Pronunciation: [tˈɜːfən] (IPA) 
Turfan, also known as Turpan, is a city located in the Xinjiang region of China. The spelling of the word consists of two syllables: "tur" and "fan". The first syllable, "tur", is pronounced with a short "u" sound as in "hut", followed by an "r" sound. The second syllable, "fan", is pronounced with a short "a" as in "cat", followed by an "n" sound. Therefore, the IPA phonetic transcription of Turfan is ˈtɜr.fæn.
Turfan, also known as Turpan or Tulufan, is a city located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwestern China. It serves as the administrative center of the Turpan Prefecture. Furthermore, the word "Turfan" is often used to refer to the region of Xinjiang where the city is located.
Turfan holds great historical and cultural significance, primarily due to its location along the ancient Silk Road trade route. Historically, it has been a significant oasis town and an important cultural, commercial, and agricultural center in the region.
Geographically, Turfan is situated in a depression known as the Turfan Basin, which is characterized by an extremely arid climate and remarkably low elevation. It is known to be one of the hottest places in China, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer. Despite the harsh climate, the region has made significant advancements in agriculture and specializes in producing grapes, melons, and various other agricultural products using innovative irrigation systems.
The name "Turfan" is believed to have originated from the Mongolian term "turu" which means "a place of much water," highlighting the significance of abundant water resources in an otherwise arid region. Additionally, the city and the surrounding region are renowned for their unique cultural heritage, ancient ruins, and historical artifacts, attracting tourists and researchers from all over the world.
The word "Turfan" has its origins in the Uighur language. It is derived from the Uighur word "Turfan" or "Turpan", which means "lowland" or "fertile land". The Uighur language is a Turkic language spoken by the Uighur people in the Xinjiang region of China, where Turfan is located. Over time, the term "Turfan" has been adopted in various languages, including English, to refer to the particular geographic region.
