Urumqi Travel Guide: From Ancient Bazaars to Stunning Mountains
Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains and the south edge of the Junggar Basin. As the most inland city that is farthest from any ocean in the world, Urumqi is surrounded by stunning mountains, gorges, lush forests, and wild deserts, being home to multiple natural wonders.
Once an important town along the ancient Silk Road, Urumqi is now the largest city in western China, and also the best gateway to travel to Xinjiang. Since populated by diverse ethnic groups, including Han, Uygur, Kazak, and Hui, Urumqi is where cultural diversity can be discovered in every aspect, including customs, bazaars, cuisine, and various handicrafts.
- Chinese Name: 乌鲁木齐 (wū lǔ mù qí)
- Pronunciation: [uːˈruːmki]
- Altitude: About 680-920 meters above sea level.
- Population: 4,085,000 in 2023
Why Visit Urumqi?
- Diverse Ethnic Cultures: The diverse ethnic groups in Urumqi contribute to its diverse ethnic cultures. It will entertain visitors with colorful traditional clothing, tasty Xinjiang food, and a wealth of handicrafts. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the best place to experience its ethnic culture.
- Breathtaking Natural Wonders: Surrounded Urumqi are many natural wonders, including Tianshan Mountain, Heavenly Lake, Nanshan Pasture, etc. Visitors can immerse themselves in the stunning natural beauty and enjoy many exciting outdoor activities.
- Diverse Food: Each ethnic group in Urumqi contributes to its rich and diverse culinary scenery. Here visitors can experience different flavors and food cultures in one go, satisfying their stomachs with aromatic lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, pilaf, naan, and more.
- Rich Historical and Cultural Heritage: Xinjiang Silk Road Museum and Xinjiang Regional Museum in Urumqi will offer a glimpse into the region’s history and rich cultural legacy.
Top Attractions & Things to Do in Urumqi
More than a gateway to Xinjiang, Urumqi’s diverse attractions and unique experiences make it a charming destination for any Xinjiang tour. Whether you are seeking cultural diversity or otherworldly natural marvels, look no further than Urumqi.
Red Hill Park (Hongshan Park)
A landmark and also one of the largest parks in Urumqi, Red Hill Park is a popular place to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and catch great photos. The many well-preserved ancient temples, inscriptions, towers, and other architecture make it a place to look into Urumqi’s historical and cultural heritage.
Nanshan Pasture
A site to enjoy ultimate grassland delights in Urumqi, Nanshan Pasture on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains is known for its breathtaing landscapes and various outdoor activities. During your time in the pasture, you can enjoy the surrounding snow-capped mountains, forests or experience memorable horse-riding, grass skiing and hiking.
Urumqi Weather & Best Time to Visit
Urumqi has a temperate continental arid climate. Like most cities in northwest China, Urumqi experiences abundant sunshine, low precipitation, extreme dryness, and large annual and daily temperature variations.
It has four distinct seasons, summers are usually hot and short, winters are long and cold, and spring and autumn are both brief but temperature comfortable. July and August are its hottest months, with the average temperatures hovering around 25-26 °C. January is the time it experiences the lowest temperatures, averaging around -15.2°C.
Generally, the best time to visit Urumqi is from May to October. Though the hot temperatures in summer months, it is the peak season of Urumqi when it offers lush and vibrant grasslands and and most beautiful scenery of the Heavenly Lake and its surrounding areas. September to early October in the early autumn is when Urumqi offers more pleasant weather, stunning autumn scenery, and abundant fresh fruits.
Urumqi Transportation: How to Get to & Travel around
How to Get to
As the gateway to Xinjiang, Urumqi is often the first stop of any Xinjiang tour and can be well-connected through air, train, and long-distance buses.
To fly into Urumqi, you can land at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport. It offers direct flights to/from many domestic cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xian, Guangzhou, Xining, Lanzhou, Lhasa, etc., and international flights connecting Kuala Lumpur, Alma-Ata, Baku, Dushanbe, etc. Regional flights to Kashgar, Altay, Aksu, Yining, Kanas, etc. are also operated for your convenient transfer to these destinations in Xinjiang. The airport is about 16.8 kilometers from Urumqi’s downtown area, with both shuttle buses and taxis available.
As the last stop of the Lanzhou-Urumqi High-Speed Railway, Urumqi can be easily reached by high-speed trains from most destinations along the Silk Road, like Xian, Lanzhou, Zhangye, Dunhuang, etc. Intercity and regular trains connecting Urumqi and other cities in Xinjiang are also frequent, including trains to/from Kashgar, Turpan, Altay, Hotan, Hami, etc.
How to Travel Around
Traveling around the Urumqi city area and to its major attractions is generally easy thanks to its variety of transportation options. There are regular buses, Bus Rapid Transit, direct lines, etc., and one subway line covering most areas in Urumqi.
Taxis and ride-hailing are convenient and also affordable, for example, a taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs about CNY 30. Attractions in the city center, like Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, and Xinjiang Regional Museum can be reached on foot.
Recommended Urumqi Tours:
Tips for Traveling in Urumqi
- Because of the remote western location, Urumqi has a 2-hour time difference from other Chinese cities outside of Xinjiang. Locals typically start their work, breakfast, lunch, and dinner about 2 hours later than other cities.
- Wearing layers or preparing a shirt or jacket is recommended, even on summer days, given the large temperature differences between day and night.
- The UV rays in Urumqi are strong, and sun protection thus is essential. Remember to bring sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, etc.
- Many Urumqi residents adhere to Islamic dietary laws. So be mindful of avoiding pork and pork products.
- Rather than Chinese jin, kilograms are more commonly used to measure goods in Urumqi.
- Urumqi is a city with diverse ethnic groups and unique traditions, keep in mind to respect local customs.
- The nightlife in Urumqi can also be colorful. Besides strolling around the grand bazaar and enjoying local delicacies, visitors can also watch cultural performances, like the Live-Action Musical “The Kunlun Appointment”.
Accommodation in Urumqi: Where to Stay
Urumqi is no short of hotel options, offering a wide range of hotels of different luxury levels from local featured yurts and guesthouses to boutique and luxury hotels.
Staying in the city center is preferred by most tourists, ensuring more hotel and dining options, and convenient access to major attractions. International chain hotels or 4/5-star hotels, like Hilton Urumqi, Shangri-La Hotel Urumqi, and Mirage Hotel, are recommended for foreign tourists for they usually offer more comfortable accommodation experiences, and Western-style breakfasts and are mostly allowed to accept foreigners.
Accommodations near Heavenly Lake and Nanshan Pasture are simple and limited, so it’s recommended to drive back to the city center for an overnight stay after exploration.
