When you think of the Great Wall, images of stone ramparts atop rugged hills probably come to mind. But did you know there's an "underground" Great Wall in Turpan? 💧🏜️
Stretching across the Chinese mainland from Hushan in Shandong Province all the way to Jiayuguan in Gansu Province, the famed Great Wall is a wonder above ground. Yet in northwestern China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a different network of walls runs below your feet: the karez. This vast subterranean irrigation system snakes unseen around the city of Turpan, channeling precious water from distant mountains straight into desert farms and orchards.
Built centuries ago by ingenious engineers, the karez taps underground aquifers and protects the water from evaporation under the scorching sun. It's like a secret water highway that keeps Turpan's vineyards and grapevines thriving in one of China's driest spots. 🌿🍇
For travelers and explorers, visiting these ancient tunnels is a journey back in time. You can walk along the trenches, feel the cool breeze that flows within, and marvel at how past generations turned a barren landscape into a green oasis.
So next time you plan an adventure in Asia, remember Turpan's hidden "Great Wall" – an underground marvel that proves creativity and resilience can conquer even the harshest environments. 🚶♀️✨
Reference(s):
Underground 'Great Wall' ensures water supply in arid Turpan
cgtn.com
