Turpan Transportation: Getting to & Around the City

Written by Catherine | Updated August 28,2025

Turpan belongs to China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This is a land of extremes-known as the lowest and hottest lands in China, its name always conjures images of fiery deserts, glistening grapevines, and a history thriving in the legacy of the Silk Road. From the ingenious Karez Irrigation System and the remarkably preserved ruins of Jiaohe Ancient City, to the lingering dreams of the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and the tranquil beauty of Tuyuk Valley, Turpan offers an immersive journey through time—just like in Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

While Turpan may not boast an extensive public transport system like many modern cities in China, it is easily accessible by air and rail. This guide will equip you with comprehensive information on how to reach Turpan from major gateway cities like Urumqi, Dunhuang, and Lanzhou, as well as tips on navigating the city itself. Whether you’re planning  a  Silk Road  tour or a deep dive into Xinjiang’s cultural heart, this Turpan transportation guide has got your back!

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• • How to Get to Turpan
  • From Nearby Cities to Turpan Transportation
  • Get to Turpan from Major Silk Road Destinations
  • How to Get Around Turpan
  • Turpan Transportation to Major Attractions
  • FAQs about Turpan Transportation
  • Exploring Turpan and the Silk Road

How to Get to Turpan

By Air:

Turpan Jiaohe Airport is the only airport serving Turpan.  There are direct flights from prominent cities to Turpan, while you can also choose to get to Urumqi first and then take an express train (1h) to Turpan, which incorporates Urumqi-Turpan travels altogether. Here are some flight durations from key cities:&nbsp

• Urumqi– 1 hours
• Lanzhou – 2.5 hours
• Zhengzhou – 4.5 hours
• Beijing – 5.5 hours

Turpan Airport Transportation:

Turpan Jiaohe Airport is located about 10.5 kilometers (30-minutes drive) from the city center. Upon arrival at Turpan Jiaohe Airport, you have several options to reach the city center:

• Taxi: Taxis are readily available at the airport arriving hall , with a fare ranging from 30 to 40 RMB, lower if you are happy to share the ride with other passengers.
• Public Bus: There is shuttle bus service between Turpan Jiaohe Airport and Turpan Northern Railway Station, where you can transfer to other public transportation.
• Private Transport: For a more comfortable trip in Turpan, you can hire a private vehicle or follow a guided tour.

By Train:

Turpan sits along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang High-Speed Railway, with its strategic location making train travel highly convenient. High-speed trains stop at Xining, Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang, Hami, and Urumqi, ideal for a Silk Road journey.

Turpan North Railway Station is the city’s main hub and is the only high speed railway station in Turpan, just 1 hour from Urumqi and 3.5 hours from Dunhuang, with connections to major cities like Xi’an, Chongqing, and Shanghai. Turpan Railway Station usually serves regional trains within Xinjiang. While Shanshan North Railway Station, 12 km from Kumtag Desert, is best for desert lovers to savor the scenery along the journey.

From Nearby Cities to Turpan Transportation

To make the most of your Turpan tour, we recommend you to explore other cities that were key to Silk Road trade and cultural exchange. Here are the ways to get from Turpan to some of the most preferred cities for an in-depth journey:

From Xi’an to Turpan

Xi’an, the start of the Silk Road. Here you can explore the Terracotta Warriors, visit museums, learn Chinese calligraphy, savor Shaanxi cuisine, and bike along ancient city walls. With so much to do, your Xi’an tour will be unforgettable.

• By flight: 4 hours.
• By train: 25-45 hours. ( Transfer needed, Kashgar-Turpan-Xi’an, as recommended route.)

From Urumqi to Turpan

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang, a modern metropolis that jazzes up cross-ethnic cultures. This is a city alive with colours. From bustling bazaars and ancient Silk Road relics to stunning natural landscapes, there’s no shortage of things to explore.

• By flight: 2-2.5 hours.
• By train: 11.5-27 hours. (Express “Kashgar Train” recommended.)

From Kashgar to Turpan

Kashgar is one of the most ancient cities in Xinjiang, known for its Silk Road heritage, vibrant bazaars (more of an authentic and exotic vibe), and unique Uyghur culture. Located about 1,474 kilometers south-west of Urumqi, you can travel to Kashgar.

• By flight: 2 hours.
• By Train: 13-23 hours.

Get to Turpan from Major Silk Road Destinations

How to Get Around Turpan

Turpan Public Transport:

Due to preservation concerns, Turpan’s public transport network is relatively basic compared to prominent cities in China. There is no metro network currently operating, but public bus, taxi and private driving suffice for you trip. The most common forms of transportation are:

• Buses: There are about 10 bus routes in Turpan City. The fares are cheap, typically around 1-2 RMB.
• Taxis: Taxis are easily available throughout the city. However, most local taxi drivers don’t speak English, so you will have to write down your destination in Chinese in advance.
• Local donkey taxi: Donkey taxi driven by donkey is a kind of unique way for tourists to travel in Turpan. It mainly cover the Gaochang District. The cost is CNY 10 per person with a duration of 15 – 20 minutes.
• Chartered Vehicle: It mainly provides point-to-point transportation services between scenic spots for tourists. The car type includes sedan, SUV, off-road vehicle and business vehicle. The price to the downtown scenic spots is about CNY 300 – 500 per day, and that to the distant scenic areas is about CNY 600 – 800 each day.

