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

Grape Valley (Putao Gou 葡萄沟)
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The Grape Valley is a wide area located between Turpan town and the Flaming Mountain.
You can visit the many farmers houses and vineyards. Some of the farmers also present traditional Xinjiang dances and sell raisins or grapes.  However, you may want to skip the Grape Valley Centre, which collect RMB60 for entry fee and has not much to show.

I found the Grape Valley Centre as an over-rated tourist spot.  There were only trellis of grapevine to be seen.  At an entry fee of RMB60, this is not worthwhile at all.  The place is badly maintained.  You would expect for such entry fee, the toilet should at least be clean, but they were not.  To watch the Xinjiang dance, an additional fee would be charged.  The so-called brewery in the Grape Valley was just a bar where visitors are invited to taste various kind of wine at a fee.  And to take photos of the few beautiful Xinjiang ladies in traditional costumes, a fee of RMB10 would be charged!  So, this is just a commercial spot!  Skip it if possible!