Turpan was the Chinese oasis city whose historical kingdom was called Gaochang.
Turpan lies in a depression in Xinjiang and became an important stop on northern routes around the Taklamakan Desert. Its arid climate and fertile oasis supported agriculture, especially grapes, while its position connected China with Central Asia. The nearby ancient city of Gaochang served as a political and commercial center for successive states.
The region is also famous for the karez, or qanat, irrigation system. Underground channels carried water from foothills to fields and settlements, making intensive agriculture possible in an exceptionally dry environment. The city’s caves and nearby sites preserve Buddhist art and manuscripts associated with the wider Silk Road world.
Turpan and Gaochang are related but not identical names. Gaochang refers primarily to the ancient city and historical kingdom, while Turpan is the modern city and surrounding region. This distinction matters because sources may use either name when discussing the same broader oasis landscape.