
Going back a few steps to the buggy ride to the foot of the ancient city, most of the domestic tourists got out at a building that looked authentic but according to my tour guide it wasn't an original feature. If truth be told I managed to get some amazing photos from the top of the city's peak, the decaying stone remains making up the former Jiaohe Ancient City blended in with the rocked and mountainous backdrop. When I looked closer into the distance I noticed a small area of lush green trees and vegetation within the baron and dry land that occupied the former ancient city. I would find out in less than three hours as to why Turpan held pockets of lush vegetation within its harsh and hot terrain. The vast expanse of the Jiaohe Ancient City improved me much, the whole experience may have been swelteringly hot to handle but worth it in the end. Enduring the heat I need some caffeine to keep me going, I was struggling. How I didn't know the coffee was on the way! Go!

Going inside the adjoining mosque had me embracing a higher love! I'm not religious but for the spiritual feelings that I felt I couldn't connect them to any of the previous feelings felt within any other Mainland place of worship other than those within China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The interior of the mosque showcased a harsh yet smooth stone surface, a small prayer room allowed me to see its heavenly sky light that supposedly had a direct link to the prophet. Did it though? Leaving any prejudices at the door, the visit to Suleiman's adjoining mosque chilled me in one respect because it wasn't a working mosque. Not asking any more provocative questions, well I did ask some more because my guide was more accepting compared with my Kashgar counterpart. KFC? Yes, leaving the Suleiman site gave me a caffeine hit that I had missed for nearly two week! A new opened KFC franchise served me the cup of Joe that I needed! The traveling grind was getting to me, I needed chill! Sorry, T!

The whole 48 hour experience spent in Turpan felt so authentic, the guide and driver were great and everything was on time and as planned. The Karez water system attraction impressed me but keeping away from those garish souvenirs I gladly accepted an arrival back to the train station before my Urumqi bound service. My Xinjiang trip was coming to an end, I wasn't feeling bitter about that trip ending because it had been unique and challenging. Even those passport checks seemed to make the trip seem worth it? It was something else compared with any other region visited within China before. Waiting for what felt like an eternity at Urumqi's well guarded train station, I managed to get to my hotel without any hitches. My restful night was fine with my takeaway meal delivered successfully. Urumqi, Kashgar and Turpan gave me the opportunity to see several sides of China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. So being truly honest, Turpan turned up the party for that last day! Yes!
Truly Turpan!
Joseph Harrison