The Silk Road is long and winding, and the "Fire Continent" is rising in a strange way. This is an "extreme" world: in summer, the surface temperature of Flame Mountain can reach up to 80 ℃, making "Fire Island" truly worthy of its name; The elevation of Lake Aiding is -154.31 meters, which is the lowest point on land in China; The average annual rainfall is only about 16 millimeters, but the evaporation exceeds 3000 millimeters... This is Turpan, Xinjiang. For thousands of years, the civilization of the Central Plains and the customs of the Western Regions have blended and coexisted here, and the children of various ethnic groups have stood together and shared weal and woe, accumulating a profound historical context and deep patriotism. In July 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping visited Turpan and emphasized during his inspection of the world cultural heritage site of Jiaohe Ancient City that Jiaohe Ancient City is a transportation hub on the Silk Road and an important witness to the more than 5000 years of Chinese civilization history, with significant historical value. To continuously expand the international influence of Chinese culture, enhance national pride and cultural confidence. Following the guidance of General Secretary Xi Jinping, Turpan focuses on strengthening the sense of community of the Chinese nation, safeguarding historical heritage, and continuing the millennium cultural heritage, allowing this Silk Road city to shine with the brilliance of the times in cultural inheritance and innovation. The "Huozhou" culture runs through the west and the east, between the southern foot of Tianshan Mountain and the vast Gobi in Turpan Basin. The earliest urban prototype of Turpan, Jiaohe Ancient City, lies on a platform in the suburbs. This isolated island, about 30 meters high and resembling a willow leaf, is surrounded by two ancient rivers. According to the "Biography of the Western Regions" in the Book of Han, "In the state of Cheshi Qian, the king ruled Jiaohe City, and the river water flowed around the city, hence the name Jiaohe." This is the first time that the name Jiaohe City has been recorded in Chinese historical materials. Panoramic view of Jiaohe Ancient City (drone photo). (Photo provided by interviewee) "Jiaohe Ancient City is the world's most well preserved, longest lasting, and largest ancient earthen structure city. The architectural form inside the city is similar to that of Chang'an City in the Tang Dynasty, which confirms the historical connection between the Central Plains and the Western Regions. ”Shan Aimei, a cultural and historical expert at the Turpan Academy of Culture and History, said. Mountains and rivers serve as evidence, and the cultural context is interconnected. In 60 BC, the Western Han Dynasty established the Western Regions Protectorate, which pioneered the effective jurisdiction and governance of Xinjiang by the central government; In 327 AD, Qian Liang established Gaochang Commandery in Turpan, and the system of prefectures and counties began to be implemented in Xinjiang; In 640 AD, the Tang government established Xizhou in Turpan and set up the highest military and political institution in the Western Regions, the Anxi Protectorate... Throughout history, central governments have exercised jurisdiction over the Xinjiang region. The epitaphs of Cheng Huan and Li Chonghui, senior officials of the Tang Dynasty, unearthed in the Badamudong Tomb Group in Turpan in recent years, are vivid imprints left by the historical process. Located at the crossroads of the Silk Road, Turpan is a hub for the exchange and integration of diverse civilizations. As a model of multicultural integration in Xinjiang, Turpan currently has 1491 immovable cultural relics sites, the largest in Xinjiang, and is known as the "richest open-air archaeological museum in the world"; In history, 7 religions have been popular here, and 19 scripts and 25 languages have been used. A corner of Jiaohe Ancient City. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Lei: Standing in Turpan, amidst the ruins, people can not only touch the long thread of cultural integration between the Central Plains and the Western Regions, but also glimpse the diverse coexistence of Silk Road civilization. In the Astana ancient tomb group, 12-year-old boy Bu Tianshou from Gaochang County, Xizhou, Tang Dynasty copied the "Analects of Confucius: Annotations on Zheng Xuan" as part of his "homework". Chinese and Syrian double-sided documents were unearthed from the Nestorian temple site on the west side, and different colored and styled monks stood side by side on the mural of the Thousand Buddha Cave in Bazi Creek... Looking back at history, many sites and cultural relics in Turpan have been unveiled with mystery. Time flies, and the cultural context continues. In October 2025, the 7th International Academic Symposium on