Tuyugou valley, Oasis valley with vineyards and Buddhist cave art in Shanshan County, China

Tuyoq is an ancient oasis village in a narrow green valley cut into the Flaming Mountains, 70 km east of Turpan in Shanshan County. The valley floor holds vineyards of oval seedless grapes, and nearby Buddhist meditation caves contain murals and frescos.

The valley was once a significant waypoint on the Silk Road where artists and pilgrims left traces in cave murals and structures across centuries. This artistic legacy shows how the location served as a meeting place for different civilizations and beliefs.

Tuyoq village keeps an old Uyghur layout of flat-roofed earthen houses, and from the 14th century it became a Muslim pilgrimage site. Its name is also written Tuyuk or Tuyugou. Vineyards of oval seedless grapes surround the houses, and pilgrims still come to the shrines in the valley.

The valley is best explored by vehicle or taxi since walking routes are limited and attractions are spread across the terrain. Starting early in the day helps you avoid heat and allows sufficient time to visit the different sites without rushing.

Tuyoq became a Muslim pilgrimage site from the 14th century, after the region's shift from Buddhism to Islam. The village was probably a stop on the Silk Road, and the Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves lie about 15 km to the northwest.