Turpan Jiaohe Airport — Turpan, China

Turpan Jiaohe Airport lies in the arid Turpan Depression of Xinjiang, China, one of the hottest and lowest-elevation regions in the country. TLQ was built to open this historically significant Silk Road oasis city to domestic air travel, reducing dependence on long overland journeys across the desert. The airport takes its name from the nearby ancient ruined city of Jiaohe, a UNESCO-recognized archaeological site that draws visitors interested in Silk Road history. Flights primarily link Turpan to Urumqi and other major Xinjiang cities, supporting tourism tied to the region's grape vineyards, ancient irrigation channels, and desert landscapes. Despite modest passenger volumes, TLQ plays an outsized role in regional connectivity given the harsh surrounding terrain.