Tuyoq Village, Turpan

After lunch following our visit to Mogao Caves, we made our way to the Liuyuan Railway Station to board a train bound for our next destination further west - Turpan in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The distance from Liuyuan to Turpan is approximately 635Km. By this stage of our journey,  we have covered an estimated 2,600Km to 2,800Km from our original starting point in Xian, depending on the specific routes or highways taken along the way.

The next morning on 30.05.2025 (Day 8), after breakfast, we checked out from Metropolo Jin Jiang Hotel in Turpan and boarded our bus to explore Tuyoq, an ancient oasis-village, located roughly 70 km east of Turpan City.

On the way, our new tour guide, Ahmed pointed out the vast vineyards stretching on both sides of the road. With a smile, he asked, "Isn't it surprising that Turpan which receives only 16mm of rainfall annually can produce such abundance of grapes and other fruits?". 

Turpan situated in the northeastern part of Taklamakan Desert, slumps to an elevation of 154m below sea level, one of the lowest places on earth that is not underwater. In the Taklamakan Desert, variation in seasonal mean temperature and differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures both can exceeds 35 degrees C.

He went on to explain that this agricultural miracle is made possible by the ancient Karez irrigation system, a remarkable feat of engineering that has sustained life in this arid region of Xinjinag for centuries.

The Karez Irrigation System (坎儿井) is an ancient underground water management system designed to bring water from distant mountain sources to the dry and arid Turpan Basin, including areas like Jiaohe. The Karez system dates back more than 2,000 years, likely developed during the Han Dynasty. Water from melting snow or underground springs in the nearby Tianshan Mountains is collected and guided through a network of gently sloping subterranean tunnels. These tunnels can stretch for several kilometers to bring water to fields, orchards, and towns. 

Along the tunnels, vertical shafts (like manholes) are dug every few meters. These serve to provide air ventilation, allow maintenance access, and help during the initial digging. By transporting water underground, the system minimizes water loss from the extreme desert heat and dry air - essential in Turpan, where summer temperatures can exceed 40°C. The system relies entirely on gravity, with no pumps required. The gentle slope allows water to flow naturally from the highlands to the lowlands.

At its peak, more than 1,100 karez were in operation across Turpan, totaling over 5,000 kilometers in length. It enabled the Turpan region - one of China’s driest places - to become an oasis rich in agriculture, especially grapes, melons, and fruits. 

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By the time we arrived at Tuyoq, it was already past 10:00 a.m. Tuyoq (吐峪沟) or Tuyuk - is an ancient oasis village nestled within a lush valley carved into the fiery slopes of the Flaming Mountains in Xinjiang. Tucked away from the main routes of the old Silk Road, it remains one of the region’s most authentic and best-preserved Uyghur settlements, with a history stretching back over 1,700 years.

As we stepped into Tuyoq, we were greeted by expansive vineyards and a maze of mud-brick homes - the distinctive brown-clay structures blending harmoniously with the valley’s earthy tones. The village, home to around 200 Uyghur families, still preserves its traditional way of life. Here, people continue to wear customary attire, speak the Uyghur language, and uphold folk customs and daily practices that seem frozen in time. Walking through Tuyoq felt like stepping into a living museum of the past.

Beyond the village lies the dramatic Tuyoq Grand Canyon, where steep, rugged cliffs frame a stunning natural landscape - perfect for photography and leisurely hikes. In the distance, perched on the southern hillside, we caught sight of the Hojamu Tomb (Mazar), a revered Islamic shrine said to hold the remains of the first Uyghur Muslim convert. According to local belief, visiting this sacred site seven times is considered equivalent to making a pilgrimage to Mecca!

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Restoration work in progress seen on part of the hill slope.

Old bathroom and toilet are still visible in many of the
abandoned houses.

Turpan lies in one of the world’s lowest and hottest depressions, where summer temperatures often soar above 47°C in the shade and can reach a scorching 70°C on exposed surfaces. The traditional mud-brick houses here are ingeniously designed to provide natural insulation, keeping interiors cool during the blistering summers and warm throughout the harsh winters.

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Tuyoq is renowned for producing a variety of high-quality fruits, attributed to its unique desert climate, abundant sunshine, and the life-sustaining Karez underground irrigation system.

Foremost among these is the Manaizi seedless white grape, famed for its sweetness and fine texture, and widely used to produce premium-grade raisins. As part of the greater Turpan region - China’s largest raisin-producing area - Tuyoq’s grapes play an important role in maintaining this reputation.

In addition to grapes, peaches thrive in the small orchards scattered around the village. These peaches are highly valued for their intense sweetness, a result of the dry air and long hours of sunshine that concentrate their natural sugars.

Pears, another local specialty, grow crisp and juicy in the fertile soils of this oasis, while apples - though not as widely cultivated as grapes - are also grown by some farmers for local consumption.

Hami melons (哈密瓜), famous across China for their exceptional sweetness and fragrant aroma, are cultivated in the broader Turpan area, including parts of Tuyoq. The extreme temperature differences between the scorching daytime heat and cooler nights help enhance their flavor.

Additionally, mulberries are occasionally grown along irrigation channels or on the fringes of vineyards. These are enjoyed both fresh and dried as a traditional local delicacy.

Together, these fruits reflect Tuyoq’s rich agricultural heritage - made possible by nature's harshness, human ingenuity, and an enduring relationship with water drawn from deep beneath the desert.

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To attract customers, one of the stalls offered slices of freshly cut mouth-watering watermelons to us for free. However, in the end, most of our group chose to make their purchases at a nearby, larger stall that provided a wider selection of dried fruits with better quality and more competitive prices.

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Immediately after visiting Tuyoq, I was reminded of another ancient underground city I explored at the end of last year - Matera in Italy, a city that once thrived under the Roman Empire.

Today, Matera has successfully reinvented itself by transforming its centuries-old cave dwellings into charming boutique hotels and B&B accommodations, attracting both tourists and locals alike (Read here).

It made me wonder - could Tuyoq follow a similar path? With its unique cave-like homes and rich cultural heritage, perhaps this ancient village, too, could be revitalized by offering visitors an immersive stay experience while preserving its historical charm.