Attraction of Turpan Grape Valley

Turpan Grape Valley ( Putao gou ) : is situated in a canyon, west side of Fire Mountain and 15 km northeast of the seat of Turpan County. It is 8 km long and 500 m wide. On either side of the valley are thick trees and mulberry trees, apricot trees, peach trees, pear trees, poplar trees, willow trees, elm trees and locust trees are arranged in order. Waters from springs flow into channels irrigating 210-odd hectare grape garden. Here a modern grape wine plant has been established producing various kinds of grape wine and grape cans.

Escaping from the fiery Flaming Mountain, you may take a seat under the vintage frames, savor various grapes, enjoy the beautiful Uigar girls in their ornate costumes, and be fully intoxicated by this refreshing palace of grapes!

Taking a walk along the grape corridor, you will find drying rooms on nearby slopes. Every year over 300 tons of raisins are made here.

Eight kilometers long, half a kilometer wide and inhabited by about 6,000 people of the Uygur, Hui and Han nationalities, the Grape Valley has more than 400 hectares of cultivated land, 220 hectares of which is grape-growing area. Grapes growing in the valley are of several strains, including the seedless white, rose-pink, mare-teat, black, Kashihar, Bijiagan and Suosuo. There is a fruit winery producing several kinds of wines and canned grapes.?

The Valley itself consists of a trail of thick vines and trellises surrounded by stark desert. There is a winery here and some well ventilated brick buildings for hanging grapes. Two types of wine are produced in the area: a rich dark red port-like drink, and a lighter more fruity white wine. Both wine and raisins are exported in large quantities from Turpan. There is a grape festival here in August with singing, dancing and eating! DO NOT however, eat the grapes on the vines either here in the valley or in the city itself. A fine of RMB15 is made against any grape thieves who are caught!

Backed by the mountains and lying alongside the river, Grape Valley is a pretty little spot to stop for a rest and something to eat and drink. Inside the complex, there are dining halls serving Uigur food and ethnic handicrafts.