Turfan / Turpan / Tulufan

Flew from Kuqa back to Urumqi.  Not much of a problem figuring out which plane returned to Urumqi.  It arrived from Urumqi at 9 AM and it was the only plane on the tarmac so it was clear when we boarded which plane to take.                

I begin a new paragraph because there is always a first time for everything and this was the first flight I have every taken in my fifty years of flying that left early.  It was scheduled for 9:50 departure and took off, not left the gate, but took off at 9:40.                

Arrived in Urumqi and took a taxi to Urumqi South Train station for trip to Turfan.  Wonderful service, clean train.              

A people are nice story.  I am studying Chinese and was reviewing my flash cards on the train.  Firstly the Policeman on the train stopped and looked at my cards and tested my pronunciation.  Then the woman sitting next to me began quizzing me on each word and had me use each word in a sentence.  How wonderfully proud they are of their culture and how willing they are to help people learn their language.  Each time I have visited Chin I have had similar positive people experiences.  I have always been met with kindness and extreme courtesy in their country.               

We arrived in Turfan in the early afternoon and it was hot and dusty.  A much smaller town than Kuqa.  I sense a great Uighur influence in Turfan, maybe stronger than Kuqa.                

The hotel, and I apologize for the negative comments, TuHa Petroleum Hotel, was a major disappointment.  Maybe two stars.  Quite past it’s prime.  The staff was also not too interested in fulfilling my needs.                

The Tulufan Museum was a wonderful, experience.  A must visit if you are in Turfan.   And, it is free.  It told the story of the region, history, archeology, geology on three floors.  I visited Turfan because of the Buddhist history but understood its geological history as being quite important.  They had a great display of dinosaurs.