Grape Valley Scenic Spot

Grape Valley is 7 kilometers in length and about 2 kilometers wide at its broadest point. It is a valley scenic area located in Gaochang District, Turpan City, Xinjiang, named after its abundant grape production. In Grape Valley, you can not only experience the magical landscape of nature and taste the sweetest grapes in the world, but also enjoy the passionate dances of Uyghur young men, the thrilling Dawaizi (high-wire walking) performance, and the lively and festive Grape Festival.

Highlights of Grape Valley Scenic Spot

Grapes

Grapes

Grape Valley has 52 varieties of grapes of various colors and shapes, including the most famous seedless white grapes, huge mare's milk grapes, and medicinal Suosuo grapes, as well as red grapes, Kashgar grapes, black grapes, and imported grapes such as Ebner, seedless purple, seedless red, and Muscat. These various grapes are scattered in the farmhouses in the valley, forming a magnificent green grape corridor. The most noteworthy thing is that these grapes are all high-quality pollution-free products planted by local farmers. They continue the traditional, green, and environmentally friendly practice of using farm manure, and the grapes they plant are of superior quality.

There are not only many grapes in Grape Valley, but also many apricot trees, mulberry trees, and walnut trees, some of which are thousands of years old. Every time mulberries and apricots are ripe, residents of surrounding cities such as Urumqi flock here. It is said that sweet mulberries also have the property of healing and are superior food therapy for treating insomnia. There are white mulberries, black mulberries, and purple mulberries here. Scarcity makes things valuable. Since black mulberries are relatively rare, they are the most popular.

Grape Corridor

Tips: The best time to visit Grape Valley is from July to September, when the grapes are ripe and visitors can enjoy picking and tasting them. As the temperature in Turpan is extremely high in summer (up to 40°C), it is recommended to visit in the morning or evening to avoid the high temperature at noon. The climate is more comfortable in spring and autumn, but the grape yield is less.

Grape Valley Amusement Park

There is a waterfall that flows all year round, which is honored by the local people as the "Thousand Eyes Lake". Legend has it that a couple stepped forward to eradicate a dragon that ate children. Unfortunately, the young man died from his injuries. The girl was heartbroken and wept tears that merged into the "Thousand Eyes Lake," nourishing Grape Valley and benefiting its people.

In the amusement park, there is also a pair of 200-year-old "husband and wife trees." The roots of these two old mulberry trees are tightly intertwined. They bear abundant fruit every year, and their thick shade blocks the scorching sun. Uyghur people explain that the couple trees symbolize the happy life of local Uyghur families.

Dawaizi Folk Customs Park

Dawaizi Folk Customs Park

"Dawazi" is the traditional high-altitude tightrope walking art of the Uyghur people. Dawaizi high-altitude performance is a form of acrobatic art performance that has been passed down for thousands of years among the Uyghur people. In Grape Valley Dawaizi Park, you can enjoy the thrilling Dawaizi performance for free, and also experience Uyghur cuisine and handicrafts.

There is an ancient tree over 600 years old in the Dawaizi Folk Customs Park. Because there are holes in front and back, spirit snakes are said to appear every July and August, so the local people call these two holes "Spirit Snake Cave". There is a saying among the residents of Grape Valley that whoever encounters a horned snake (a bit like the dragon in Han culture) will be happy and lucky for life. Therefore, local people often come here to pray in July and August, hoping to have good luck.

There is also the world's largest naan pit here, which is 8 meters high and 10 meters in diameter, and can accommodate hundreds of people at once. During the annual Grape Festival (usually held from late August to early September to celebrate the arrival of the grape harvest season), the big naan pit hosts a barbecue dinner to celebrate.

Educational Value

Karez is the core water conservancy project in Grape Valley and even the Turpan region. It consists of vertical shafts, underground canals, open channels, and water reservoirs. By diverting water through underground canals, it reduces evaporation loss and transports meltwater from the Tianshan Mountains to the oasis. This engineering reflects the scientific utilization of water resources by ancient humans. You can learn about the structure, principles, and functions of Karez through explanations by professional personnel.

Activities to do at Grape Valley Scenic Spot

Pottery Making: The scenic area has set up a folk customs experience zone where visitors can try their hand at pottery making, learn traditional pottery craftsmanship, and personally mold various pottery items such as clay pots and bowls, experiencing the charm of pottery art.

Raisin Production Study Tour: Here, you can participate in ancient-style raisin-making study activities to understand traditional raisin-production techniques, including grape selection, drying methods, and time control.

Karez Cultural Study Tour: The Turpan region where Grape Valley is located boasts the unique Karez water conservancy project. You can visit the Karez to understand its structure, principles, and functions, and learn about the wisdom of ancient laborers in utilizing water resources in arid regions.