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Shanshan County
As one of the well-known mysterious tour destinations along the silk road, it is the best place where you can taste the juicy fruits, visit the historic site and experience the authentic Uighur culture.
Introduction of Shanshan county:
Shanshan County is located in the eastern part of Turpan Basin. It is the real hometown of Thompson seedless and Hami melon, and the largest production base of seedless and fresh grapes in China. Shanshan county is the second largest surging land resource area in China, the world's top ten coal mine resources, and the second largest sodium nitrate resource area, plus the main battlefield of China's Tuha Oilfield.
What to visit in Shanshan county?
Shanshan County has been an important transportation route between the East and the West since ancient times. Its strategic position is very important, there are many cultural relics and historical sites in various periods from Neolithic to modern times are well preserved, Among them, Thousand Buddha Caves and Mazar in Tuyoq village are the convergence centre of Buddhism and Islam.
Tuyoq Grand Canyon:
Tuyoq Grand Canyon folk culture tourism area is known as Ding Gu. The scenic spot is famous for its dangers, wonders and secluded scenery. It is mainly composed of four parts: Canyon scenery, thousand Buddha cave, Mazaar, and ancient villages.
Tuyoq Grand Canyon is one of the mysterious places in the northwest of China, and it is the intersection of many famous religions, history, and culture in the world. Among them, more than 40 caves plus 10 murals are well-preserved, and they are considered to be the earliest caves in Turpan, first excavated in the Wei, Jin, and Southern & Northern Dynasties. The latest one was unearthed in the Tang Dynasty, most of them are square in shape and have a central pillar. Although most of the murals have been damaged, however, they are valuable Buddhist cultural materials in Turpan and the western region.
Tuyoq Valley is the largest Islamic sanctuary in China, namely "Mecca of China". According to local Muslims, before going to Mekka, they must go to Tuyoq Mazar first. According to Von Le Coq, until the early 20th century, there were still Muslims from Turkey and India pilgrimaging every year.
The Flaming Mountain:
The Flaming Mountain Scenic Area is located on the east side of Lianhuo ( Lianyungang to Huocheng) Expressway in Turpan, and it is about 30 kilometres away from the urban area. The Scenic Spot is mainly composed of red-brown sandstone landform. Historically, it is the seat of the ancient Gaochang State. In legend, it is the place where Monk Tang and his apprentices used a palm-leaf fan to fan out the flames in the novel of Journey to the West.
Kumutage Desert:
Kumtage Desert is located in the east of Turpan Basin, it is the closest desert in the world to the city. In Uighur language, Kumutage Desert means "sand mountain", it is a mobile desert with many sand nests, sandy mountains, and other spectacular scenery, which is quite worth to visit.
When is the best time to visit?
Every March to September are the best time to travel to Shanshan county, among them, from June to July is the hottest time in Turpan, the temperature will be above 40 degrees.
By the way, the Grape Festival in Turpan will be held in August, at that time, tourists can taste the grapes and enjoy the variety of traditional Uighur activities and performances, such as Dawazi performance, Mukam folk songs and dances and so on.
In September, the weather is moderately cool, during that time, the pleasant smell of fruit is spreading everywhere, and that is quite worth to visit.
Travel tips:
1.Turpan is located in the basin, but tourists are still suggested to prepare sunhats, sunglasses plus moisturisers.
2.Tourists have to respect the life and beliefs of the local minorities.
3.There are many people in the scenic area, so tourists have to keep their valuables.
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Kumutage Desert 
The Flaming Mountain
The Aydingkol Lake 
Tuyoq Village
Recommended Xinjiang Tours
Dunhuang-Turpan-Heavenly Lake Tour 
Silk Road Travel to Qinghai-Gansu and Xinjiang
Silk Road Bullet Train Tour 8 Days 
Silk Road Buddhism Culture Exploration
Introduction of Shanshan county:
Shanshan County is located in the eastern part of Turpan Basin. It is the real hometown of Thompson seedless and Hami melon, and the largest production base of seedless and fresh grapes in China. Shanshan county is the second largest surging land resource area in China, the world's top ten coal mine resources, and the second largest sodium nitrate resource area, plus the main battlefield of China's Tuha Oilfield.
What to visit in Shanshan county?
Shanshan County has been an important transportation route between the East and the West since ancient times. Its strategic position is very important, there are many cultural relics and historical sites in various periods from Neolithic to modern times are well preserved, Among them, Thousand Buddha Caves and Mazar in Tuyoq village are the convergence centre of Buddhism and Islam.
Tuyoq Grand Canyon:
Tuyoq Grand Canyon folk culture tourism area is known as Ding Gu. The scenic spot is famous for its dangers, wonders and secluded scenery. It is mainly composed of four parts: Canyon scenery, thousand Buddha cave, Mazaar, and ancient villages.
Tuyoq Grand Canyon is one of the mysterious places in the northwest of China, and it is the intersection of many famous religions, history, and culture in the world. Among them, more than 40 caves plus 10 murals are well-preserved, and they are considered to be the earliest caves in Turpan, first excavated in the Wei, Jin, and Southern & Northern Dynasties. The latest one was unearthed in the Tang Dynasty, most of them are square in shape and have a central pillar. Although most of the murals have been damaged, however, they are valuable Buddhist cultural materials in Turpan and the western region.
Tuyoq Valley is the largest Islamic sanctuary in China, namely "Mecca of China". According to local Muslims, before going to Mekka, they must go to Tuyoq Mazar first. According to Von Le Coq, until the early 20th century, there were still Muslims from Turkey and India pilgrimaging every year.
The Flaming Mountain:
The Flaming Mountain Scenic Area is located on the east side of Lianhuo ( Lianyungang to Huocheng) Expressway in Turpan, and it is about 30 kilometres away from the urban area. The Scenic Spot is mainly composed of red-brown sandstone landform. Historically, it is the seat of the ancient Gaochang State. In legend, it is the place where Monk Tang and his apprentices used a palm-leaf fan to fan out the flames in the novel of Journey to the West.
Kumutage Desert:
Kumtage Desert is located in the east of Turpan Basin, it is the closest desert in the world to the city. In Uighur language, Kumutage Desert means "sand mountain", it is a mobile desert with many sand nests, sandy mountains, and other spectacular scenery, which is quite worth to visit.
When is the best time to visit?
Every March to September are the best time to travel to Shanshan county, among them, from June to July is the hottest time in Turpan, the temperature will be above 40 degrees.
By the way, the Grape Festival in Turpan will be held in August, at that time, tourists can taste the grapes and enjoy the variety of traditional Uighur activities and performances, such as Dawazi performance, Mukam folk songs and dances and so on.
In September, the weather is moderately cool, during that time, the pleasant smell of fruit is spreading everywhere, and that is quite worth to visit.
Travel tips:
1.Turpan is located in the basin, but tourists are still suggested to prepare sunhats, sunglasses plus moisturisers.
2.Tourists have to respect the life and beliefs of the local minorities.
3.There are many people in the scenic area, so tourists have to keep their valuables.
Related Articles & Posts
Kumutage Desert The Flaming Mountain The Aydingkol Lake Tuyoq Village Recommended Xinjiang Tours
Dunhuang-Turpan-Heavenly Lake Tour Silk Road Travel to Qinghai-Gansu and Xinjiang Silk Road Bullet Train Tour 8 Days Silk Road Buddhism Culture Exploration 
