Tourist trains will run on new routes in the next year and a half
The vast deserts in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China have become popular tourist destinations,with people flocking to experience the healing power of sand and sun to alleviate various ailments.
The city of Turpan, located 180 kilometers southeast of the regional capital Urumqi, has emerged as a major attraction. A medical center there offers comprehensive packages that include accommodation and therapy using sand and traditional Chinese herbs.
Sand therapy is a traditional healing method among the Uyghur people. In Xinjiang, hot sand has long been combined with other methods to treat joint pain, improve blood circulation, and enhance sleep quality.
Specialists in Uyghur medicine from Shanshan County, where the medical center is located, offer their guests sand baths,with the surface temperature of the sand reaching 50°C. Before the procedure, olive oil is applied to the affected areas,and then a special pit is prepared where the person lies. The combination of sunlight, dry heat, pressure, and magnetic force is used to alleviate severe pain from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cervical spondylosis.
Sand therapy is considered more beneficial than hot compresses, and patients experience no discomfort.
Outdoor therapy typically begins after 5:30 PM to avoid heatstroke. In the mornings and evenings, therapy is conducted indoors using heated sand mixed with traditional Chinese herbs or salts. Sessions usually last between 15 and 30 minutes.
According to local authorities, approximately 55,000 people underwent treatment in June and July of this year, generating tourism revenue of about 8 million yuan ($1.13 million).
