Welcome to Turpan, the hottest place in China, where summer temperatures can exceed 50 degrees. We chose to visit in the height of summer, and it was perhaps the most foolish decision we have ever made. The heat was unbearable, yet we kept going to learn how people live in this remote part of the country. Welcome back to China.
Backpacker Ben risks the insane heat of Turpan, China, exploring ancient ruins and spicy street food before conquering the desert for a stunning sunset.
Join Backpacker Ben as he braves the blistering heat of Turpan, China's hottest city, where summer temps can hit 50°C. From surviving spicy street food to exploring the ancient 2,000-year-old ruins of Jiaohe, this adventure is a sweaty, hilarious, and unforgettable ride through Xinjiang. Watch as he and Cat battle the elements for stunning desert sunsets.
Welcome to Turpan, the hottest place in China where temperatures can hit over 50 degrees in the summer! Well...we decided to come here during summer and it was perhaps the most stupid decision we have ever done. It was unbearable! However we tried to make the most of it to see how life was in this...
Surviving Turpan China Hottest City Xinjiang Desert Adventure
Backpacker Ben takes us to Turpan, claimed as the hottest place in China, where summer temperatures climb past 50 degrees. The video follows the pair as they decide to visit during the peak heat, a choice they admit might have been unwise, and they openly describe how unbearable the heat can be. Despite the challenge, they push through to glimpse daily life in this remote corner of Xinjiang, offering moments of curiosity, resilience, and a sense of discovery about an often overlooked part of the country. The journey is framed as a bold, if uncomfortable, exploration of Turpan’s landscapes, people, and everyday routines, all folded into a larger note of welcome back to China. The tone blends humor with grit, showing how travelers adapt when the mercury soars and the travel plans get tested.
Attractions in this video: Jiaohe Ancient City, Taklamakan Desert, Urumqi Street Food Bazaar
This video drops you right into the scorching heart of Xinjiang, China, with Backpacker Ben. He starts in Urumqi, where the heat is already a character in the story, hitting 32°C at 8 PM. The first stop is a wild street food bazaar. Ben tries a mysterious, spicy bread and fatty meat that he calls 'banging,' but his stomach immediately starts protesting. They then hop on a high-speed train to Turpan, the main event, where temperatures reach a brutal 43°C. The journey is full of the chaos that defines their travel style—confusion over transport, hilarious interactions with locals, and the constant struggle against the sun. The highlight is a visit to the ancient city of Jiaohe, a 2,000-year-old cave city. The heat is so oppressive that Cat has to sit down, leaving Ben to explore alone, marveling at how anyone survived there without AC. The grand finale is a chaotic trip to the desert. After their pre-booked taxi fails to show up, three reception ladies from the hotel spontaneously drive them to the sand dunes. They climb the dunes in 42°C heat at 9:30 PM, a pure act of willpower, to watch an absolutely stunning sunset. The summary focuses on the unique blend of extreme climate, authentic local food, and the spontaneous, kind-hearted help from locals that makes the trip memorable. It captures the personal insight that even the most foolish ideas, like visiting the hottest place in China in summer, can lead to the most rewarding experiences.
