Daheyan is a small Xinjiang town on the Silk Road and although it doesn’t have much going for it, it makes a decent stop-off or side trip from Turpan. It is just off the Urumqi-Turpan highway G312 and lies above the Turpan Depression.
There’s not much to see in Daheyan and it is only worth coming out here if you have spare time in Urumqi. It sits over the Turpan Depression, China’s lowest point, and has fantastic views of the landscape. The mountains here are dry and barren, although the walking is easier going than in roasting Turpan.
Turpan is a couple of hours by dry riverbed road from Daheyan and is more appealing. Visiting in summer is not recommended as it gets boiling hot. Turpan has a nice mosque to check out, while nearby is the renowned Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Caves and Flaming Mountain.
Getting There & Away
Daheyan is around 130kms by road from Urumqi and 50kms from Turpan and is accessible by tour bus in around 3 hours from Urumqi, the Xinjiang capital. Turpan is an hour or so to the southeast. The nearest airport is in Urumqi, Diwopu International Airport, which receives flights from Beijing (4 hours) and Shanghai (5 hours).
Things to Do
Daheyan Attractions
- Exploring Daheyan
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There’s nothing to see in town, yet getting on a four-wheel-drive trip of the countryside is fun.
Side trips from Daheyan
- Turpan
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Is the big attraction in the region, featuring the lowest point in china. it is also the gateway to the bizaklik thousand buddha caves and flaming mountain.