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Home → China Tours → Silk Road Tours → Urumqi Travel Guide

Urumqi Travel Guide

Location: Urumqi city is near the northern route of the Silk Road, at west of Bogda Mountain and southeastern edge of Junggar Basin.

Population: 1,850,000

Area: 10,902 square kilometers

Nationalities: Han, Uygur, Han, Hui, Mongolia, Kazakstan, etc.

History: Urumqi, which means 'beautiful pastures' in Mongolian is not a city with a very long history of significance. During the Tang dynasty, it was merely an en-route stop to the administrative center of the region at Jimusar. In 1884, Urumqi became the capital of Xinjiang.

Climate: Urumqi belongs to semiarid continental climate of middle temperate zone, temperate difference between day and night; shorter spring and autumn and longer winter and summer; frost-free period of 179 days and 2821 hours sunlight annually. The grape harvest season, namely July, August and September, is the best time for tourists to visit.

Transportation: Urumqi has flights for the main big and medium-sized cities in China.
You can take trains departing at Urumqi Station for Beijing (West), Shanghai, Lanzhou, Chongqing, Haikou, Urumqi, etc. Trains from Chengdu to Wuxi, Xi’an to Kuitun all stop at Urumqi Station. In addition, Urumqi has direct trains for Korla, Usu, Alataw Pass and Kashi. Urumqi Nianzigou Long-distance Bus Station has coaches for all places in Xinjiang.

Local Specialties: Uygur embroidered hat, Yengisar’s small knife, Uygur instrument, Xinjinag’s carpet, beautiful jade, cantaloupe, Aksu’s apricot, Turpan’s grape, snow lotus, cashmere sweater of “Tianshan” brand, walnut, megranate and Korla’s fragrant pear

Local Food: Mutton Cubes Roasted on a Skewer, Roasted Whole Sheep, Rice Eaten by Band, Grape of Horse’s Mammilla Shape, Steamed Stuffed Bun with Thin Skin, Local Gigot, Mutton Eaten by Hand, Youtazi, Pancake of Wheat of Corn Flour, Oil Fried Wheatern Food and Niangpizi

Major Attractions:
Southern Pastures – Covering an area of 119 sq km, the Southern Pastures are hugely popular with visitors as well as being the natural summer retreat of Urumqi people. The highlight of the Southern Pastures must be the West White Poplar Gully. Walking in the gully, visitors can appreciate the snow-capped mountains decorated by tall, straight firs whilst horses and cows browse leisurely on the green grassland.



Xinjiang Regional Museum – The Xinjiang Regional Museum is a large integrated museum and center for the collection and study of cultural relics in Xinjiang. The building is in a Uigur Style, the internal décor having strong ethnic features. In total there are over 50,000 items in the collection. These not only represent the ethnic lifestyle and humanity of the region but also illustrate its revolutionary spiri.



Tianchi – Also known as “Jade Lake”, this crescent-shaped lake deserves its name, pearl of Tianshan (Heavenly Mountain).With melted snow as its source, Tianchi enjoys crystal water. Boaters on the lake see the ever-changing slivery mountains soaring into the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild flowers. In summer, the beautiful lake is an ideal cool resort.



Urumqi International Bazaar – Also Also locally called "Erdaoqiao Bazaar", located at No.160 Shengli Street of Urumqi city, it boasts a total area of 100,000 square meters, largest bazaar in the world. Urumqi International Bazaar is a must see for any person who can not see any other part of Xinjiang. In short, it is a picture of the local market. Here you'll be able to buy rugs, knives, instruments, hats...you name it. You'll probably get ripped off, but that's beside the point.

Travel Tip:
1. Do not shake water off your wet hands in public.
2. Do not eat port and speak about pigs in Muslim’s presence.
3. Respect the local customs and habit.
4. Protect yourselves against the elements in all seasons. Be careful about your drinking water, boil it first.
5. Do not drink hot tea after eating fruits to avoid diarrhea.

Questions & Answers: