新疆 2011 Excerpts - Emin Minaret

We did a two-day excursion to Turpan, which is an oasis in a desert with a very very low altitude. This basically means that during this time of year, it is an absolute oven where everything bakes in heat and sand. It is an area rich in tradition and culture of the local people, this being one of the most significant structures. More on Wikipedia.

 It's pretty impressive up close, with all those intricate patterns. Unfortunately we weren't able to actually go to the upper level and look out from the roof because there was some restoration happening (part of a wall blew down in a sandstorm or something).

 There is also a graveyard area at the side of the tower, and some walkways and gardens that we strolled through.

The heat was oppressive and unending; there was no place with enough air conditioning to make it better. I basically went through this day and was barely able to remember what I did.

新疆 2011 Excerpts - Grape Valley and Karez

One of the things I loved most about this place was that I had a steady supply of grapes to eat. Turpan is especially famous for its grapes because its climate makes it ideal for growing dozens of varieties of grapes, from which dozens of varieties of raisins are made. We visited the Grape Valley, where we sampled a few grapes and raisins and looked at the vines growing everywhere. We also saw some grape-drying houses which are like large clay shelters with holes in the walls to let in the dry desert are but no direct sunlight. Bunches of grapes are hung inside to produce natural, untreated raisins. Yum!

and right beside it some guy was eating off the vine...

 We also went to the exhibit for the Karez irrigation system. This is pretty much the reason why Turpan exists at all, since it is the only source of water for the desert region. Hopefully you can make out the line of holes leading through the desert to the city. They sent people to the base of the mountains where they dug a well to find water, then dug wells at regular intervals connected by an underground canal so that the water would flow down to sustain life in the valley.