At the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, the Karez water system forms an underground irrigation network that has fed Turfan for over two millennia. Nicknamed "the great underground wall," it captures meltwater from neighboring mountains and channels it, by gravity, to the oases of northwestern Chine. The Chinese readily cite it alongside the Grand Canal Beijing-Hangzhou, the Dujiangyan hydraulic system, and the Great Wall as one of the country's great technical achievements.

Why Visit the Karez System

Three reasons make this site remarkable. First, it is a hydraulic structure still operational after more than 2,000 years, heir to Uyghur engineering expertise that made it possible to cultivate one of the world's most arid regions. Second, it is a heritage site at risk: the falling water table threatens its function, and visiting it takes on a documentary dimension. Finally, the associated site offers a museum rich in archaeological objects, which places the Karez in the long history of the Silk Road.

History

The origins of the Karez date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE). The system was designed to make the Turpan Basin cultivable, one of the lowest regions in the world, where summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C and rainfall is virtually nonexistent.

Originally, vertical wells and underground canals were dug by hand by farmers. Drilling a single canal could take several years. Generation after generation, Uyghur communities expanded the network until it became the agricultural backbone of the region.

Since the 1980s, global warming and intensive exploitation of aquifers have caused a marked decline. According to local authorities, more than 23 Karez dry up each year, and the complete disappearance of the system is estimated at approximately 25 years if the trend continues.

What You'll See On Site

The total network is colossal: over 5,000 km of cumulative canals and approximately 1,100 Karez, each averaging about 3 km in length. Each system combines a series of vertical wells, underground galleries, and small regulatory structures that convey water from the Tianshan Mountains and the Flaming Mountains to the oases. The natural slope of the Turpan Basin allows water to flow by simple gravity, without pumping.

The visit focuses on a developed portion of the network. You descend into an underground gallery where water still flows, cool even in the height of summer, and observe the cross-section of a well. Panels explain the logic of the layout and drilling techniques.

The Karez Museum

The Turpan Water Museum, also called the Karez Museum, provides a valuable complement to the visit. It houses:

• historic photographs documenting the construction and maintenance of the canals;
• cross-section models that make the functioning very clear;
• mummies from Turpan displayed in an archaeological section;
• Manichaean objects and items related to the Silk Road.

Practical Information

The visit can be done independently or with a local guide. Allow approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to combine the underground route and the museum. Opening hours follow daylight hours and the entrance fee remains moderate; we recommend verifying current conditions with your guide or the Turpan tourism office, as they may change.

Bring water, a hat, and good walking shoes: the heat at ground level contrasts sharply with the coolness of the galleries.

When to Go

Turpan experiences an extreme desert climate. July and August are marked by high temperatures and intense sunshine, making visits to the galleries particularly pleasant but exhausting for the rest of the day. The most comfortable periods extend from April to June and September to October, when temperatures remain manageable and the region's orchards are in full activity. Winter is dry but cold, with some secondary sites occasionally closed.

How to Get There

The most-visited Karez site is located on the western outskirts of Turfan, a few kilometers from the city center. From the city, the journey takes about fifteen minutes by taxi or private car. Turfan itself is connected to Ürümqi by high-speed train (approximately 1 hour) and by highway. Most circuits in Xinjiang include the Karez stop as part of a day visit combining the ruins of Jiaohe or the Thousand Buddha Grottoes of Bezeklik.

Nearby Attractions

• Thousand Buddha Grottoes of Bezeklik, a Buddhist sanctuary carved into a cliff northeast of Turfan.
• Turfan and its oases, the logical starting point for the region.
• Big Wild Goose Pagoda, another major landmark of the Silk Road, in Xi'an.

Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing Your Trip

The Karez system fits naturally into an itinerary in Xinjiang around Turfan and the Silk Road. To build a coherent circuit combining oases, archaeological sites, and desert landscapes, consult our trips to Chine.