Turpan Studies was held, bringing together nearly 200 experts and scholars from 16 countries and regions around the world in "Huozhou". German scholar Peter Zimmer, who is over eighty years old, came here again. More than 50 years ago, he became acquainted with Turpan through a Uyghur script. Every time I visit Turpan, I can read new stories from the ruins and documents. ”Peter Zimmer's emotion expressed the charm of Turpan's time travel. Experts and scholars participating in the 7th Turpan International Academic Symposium are conducting an investigation at a site. (Photo provided by interviewee) Currently, seven international academic seminars have been successfully held, elevating Turpan from a hub of ancient civilizations to a highland for cultural research on the Silk Road; In the laboratory of the Turpan Academy of Sciences, restorers lay at their desks piecing together fragments of documents, and young scholars used technological means to restore historical scenes, passing on the "obscure and unique" knowledge from generation to generation. The reason why Turpan studies can become an 'internationally renowned school' is due to the inclusive nature of this city. ”Chen Aifeng, Vice President of the Turpan Academy of Studies, said that Turpan embraces multiculturalism with a harmonious yet diverse mindset, allowing the world to understand the inclusiveness and vastness of Chinese civilization through this land. The ancient charm of the Silk Road enters the ordinary spring breeze, and all things are scattered. In the northeast of Turpan City, in the Flame Mountain Canyon, Adili Niazi, a villager from Grape Valley, is busy watering and fertilizing his vineyard, tending to the branches of the vine trellis all day long: "For generations, we have made a living by growing grapes, and grapes also embody the Turpan people's fervent longing for a better life." "The grape wine glow in the dark cup" is a famous line passed down from the Tang Dynasty frontier poet Wang Han, witnessing the vicissitudes of the Silk Road with a unique scenery and settling the profound heritage of the Western Regions. It is well known that Turpan grapes are sweet, but few people know that the earliest ancient grape vine discovered in China was unearthed from the Turpan Yanghai Cemetery. Archaeological evidence shows that grapes were already planted in Turpan over 2300 years ago, making it a well deserved land of grapes. Nowadays, this place gathers more than 550 grape varieties and enjoys the reputation of "World Grape Botanical Garden". The fruit farmers in Turpan are picking grapes. During his inspection in Turpan, General Secretary Xi Jinping once said, "What a rich place, with fragrant fruits and melons. This is a gift from nature," emphasizing the need to "promote the integration of culture and tourism development and create industries that enrich the people. Picking in the countryside and enjoying leisure, the folk street of Frog Lane is filled with fireworks, and the large-scale music and dance poem "Turpan's Grapes Sing" interprets the Silk Road style. Winery sightseeing, wine tourism research, and tasting experience complement each other... Nowadays, Turpan's entire industry is flourishing, allowing the grape farming civilization and Silk Road cultural heritage that has been accumulated for thousands of years to be actively inherited through rural fireworks and year-round cultivation, writing a vivid footnote of the integration of ancient and modern, and the sustainable cultural context. Today's Turpan people, remember General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest instructions to "make more cultural relics and heritage come alive", dig deep into the cultural nutrients of the long river of history, and let the dusty treasures shine with the brilliance of the times. The dusk permeates the Gobi Desert, the evening breeze brushes against the city walls, and the "Museum Wonderful Night" opens leisurely. Families are filled with anxiety and joy, camping in the exhibition hall and spending a unique cultural and museum night together. In the display cabinet, precious relics such as ancient giant rhinoceroses and ancient corpses from the Western Regions are silently displayed, and the beauty of time condenses in every inch. The river of time slowly stops here. Tourists visit the Turpan Museum. