Tourists pose for photos next to a statue of Monkey King, a character of the 16th-century Chinese novel "Journey to the West", in the Flaming Mountains Scenic Area in Turpan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, April 6, 2014.(Photo/Xinhua)
Out of the past 2,006 days from Jan 1, 2012, to June 30, 2017, the temperature reached 35 C or above on 616 days in Turpan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
To take advantage of such climatic and geographical conditions, the locals have created special industries such as sand therapy and high temperature test of cars, boosting the area's tourism and economic development.
In summer, the temperature in Turpan reaches over 40 C. On the surface of the sand dunes, it hits 80 C.
Sand therapy, also called sand burying therapy, is a comprehensive treatment combining the effect of heat, massage and magnetic treatments. It cures some chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemiplegia, high blood pressure and neurasthenia.
Turpan has built sand therapy centers such as Sand Therapy Health Center, Shanshan Desert Park and Rukqin Sand Therapy Center.
In summer, many tourists are attracted to this area. People lie or sit under colorful sunshades, or bury themselves in the sand and drink hot teas to dissipate perspiration.
The locals have also built hotels and restaurants to make tourists feel more comfortable.
The extreme climatic and geographical conditions in Turpan also make the area a perfect place for "high temperature test" of various products.
Long Yanping, an official with Turpan's Quality and Technology Supervision Bureau, said Turpan has become a major base of "high temperature test of cars", according to Banyuetan, a Chinese biweekly magazine.
The time of high temperature tests runs from days to years according to requirements of different products, Long said.
Car makers used to have to go to other countries to conducts tests, but they could do the work in Turpan now.
In 2016 alone, more than 1,400 cars of over 138 companies were tested in Turpan, generating over 80 million yuan ($12 million).
