Xinjiang Grape Festival

Xinjiang Grape Festival

• Celebrated: Aug. 18 to Aug. 28
• Location: Turpan (see map)
• Category: Minority Celebrations

Grape cultivation in the world-famous city of Turpan dates back to more than 2000 years ago. Of the 100-odd grain strains in Turpan, the seedless white grapes, dubbed "green pearls of China", are the most precious. The raisin and wine produced in Turpan are known for their lingering good tastes. Most of Turpan's grapes are grown in the renowned Grape Valley, or "Pearl City in the Desert".

Turpan Grape Festival was first launched in 1990 and has since become an annual event in Turpan. It is also a special event to commemorate the ancient Silk Road which stretches 4000 km in China and 2000km in Xinjiang territory, with south, middle and north 3 routes crossing the area. Turpan is well-known as a strategic key point at the middle route.

On the festival, a large-scale firework display, and a singing and dancing gala marks the opening of the festival on the first night. Events on the festival include a Wedding in the Uygur style, mashlap (lively and humorous folk dance), nazkum (witty art performance), Koco style songs and dances, Hami-melon competition, trade negotiations, tour of the Street of Grapes and Melons, and camel caravans reminiscent of the Silk Road more than 2,000 years ago. Large scale Mucamu concert, a grape-eating competition, and Dawazi (in Uygur means high-altitude wire walking) challenge competition are also arranged.