Turpan Transportation to Major Attractions

Get to Jiaohe Ruins 

Jiaohe Ruins attract tourists with its stunning earthen architecture and its abundance of historical context. Jiaohe Ancient City is the world’s largest, oldest, and best-preserved earthen-built city, as well as China’s most intact urban ruins, preserved for over 2,000 years. It was also the earliest site of the Anxi Protectorate, the highest military and administrative institution in the Western Regions during the Tang Dynasty. Each relic here speaks words about the past, and each cobblestone lane tells stories about ancient glories.

• By Bus: People can take bus No. 1 or No. 101 to Turpan’s Xincheng Road stop.
• By Taxi: Jiaohe ruins is just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Turpan City. It will only take 15 minutes by taxi and it will cost just 20 yuan.

Get to the Karez Irrigation System

The karez well system, known as the “Underground Great Wall,” is a treasure of Uyghur engineering, serving the land with its enduring design. Come witness the wonders of this ancient engineering and admire the ingenuity that sustains this desert land!

The drive from city center to the karez well system is around 9.5 kilometers and takes 20 minutes. Taxi fare is affordable, about 20 yuan. A local guide is also preferable. You can consult our teams to gain useful tips on transportation and detailed explanations of history and architecture of the karez well system, making your China Silk Road Tours more in-depth.

Get to the Tuyuk Valley

Tuyoq Village, is the oldest existing Uyghur village in Xinjiang, with a history of over 2600 years. Nestled in the depths of the grand canyon, the village is endowed with meticulously preserved Uyghur customs and architectural art and hence is praised as the “living fossil” of folk culture. The most iconic feature here is its adobe ancient buildings which stand as shining examples of the region’s rich “loess culture.”

It is about 60 kms from Turpan downtown to Tuyuk Valley, and regular buses are operating. Please note that all the buses just can reach Tuyuk Town, from there, you need to take a moterbike or walk for about 1 hour to reach Tuyuk Village.

Get to the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

Carved into the cliffs of Mutou Valley deep, the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves whisper fading stories of unnamed devotion, ethereal art, and time’s relentless passage. For thousands of years, she has fought to preserve the most blissful dreams of our ancestors from being erased by time and human hands.

Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves are located at the Flaming Mountain Area, Gaochang District, Turpan. 39 km from Turpan downtown. The most convenient way to get there is by taxi, with round-trip fares ranging from CNY 150-200. Alternatively, take a local bus to Shanshan County, then transfer to a tuktuk or shared taxi for the final leg. For a guided experience, consider joining a turpan tour with us to get rid of Language barriers.

Learn more information and tips on getting to and traveling around Xinjiang.

FAQs about Turpan Transportation

How many train stations are there in Turpan and which one should I use?

There are two train stations in Turpan: Turpan Railway Station and Turpan North Railway Station. Turpan Railway Station offers normal trains, its distance to downtown Turpan is about 46 kilometers. Passengers can take shuttle bus to the city center with a cost of CNY 10 and duration of one hour. While Turpan North Railway Station is a high-speed train station. It is only 15 kilometers to city center and next to Turpan Jiaohe Airport. Kuaike Bus Line 1 and 2 connect the train station with downtown area, its duration is about 30 minutes and ticket fare is CNY 5. So in summary, Turpan North Railway Station is recommended.

Are taxis readily available in Turpan?

Yes, taxis in Tupran operate 24 hours in the downtown area, airport and train stations. Usually, it is also easy to get a taxi at the entrance of scenic spots. But during 18:00 – 20:00 in peak seasons in July and August, the taxi may be insufficient, so online hailing service is more recommended. The flag-down fare of taxi is CNY 5 with an additional charge of CNY 2 per kilometer.

Can I hire a private car or driver for a day of sightseeing?

Of course. The scenic spots in Turpan is scattered, tourists prefer to hire a car or driver to save  time and energy. Remember to rent the car in official tourism website, licensed travel agency or local companies. The rental fee for one day is usually CNY 300 – 800 according to the car types.

Exploring Turpan and the Silk Road

Turpan has been recognized as the “throat” of the Silk Road. It stands as the oasis miracle in the desert and brings hope to travelers, merchants and couriers from all over the world. Through thousands of years, Turpan hasn’t changed her vital role in the Silk Road. If you’re planning a Xinjiang tour or Turpan travel, we strongly suggest you incorporate other prominent cities of Silk Road, like Xian, the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army; Zhangye, with its stunning Danxia Landform and Rainbow Mountains; and so on.