jiaoheyi is super interesting! You can see the source of the ancient underground water conservancy project with your own eyes. It's like an adventure to drill a tunnel. It's so cool in the summer that you don't want to come out! There are also post station ruins and grape trellises in the scenic area. It's just right to play for 1 hour. It's niche but worth checking in!

  • Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves
    9
    󰺂5.6
    5.66
    Turpan29 km from downtown
    Highlights:
    󰀆1400-year-old Silk Road caves
    󱓊Ancient Silk Road Buddhist art
    󱨠Saved by 101 users󱨠148 positive reviews
    4.2/5
    Sem S.Sem S.

    Interesting site with nice history and architecture. It wasn't too busy when we were there but I'm sure it gets crowded. Most caves aren't open for viewing. Some guards told me I couldn't take pictures(??).

Best things to do in Turpan (2025)

Looking for the ultimate experiences in Turpan? From iconic landmarks to hidden gems, Turpan offers an exceptional collection of activities and attractions that cater to every type of traveler.

Whether you’re here for sightseeing, adventure, or cultural exploration, these top-rated activities promise unforgettable memories.

Top-rated things to do in Turpan

If you want to make the most of your trip, these activities deliver the full Turpan experience. Expect popular attractions, unique local experiences, and must-see spots that capture the essence of the city.

Flaming Mountain Scenic Area

• Turpan | 26.8 km from downtown

• : Journey to the West experience,Microlight flight over Flaming Mountains

Grape Valley

• Turpan | 7.5 km from downtown

• : Food & dance at Uyghur homestays,Flaming Mountain & Grape Valley contrast

Kumtag Desert

• Shanshan | 90.9 km from downtown

• : Desert off-road & sand sliding,Experience ancient Uyghur sand therapy

Things to do for unique experiences

These activities provide memorable experiences beyond the ordinary. Enjoy cultural tours, adventure sports, guided excursions, and immersive local experiences designed for all interests.

Things to do near Turpan

If you want to explore attractions just outside Turpan, there are plenty of activities that combine scenic surroundings with convenient access to the city, perfect for day trips or short excursions.

Each of these activities offers a unique escape within 1–3 hours of Turpan, ideal for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with local experiences.

What makes things to do in Turpan special

• Iconic landmarks: Visit must-see sights that define the city.
• Local experiences: Engage in culture, crafts, and unique activities.
• Accessible adventures: Easily reachable attractions for all travelers.
• Diverse options: From relaxing experiences to adventurous outings.

Tips for booking things to do in Turpan

1. Plan ahead for popular attractions to avoid long queues.
2. Book early for guided tours or seasonal events.
3. Compare prices and packages on Trip.com for exclusive deals and bundled experiences.
4. Consider weekday visits for a quieter and more personalized experience.

Experience the best things to do in Turpan

Ready to explore the best of Turpan? Discover Trip.Best's curated list of things to do and experience adventure, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Book your perfect activities on Trip.com today, where excitement and discovery awaits.

What Best Things to Do are there in Turpan?
These are all Best Things to Do in Turpan:Flaming Mountain Scenic Area, Grape Valley, Kumtag Desert, Karez Folklore Garden, The Ancient City of Jiaohe
What are some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Turpan?
Some highly-rated Best Things to Do in Turpan include:Flaming Mountain Scenic Area:4.1, Grape Valley:4.1, Kumtag Desert:4.6, Karez Folklore Garden:4.2, The Ancient City of Jiaohe:4.6
At what locations in Turpan can Best Things to Do in Turpan be found?
The Best Things to Do in Turpan are mainly located in:Flaming Mountain Scenic Area:Turpan, Grape Valley:Turpan, Kumtag Desert:Shanshan, Karez Folklore Garden:Turpan, The Ancient City of Jiaohe:Turpan
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