We visited a Karze museum. The Karze is an ancient (well over 2000 years old) method of irrigation. The people in this desert area dug wells on the slope from the mountains towards the Turpan area. The wells were dug at intervals with an underground tunnel connecting them and then where needed they would have the water surface to provide water for people and crops. It was amazing to see how it was done. I've included a photo of one of the underground channels of water. This is one of the driest (and lowest areas) on earth, yet they have these wonderful grapes and other crops. The Karze is still used today - we could see the mounds of wells in our travels.
We also visited the ancient city of Jiaohe which was built on a plateau overlooking a river. It was made by people tunneling into the soil and forming huge buildings. It had been a large city, but was destroyed by muslims who wanted the Buddhist residents to change their religion.
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