China Wine route in Turfan

Turufan is with about 80 m below sea level the lowest situated city in China. Despite the dryness of the surrounding countryside, wheat, corn, sunflowers, cotton, melons, peaches, apricots, almonds and above all grapes, for which Turufan is very famous, flourish in this oasis city. Here these delicious vines grow on huge trellises. You can buy them fresh or dried as raisins everywhere. The reason is a sophisticated irrigation system "Karez", with which it is possible to lead water from the northern mountains to the dry fields in the lowlands.