Tuyugou Valley in Turpan

Tuyoq Valley is located in Tuyoq Township, Shanshan County, Turpan. It is a spectacular natural canyon formed as flowing water and wind gradually carved through the Flaming Mountains from north to south. Stretching for approximately 8 kilometers, it is one of the most dramatic and magnificent gorges cutting through the Flaming Mountains.

What makes Tuyoq Valley particularly distinctive is the remarkable combination of red-rock canyon scenery, ancient Buddhist grottoes, an original earthen village, and important religious sites. The area represents one of the most fascinating cultural crossroads along the ancient Silk Road, where different civilizations and religions developed and interacted over many centuries.

At the southern end of the valley lies Mazar Village (Maza Village), one of the oldest surviving Uyghur traditional villages in Xinjiang. Built almost entirely from locally sourced earth, the village is often described as a “living fossil of earthen architecture.”

The Tuyoq Grottoes, excavated during the Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties period, are among the earliest Buddhist grotto complexes in the Gaochang region. Buddhist caves, the ancient Uyghur village, and an Islamic sacred site all exist within the same valley, making Tuyoq a remarkable place to explore the long history of cultural and religious exchange in the Western Regions.

Main Highlights

Dramatic Red-Rock Canyon

Tuyoq Valley is characterized by richly layered red-rock cliffs in shades of red, brown, yellow, and gray. The contrasting geological strata create an especially striking landscape, with the narrow valley cutting dramatically through the surrounding Flaming Mountains.

Several viewing platforms along the county road offer panoramic views over the canyon and Mazar Village below. The cliffs become particularly atmospheric around sunrise and sunset, when the changing sunlight brings out different tones in the layered rock formations.

Mazar Village and Earthen Architecture

Mazar Village is built almost entirely from rammed local loess, preserving a traditional settlement style rarely seen elsewhere in such an intact form. Narrow, maze-like earthen lanes wind between traditional houses, while carved wooden windows and grape-drying structures add distinctive local character.

The minaret of the village mosque stands as one of the main landmarks and can be seen from different parts of the settlement. Climbing to the terrace of a traditional house provides an excellent viewpoint over the entire earth-colored village, with its dense network of lanes and flat-roofed buildings blending naturally into the surrounding landscape.

Visitors can also encounter demonstrations of traditional intangible cultural heritage crafts, including mulberry-paper making and earthenware pottery, offering a closer look at the craftsmanship and everyday culture of the local Uyghur community.

Tuyoq Grottoes

The Tuyoq Grottoes are an important treasure of Gaochang Buddhist art. Dozens of caves survive in the complex, and some still contain valuable ancient murals that provide insight into the religious art and cultural exchanges of the ancient Western Regions.

The grottoes are a protected archaeological and cultural heritage site. Real-name advance reservation is required for visits to the caves, and daily visitor numbers are limited. Photography is prohibited inside the grottoes, and visitors must not touch the murals or other surviving cultural relics.

Hoja Mazar and the Seven Saints' Tombs

Hoja Mazar (Seven Saints' Tombs) is an important Islamic sacred site and is sometimes known as the “Little Mecca of the East.” It holds deep religious significance for local Muslims and attracts pilgrims and visitors interested in the region's Islamic heritage.

Non-Muslim visitors may generally view the site only from the outer area. Visitors should dress modestly, remain quiet, and strictly respect local religious customs and restrictions when approaching the sacred area.

Tickets and Opening Information

The scenic-area combination ticket costs CNY 30. Full-time students and visitors aged 60–65 can receive half-price admission with valid identification. Children under 1.2 meters, visitors aged 65 and above, active-duty military personnel, and other eligible groups can enter free of charge with valid identification.

The Tuyoq Grottoes require a separate online real-name reservation, and daily visitor numbers are limited, so advance booking is recommended, especially during peak travel periods.

During the peak season, from April 21 to October 20, the scenic area is open from 08:00 to 21:00. During the low season, from October 21 to April 20 of the following year, opening hours are 10:00 to 18:30.

Allow approximately 3 hours for a complete visit covering the main canyon viewpoints, Mazar Village, and the grotto area.

Transportation Guide

Tuyoq Valley is approximately 1 hour by car from central Turpan and about 30 minutes by car from Shanshan County. Public transportation services are relatively limited and infrequent, so travelers in groups are generally better off hiring a private vehicle or chartered car.

A shuttle bus operates within the scenic area, providing transport to and from the entrance of the ancient village. Visitors can also choose to walk into the village and explore its traditional lanes at a slower pace.

Tuyoq Valley is particularly convenient to combine with the Kumtag Desert, making it possible to arrange a full-day Shanshan itinerary that combines dramatic desert scenery with ancient villages, Buddhist heritage, and Uyghur cultural landscapes.

Travel Tips

Turpan becomes extremely hot in summer, and the exposed sections of the canyon receive intense sunlight with little natural shade. Try to visit in the early morning or late afternoon, and bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and plenty of drinking water.

The village and grotto areas are both cultural heritage sites and places where local ethnic communities live and worship. When entering a mosque or cemetery, dress modestly and appropriately, keep your voice low, and do not enter private homes or residential areas without permission.

Photography is not permitted inside the grottoes, and visitors must never touch the murals or other cultural relics. Drones are prohibited from being brought into the grotto area.

Many of the lanes inside the ancient village are unpaved earth paths, so comfortable shoes with good grip are recommended. The village remains part of the local community's everyday life, so visitors should avoid disturbing residents and should ask for permission before photographing local people.

For a convenient day trip in Shanshan, Tuyoq Valley can be combined with the Kumtag Desert, allowing you to experience both the spectacular landscapes of the Turpan Basin and the region's distinctive Silk Road and Uyghur cultural heritage.