Shanshan Airport — Shanshan, China

Shanshan Airport (SXJ) serves Shanshan County in the Turpan region of Xinjiang, China, one of the hottest and driest parts of the country. Built to support the arid Turpan Depression, the airport primarily handles short domestic routes connecting Shanshan to regional hubs such as Urumqi. Its runway and terminal are modest in scale, reflecting the sparse population of the surrounding desert landscape. SXJ plays a role in opening up tourism to nearby historical sites along the ancient Silk Road, including Turpan's grape valleys and Gaochang ruins. Passenger volumes remain low compared to larger Chinese airports, and flight frequency depends heavily on seasonal tourist demand. The facility is operated under China's civil aviation authority and continues to see gradual infrastructure upgrades.