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Lei: "We must closely connect the profound cultural relics with the ordinary people, and bring a millennium civilization into our lives. ”Deng Yonghong, Vice President (Deputy Director) of Turpan Museum, said. Amidst the streets and alleys of the city, a new flavor of fireworks emerges. Baking master Ayiguli Kahar replicated and restored Tang Dynasty treasure patterned mooncakes, bringing ancient charm and deliciousness back to the people's dining tables; The calligraphy exhibition based on the excavated documents from Turpan attracts calligraphy enthusiasts from all over the country to gather together; At the scene of characteristic "night economy" experience activities such as "Night Tour of Jiaohe" and "Night Tasting of Grape Valley", the national intangible cultural heritage of Muqam was lightly played and sung, with exciting performances... The data witnessed the vitality of development. In the past five years, the number of tourists received in Turpan has continued to grow, reaching nearly 40 million by 2025, and the added value of the cultural industry has steadily increased. The millennium Silk Road civilization is deeply integrated into modern life, continuing endlessly and thriving. Tourists enjoy ethnic song and dance performances at Tuyugou Scenic Area in Turpan City. Xinhua News Agency reporter Faye Wong's photo shows the continuation of the battle with unity. In the warm spring, the elderly craftsman Mutila Tursun stands by the Karez well, leading the younger generation to inspect the water flow underground. The Turpan Desert is vast, the climate is arid, and the problem of water shortage has always been prominent. In order to solve the problem of survival and development, ancient people created the water conservancy wonder of Karez Well. A row of Turpan Karez wellheads (drone photo). Photo by Ding Lei, Xinhua News Agency. From the formation of underground water channels in the Han Dynasty to the excavation of more than 60 qanats by Lin Zexu in the Qing Dynasty, the drilling skills brought by Central Plains craftsmen collided and integrated with the survival wisdom of Western ancestors, creating a sophisticated design of "vertical shaft ventilation and underground channel water supply". The total length of the underground culverts in the Ka'erjing area of Turpan once exceeded 5000 kilometers, which is close to the sum of the lengths of the three Grand Canals. Regardless of ethnicity or age, men dig in wells and women provide food and water. Every well is engraved with the historical imprint of united efforts and mutual prosperity. ”Wang Long, the head of the Archaeological Research Institute of Turpan Academy, said. Nowadays, the function of the Karez well has surpassed irrigation itself. At the Turpan Karez Amusement Park scenic area, tour guide Tursun Khan Hu Ji Ai He Maiti is enthusiastic every time he explains: "Telling the story of Karez well is to inherit the spirit of hard work and endurance of the elderly in our hometown." Tourists play at Turpan Karez Amusement Park. During his inspection in Xinjiang, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to "strengthen the sense of community of the Chinese nation" and "promote all ethnic groups to embrace each other tightly like pomegranate seeds. The children of Huozhou have always been connected in heart and hand, fighting side by side. From "sleeping with light energy" to "boiling with green electricity", the Gobi Desert has given rise to multi scenario application models such as "photovoltaic+agriculture" and "photovoltaic+desertification control"; The sand therapy industry centered on "medicine, health care, and tourism" is flourishing, driving the rapid development of local catering, accommodation, and other industries; More than 82000 acres of solar greenhouses have been built in the city, with an annual supply of over 160000 tons of vegetables. The vast sand sea has turned into a green vegetable garden; Grape fresh fruits, wine, raisins, and other products have entered 39 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia... Their unique natural endowments have been transformed into development advantages, and the results have benefited people of all ethnic groups. Unite with one heart and move towards a new direction. At the foot of Flame Mountain, the construction of the second phase of the high-temperature dry heat vehicle testing field project of CCCC Flame Mountain Automotive Inspection Co., Ltd. is in full swing. Currently, the first phase of the project has settled in more than 50 domestic and foreign car companies. In recent days, Parhati Tursun, an employee of the testing ground, has been busy connecting with domestic and foreign clients: "Now that hometown has become a 'treasure', I have not only learned professional skills here, but also met colleagues from all over the world. My heart is full of a sense of achievement and pride." A Turpan internet anchor is filming a short video to promote Hami melons from his hometown. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Ding Lei: Time rushes forward, and the ancient charm of the Silk Road endures forever. Rooted in the land of "Huozhou", the children of all ethnic groups in Turpan are working together and forging ahead, inheriting the millennium accumulation and cultivating a new future in the symphony of wind and sand rolling and clear spring flowing years. (Looking into the New Era)