Journey to the West
 Turpan (11 - 13  Sept 2007)

The plan to go to Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi - 天池 ) was cancelled because I missed the bus.  The tourist bus to Tian Chi leaves before 9.30am from Renmin Gong Yuan.  The journey would take 3 hours.

As I don't intend to waste time in Wulumuqi, I rushed to check-out and catched the next bus to Turpan or Tulufan.  The bus ride to Tulufan cost RMB41.  It took about 3 hours to reach my destination. I checked into the Jiao Tong Hotel located next to the bus hotel. Cost me RMB100 per night.  Without hesitation, I went out to search for the Turpan Museum. It's just a small museum within walking distance from the bus station. Nothing great to shout about. Impressed with the collection of mummies. Can be quite eerie to visit the museum late at night, especially in the mummies room! 

I tried to catch a motorbike to visit other spots in Turpan. Fortunately I hailed a ride from Ding Sifu on his pedicab.  He brought me to visit a vineyard, explaining the process of drying grapes into raisins and lastly visited the Jiaohe Ancient Ruins.  It was easy to capture photos while riding at the back of his pedicab.