A surprisingly large and well-presented museum in central Turpan, holding most of the major archaeological finds from Gaochang, Jiaohe and the Astana Tombs that have not been shipped out of the region. Highlights include Tang-era silks, Han-period mummies, Sogdian-script documents, and a small but excellent dinosaur fossil hall.
Air-conditioned, free entry (passport required at the door), and a useful refuge from the midday heat between desert excursions. Allow 90 minutes to two hours.