How to Get from Urumqi to Turpan - High Speed Train and Driving

Urumqi (Wulumuqi) is the provincial capital as well as the tourist distribution center in Xinjiang. Most travelers start their Xinjiang tour from Urumqi because it receives regular flights from many domestic cities such as Beijing (4h), Shanghai (5h), Xian (4h), Chengdu (4h), Chongqing (4h), Changsha (4.5h), Xining (2.5h), Dalian (4h), Guangzhou (4.5h), Lanzhou (2.5h), Yinchuan (3h), etc. as well as some international flights from Almaty and Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan, Sharjah in UAE, Kabul in Afghanistan, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Dushanbe in Tajikistan, Moscow in Russia… Besides, it is also an attractive tourist city offering many things to enjoy, including beautiful Heavenly Lake of Tianshan nearby.

Turpan (Tulufan), close to Urumqi and known as an important outpost on the Silk Road, is a charming tourist destination in Xinjiang. Because of the convenience to reach Urumqi, many travelers start a Turpan tour from Urumqi. Besides, for travelers who complete their Urumqi trip, Turpan is also a great extension as well.

5 Days Urumqi Discovery to Turpan and Heavenly Lake

Itinerary: Urumqi
Highlights: Heaven Lake, Turpan Jiaohe Ancient City, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Cave, Tuyu Valley, Flaming Mountain, Red Hill

Distance between Urumqi and Turpan

Urumqi is located in the central Xinjiang, north foot of middle section of Tianshan Mountains, south of Junggar Basin, Northwestern China and center of Eurasia. Turpan is southeastern to Urumqi and the distance between them is 167 km (about 104 miles). It is available to take a high speed train and drive directly from Urumqi to Turpan.

Urumqi to Turpan Transportation Map (Zoom in to enlarge map)

Option 1: Urumqi to Turpan High Speed Train – Most Efficient

Frequency: about 7 high speed trains) per day

Duration: 53 minutes ~ 1 hour 12 minutes

Stations: Urumqi Railway Station (乌鲁木齐站) → Turpan North Railway Station (吐鲁番北站)

More than 30 trains run from Urumqi to Xian, Lanzhou, Koral or Hami and take a stop in Turpan every day, including about 7 high speed trains. Both D-trains and C-trains (Fuxinghao) are available for your choice. The earliest train departs at around 08:18 and the latest arrives at nearly 20:00. Therefore, you can easily book one to meet your schedule. There is no stop between Urumqi and Turpan, and you can transfer between them within 1 hour usually. All high speed trains depart from Urumqi Railway Station and arrive at Turpan North Railway Station. The high speed trains not only offer a quick trip but also a great environment. The wonderful scenery out of the window is amazing.

Option 2: Urumqi to Turpan Normal Train

Frequency: about 7 high speed trains per day

Duration: 1.5 hours ~ 2.5 hours

Stations: Urumqi Railway Station (乌鲁木齐站) → Turpan North Railway Station (吐鲁番北站)

There are about 30 normal trains transferring from Urumqi to Turpan every day, including Z-trains, T-trains and K-trains. From 10:00~23:30, at least one train starts from Urumqi to Turpan in every hour. Compared with high speed trains, the normal trains take longer time at a lower cost. The whole duration is about 1.5~2.5 hours. All the normal trains start from Urumqi Railway Station and may arrive at Turpan North Railway Station or Turpan Railway Station. If you want a more comfortable trip, the high speed trains are more recommended.

Check the real-time Urumqi (Wulumuqi) to Turpan (Tulufan) train schedule:

Option 3: Urumqi to Turpan Long-distance Bus

For travelers who fail to book a train, you can also take a long-distance bus from Urumqi to Turpan. From 09:00~19:30, there are regular buses running from Urumqi Nanjiao Bus Station (乌鲁木齐南郊汽车站) to Turpan Bus Station (吐鲁番地区客运中心). The whole trip takes about 3.5 hours. The buses often wait until they fill up before leaving.

