Korla to Turpan

Well, we arrived yesterday afternoon in the city of Turpan, pronounced Tu-Lu-Fan in the Turpan depression (80 meters roughly 240ft below sea level). Turpan is the lowest point in all of China, that being said we were treated to a 50km non stop downhill over a small mountain pass into the valley yesterday, what a nice lead in to a rest day. The highest elevation on the ride yesterday was approx 5500ft which was at the top of our 22km morning climb and our lowest point at -240ft below sea level. Some of the main attractions of Turpan are the shaded walkways that are covered almost into a tunnel with thick green grape vines there are also a few ancient tombs and old ruins along with the thousand Buddha caves on the out skirts of the city.

What goes down must go up!! We will head back up out of the valley early tomorrow morning and continue on our way to the east. We will be on the road and camping for the next six days before taking another rest approx 800km from here in Dunhuang!!