Kosupa Travel

Turpan, located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, flourished as a key Silk Road oasis. Known for its grape and wine production, this city maintains a unique cultural identity within China. After a day of sightseeing, we decided to experience Turpan’s vibrant nightlife with an all-night adventure.

What is Turpan?

Turpan (also known as Turfan or Tulufan) is a city in eastern Xinjiang, nestled in a basin surrounded by the Tianshan Mountains. Historically a crucial East-West trade hub, it’s famous for its grapes, raisins, and Hami melons. The grapes are so renowned they’re called the “Jewels of Turpan Basin.” Recently, the region has gained recognition for its wine production, creating some of China’s most acclaimed wines. It’s also a center of Uyghur culture, offering unique music, dance, and culinary experiences.

Xinjiang Time and Winter Weather

The Xinjiang region, including Turpan, operates on its own timezone, two hours behind Beijing Time. The region’s desert climate means extremely hot summers. Winter runs from late November through March, with relatively mild days but temperatures often dropping below freezing at night. During our visit, temperatures reached -15°C (5°F), making warm clothing essential for winter visits.

Checking into Our Hotel After Daytime Sightseeing

After a day of exploration, we headed to our hotel at dusk. With our belongings safely stored, we waited for nightfall to explore the city. Since our train to Urumqi was scheduled for early morning, we decided to experience the city’s nightlife without sleeping.

Starting with Local Beer and Wine

Our first stop was a convenience store to purchase local beverages. Here’s what we tried:

• Yanjing Beer: A classic beer beloved throughout China.
– WUSU Beer: Xinjiang’s signature beer with its distinctive WUSU label.
– Loulan Wine: A highly regarded wine made from Turpan grapes.

While Xinjiang has a significant Muslim population, alcoholic beverages are widely available. Xinjiang wines, in particular, are recognized as premium products throughout China. We sampled our purchases in our hotel room while getting ready for the night ahead.

Visiting a Turpan Disco

After our drinks, we headed to a local disco. The venue featured unique Islamic-inspired mirror balls, creating a distinctive atmosphere. Half the space was dedicated to table seating, with the other half serving as a dance floor. Despite the freezing temperatures outside keeping streets empty, the venue was packed and vibrant.

The Uyghur dance style typically involves dancing in pairs. While we were unfamiliar with the moves, watching the diverse crowd of Uyghur and Han people enjoying themselves was entertaining enough.

Next Stop: A Music Pub

After the disco, we visited a music pub. The dimly lit venue offered a relaxed atmosphere with acoustic performances by a guitarist and resident singer. Patrons enjoyed shisha (water pipes) while listening to music, creating a uniquely Uyghur space reflecting Islamic cultural influences.

Interestingly, while these music pubs might appear to serve alcohol, many don’t. Despite the temptation to drink while enjoying the music, it’s important to respect local customs.

Final Destination: Turpan Night Club

As the night progressed, we visited a local nightclub. The venue featured an illuminated dance floor surrounded by table seating. Its slightly dated lighting created a 1990s retro atmosphere reminiscent of classic club culture.

The crowd here was younger than at the disco, with people dancing energetically under laser lights. Dancing followed the Uyghur style, primarily in pairs. The rhythm of the night was interesting – when music played, everyone would rush to the dance floor, then return to their tables for conversation between songs. Even we, initially shy, found ourselves on the dance floor attempting some moves.

Summary

Turpan’s nightlife offers a completely different experience from its daytime attractions. Through music, dance, and local beverages, we gained unique insights into Uyghur culture. For anyone planning a trip to Xinjiang, we highly recommend experiencing the nightlife scene.