China > Death Valley of China

When I wake up, it’s already past eight. I slept very well on the train. I climb out of bed and wash at the small fountain. I open a pack of noodle soup and add hot water—an excellent breakfast. The expected arrival time in Turpan is 12:37. As the arrival time approaches, I gather my luggage and get ready. The train isn’t ready yet. Its speed gradually decreases. With a view of Turpan ahead, the train stops. It takes a long time before we start moving again. Ultimately, I arrive at Turpan station an hour late. With this delay, the journey matches the 23 hours described in the itinerary. Outside the station, the bus driver is already waiting for me.

China - The Emin Mosque built in 1777 in Afghan style

In about an hour, we reach the Turpan hotel in the city center. On the way, we really drive through the desert. I pass enormous trucks, which I estimate to be over thirty meters long. One car carrier transports no fewer than twenty cars—six on the lower level and two rows of seven above. It’s impressive that something so massive can be driven. Turpan is the lowest-lying place in China, at 150 meters below sea level. Floods aren’t a concern here; the nearest sea is 2,500 kilometers away. However, because of its low elevation, Turpan is the hottest place in all of China. In summer, temperatures exceed forty degrees Celsius—the Death Valley of China. From the bus, I mostly see a barren, sandy plain. Only near the center of Turpan does it become a little greener. Thanks to water from the mountains, there is relatively abundant vegetation. It feels like an oasis, making it an ideal place for people to live. Around 70,000 people reside in this unique location. At the hotel, I take a refreshing shower and then settle in the garden. Here too, there is a John’s Café. In the shade of the grapevines, I order a beer. It’s simply too hot to do anything else. At the end of the afternoon, I visit the Turpan Museum. It’s still 38 degrees. I mostly walk in the shade of the trees. In the museum, I see information about excavations in this desert—a good preparation for tomorrow.