Chinese Specialty

In Journey to the West (one of the four Great Classic Chinese Novels), Tang Priest (Sanzang) was hindered by a mountain of flames on his way to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures. In fact, the impressive flaming mountain is not a fabricated thing but is derived from a region in the city of Turfan, center of the Turfan Basin. The flaming mountain is not actually burning with fire, it is composed by red sandstones which look like flames when shining in the hot sun and emitting heat. The flaming mountain sits in the hottest area in China, nevertheless, there are many forested valleys in the mountain holding a number of streams. This special kind of geography produces wonderful fruit like grapes and Hami melons, especially the seedless white grapes growing in the Grape Valley, which are perfectly fine!

Uygurs living in Turfan are very hospitable. You will encounter everywhere with men in square flowered hat and long rope and women in garment and dresses who say “Yaksimtse (hello)” to you. In southeast of Turfan, there stand the Sugong Pagoda and the public cemetery of Gaochang ancient city. The cemetery is an ideal place to store mummy because of the dry and natural sterile environment. While Qianfo Cave at the northeast is rich in both cultural and natural scenery.