Planning a Trip
Getting There -- As yet, talk of an airport at Turpan remains just that, and the nearest airport is at Urumqi.
The railway station is located 54km (33 miles) north of Turpan in drab town of Daheyan. Minibuses connect with Turpan's long-distance bus station for ¥7.50 ($1/50p). The Turpan long-distance bus station in Daheyan is reached by heading up the hill in front of the station, taking the first right turn, and continuing along the road for about 180m (600 ft.). The bus station is on your left. Some buses wait at the station, along with individual taxis that charge ¥10 ($1.30/65p), as long as they are able to fill a car with three or more passengers. The way back to the railway station is a bit more arduous; bus schedules seem erratic, and you'll have to fight through the crowds to buy your ticket at the counter. It's best to take a taxi to the railway station for ¥60 ($7.80/£3.90).
To connect with Kashgar, the best choice is the N887 at 2:10pm; the trip takes 21 hours. Except in peak season, sleeper tickets are readily purchased in Daheyan. Those heading to Urumqi are better served by bus. Heading east, sleeper tickets are tighter; your chances are best on the 1046 to Zhengzhou (41 hr.) at 11:50pm and the 1044 to Xi'an (40 hr.) at 1:47am. Otherwise, proceed through CITS which charges a commission of ¥40 ($5.20/£2.60) or John's Information Cafe, which charges ¥50 ($6.50/£3.25).
The bus station is at Lao Cheng Lu 27 (tel. 0995/852-2325), about 90m (300 ft.) west of the central roundabout. Buses for Urumqi (187km/116 miles; 2 1/2 hr.; ¥40/$5.20/£2.60; taxi [Santana] ¥65/$8.25/£4.10 per person) leave every 20 minutes from 7:30am to 8pm. There are daily buses for Kuqa (638km/396 miles; 8 hr.; ¥120/$16/£8) and a sleeper bus for Kashgar (1,385km/859 miles; 24 hr.; ¥210/$27/£14 upper berth, ¥200/$26/£13 lower berth). Both depart at 1pm.
Getting Around -- Turpan is a small town, and nearly everything is within walking distance of the center, marked by the intersection of Lao Cheng Lu and Gaochang Lu. Taxis within the city cost ¥5 (65¢/30p). Most sights are outside town and require a taxi, minibus, or bike, which can be hired from John's Information Cafe. Your presence is noted by local drivers when you arrive. They will politely but insistently offer tours of the eight sights (bage difang). Decline.
Tours -- CITS (tel. 0995/818-2318; turpancits@sina.com; open 8am-9pm) is located to the left-of-front gate of the Oasis Hotel (on the opposite side from Qingnian Lu).
Planning a Trip
Getting There -- As yet, talk of an airport at Turpan remains just that, and the nearest airport is at Urumqi.
The railway station is located 54km (33 miles) north of Turpan in drab town of Daheyan. Minibuses connect with Turpan's long-distance bus station for ¥7.50 ($1/50p). The Turpan long-distance bus station in Daheyan is reached by heading up the hill in front of the station, taking the first right turn, and continuing along the road for about 180m (600 ft.). The bus station is on your left. Some buses wait at the station, along with individual taxis that charge ¥10 ($1.30/65p), as long as they are able to fill a car with three or more passengers. The way back to the railway station is a bit more arduous; bus schedules seem erratic, and you'll have to fight through the crowds to buy your ticket at the counter. It's best to take a taxi to the railway station for ¥60 ($7.80/£3.90).
To connect with Kashgar, the best choice is the N887 at 2:10pm; the trip takes 21 hours. Except in peak season, sleeper tickets are readily purchased in Daheyan. Those heading to Urumqi are better served by bus. Heading east, sleeper tickets are tighter; your chances are best on the 1046 to Zhengzhou (41 hr.) at 11:50pm and the 1044 to Xi'an (40 hr.) at 1:47am. Otherwise, proceed through CITS which charges a commission of ¥40 ($5.20/£2.60) or John's Information Cafe, which charges ¥50 ($6.50/£3.25).
The bus station is at Lao Cheng Lu 27 (tel. 0995/852-2325), about 90m (300 ft.) west of the central roundabout. Buses for Urumqi (187km/116 miles; 2 1/2 hr.; ¥40/$5.20/£2.60; taxi [Santana] ¥65/$8.25/£4.10 per person) leave every 20 minutes from 7:30am to 8pm. There are daily buses for Kuqa (638km/396 miles; 8 hr.; ¥120/$16/£8) and a sleeper bus for Kashgar (1,385km/859 miles; 24 hr.; ¥210/$27/£14 upper berth, ¥200/$26/£13 lower berth). Both depart at 1pm.
Getting Around -- Turpan is a small town, and nearly everything is within walking distance of the center, marked by the intersection of Lao Cheng Lu and Gaochang Lu. Taxis within the city cost ¥5 (65¢/30p). Most sights are outside town and require a taxi, minibus, or bike, which can be hired from John's Information Cafe. Your presence is noted by local drivers when you arrive. They will politely but insistently offer tours of the eight sights (bage difang). Decline.
Tours -- CITS (tel. 0995/818-2318; turpancits@sina.com; open 8am-9pm) is located to the left-of-front gate of the Oasis Hotel (on the opposite side from Qingnian Lu).