Option 4: Urumqi to Turpan Private Transfer with China Discovery – Most Recommended

Because of the short distance between Zhengzhou and Luoyang, it is a nice choice to travel from Urumqi to Turpan by driving. Booking a tour with China Discovery, we will provide you with a private transfer service. Our local travel guide and driver will pick you up at the airport or train station of Zhengzhou with an air-conditioned and non-smoking vehicle, and then escort you to your hotel or attractions on the way. You are sure to enjoy a comfortable, safe and efficient experience.

Far more than that, China Discovery is professional to provide high-quality customizable Luoyang tour. Before your tour, our travel expert will communicate with you one to one and make an itinerary according to your own interest, need and budget. Every detail – transfer, hotels, attractions, etc. will be arranged well for you and you just need to focus on sightseeing. Feel free to contact us to start your worry-free private tour now!

7 Days Urumqi Turpan Highlights Tour with Kumtag Desert Adventure

Itinerary: Urumqi / Turpan / Kumtag Desert / Urumqi
Highlights: Kumtag Desert, Heavenly Lake, Southern Pasture, Jiaohe Ancient City, Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon, Bezeklik Caves, Tuyuk Valley Mazar Village

How to Plan A Urumqi Turpan Tour

It is advised to spend 2~3 days exploring Urumqi highlights and its worth-visiting surroundings. The must be visited attractions in Urumqi City include Xinjiang Regional Museum – the most important ancient Silk Road themed museum exhibiting numerous historical relics and Red Hill Park – the symbol of Urumqi and the popular haunt for the locals. Besides, a Urumqi tour can not be completed without a visit to Heavenly Lake of Tianchi which is dream-like park with magnificent natural scenery.

After your sightseeing in Urumqi, turn to Turpan for a 2~3 days’ discovery. A classic Turpan tour covers Karez System - a magic project bringing out underground water to this barren land, Turpan Museum where lots of historical exhibits including mummies are collected and Jiaohe Ancient City - the world's largest and oldest city ruins, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Cave with exquisite murals & profound Buddhist culture, Flaming Mountain Grand Canyon with breathtaking landform, and peaceful Mazar Village (in Tuyuk Valley) where people still live traditionally. If you have one more day, don't miss Kumtag Desert, a beautiful desert offering amazing desert landscape and many interesting activities (like jeep safari, desert hiking, desert surfing, etc.).

☛ 2 Days Turpan Essence Tour from Urumqi
☛ 5 Days Urumqi Discovery to Turpan and Heavenly Lake
☛ 6 Days Urumqi and Turpan Highlights Tour

If you are interested in Muslim culture and Silk Road culture, don't hesitate to go to Kashgar, one of Xinjiang's golden triangle tourist cities together with Turpan and Urumqi. In Kashgar, there is time-honored Kashgar Old City, yellow-tiled Id Kah Mosque, busy Grand Sunday Bazaar, etc.

☛ 8 Days Xinjiang Classic Tour (Urumqi - Turpan - Kashgar)

With more days, traveling along China's Silk Road is strongly recommended. You can trace the footprints of ancient travelers from Xian - China's old capital city of 13 dynasties, to Qinghai (Xining, Qinghai Lake), Gansu (Zhangye, Jiayuguan, Dunhuang) and Xinjiang (Urumqi, Turpan, Kashgar). An in-depth Silk Road tour can be 2 weeks long, but you can spend a shorter time admiring the essence at your own pace.

☛ 10 Days Classic Silk Road Tour (Xian - Dunhuang - Turpan - Kashgar)
☛ 11 Days In-depth Wild Silk Road Adventure Tour (Lanzhou - Zhangye - Jiayuguan - Dunhuang - Urumqi - Kasgar)
☛ 12 Days Silk Road Tour from Beijing (Beijing - Xian - Dunhuang - Turpan - Urumqi)

Mazar Village in Tuyuk Valley Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Abakh Khoja Tomb in Kashgar Mrs. Chan's group from Canada visited Matisi Temple along the Silk Road

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