Turfan
Part of the Traveling the Silk Road exhibition.
After months spent baking under the blazing sun, the caravan has reached Turfan. At last, here is a lush oasis refuge from the harsh Taklimakan Desert of Central Asia. Ingenious irrigation systems bring cool water from nearby mountains, offering you and your thirsty camels a refreshing drink. More important, the water allows farmers here to grow an incredible array of fruits and vegetables. What's not eaten by residents or hungry travelers will be traded along the Silk Road, reaching kitchens thousands of miles away.