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If you are lucky enough to run into the Uygur festivals during
your trip, you will be pleasantly surprised by the special activities
as well as the table delicacies.
Grape Festival
Turpan is renowned for the quality of the fruit grown here and
the sweetness of the grapes. Just as the name implies, the grape
is the subject of the festival which is held in August each year
and lasts for a month. During the festival, you can feel the happiness
of harvest in every corner of the city. The grapes of hundreds
of varieties are ripe and hang on the vines, waiting for you to
enjoy. Amongst them, the white grape without seeds is the favourite
one and it is praised as the 'green pearl of China'. In addition
to enjoying the sweet grapes you can take in traditional Uygur
performances in the festival, such as the wedding ceremony of
Uygur and the dancing performances in Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Grape Valley is the best option for you to celebrate the festival.
Eid al Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking)
This fast is one of the five pillars of Islam and Eid al Fitr
is the first day after 30 days' fast. The festival is celebrated
on the 1st of October according to the Moslem calendar, and lasts
for three days. It is an important festival among the Moslems.
On the first morning of the festival, people gather together in
the mosque to pray. And then, they wear national costumes to call
on their relatives and friends. During the festival, people will
butcher fat stocks and cook some traditional snacks to satisfy
their stomach.
Eid al Adha (the Feast of the
Sacrifice)
The festival is on 10th December according to the Moslem calendar
and it is the last day for pilgrimage. In the early morning, all
men go to mosque to pray. It is the most important divine service
with a largest scale all year round. During the festival, each family
should slaughter a sheep, a cow or a camel. And families and friends
would gather together to sing and dance happily. Of course, they
will also enjoy a sumptuous meal together. After the meal, they
often visit the grave to honor the memory of ancestors.
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Last updated:
September 12, 2008
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