Urumqi - the most inland city in the world
Last Update: 17th October 2020
Urumqi is located in the northwest of China and in the middle of Xinjiang. It is situated in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent. It lies at the northern foot of the northern Tianshan Mountains and in the southern part of the Junggar Basin. Urumqi features various rare plants, animals and unique Uighur folk customs.
Urumqi Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Wu lu Mu Qi (乌鲁木齐)
- Area: 14,216 square kilometers
- Things to do there: Photography, Silk Road History, Adventure, Uighur Culture, Geology
- Who visits: Photographers, Silk Road History and Culture Learners, Adventure Enthusiasts, Geologists
- Time required: 2 – 3 x days
What to expect in Urumqi
Since the Neolithic period, Urumqi has been a settlement for human beings. If you would like to enjoy the natural beauty of Urumqi, it is recommended that you explore Tianshan Mountains which is home to rare wildlife and plants, such as snow leopards, black storks, golden eagles, red deer, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, Ferula asafetida, sweet clover, etc. Tianshan Tianchi National Park is a paradise for photographers.
If you are interested in geology, Xinjiang Geology and Mineral Resources Museum offers a great chance to you. At the museum, you will see the specimen of 127 types of useful minerals discovered in Xinjiang, including high quality minerals – lithium, mica, asbestos, chromite, nitratine, mirabilite, gulch-gold, Manas jasper and the like.
People’s Park of Urumqi is the place where you could find the lifestyle of locals. The park was originally built in 1883. It is dotted with several pavilions. If you want to experience the local life, it is suggested that you explore the Grand Bazaar where you will find a variety of local goods. It is the largest Bazaar in the world. In the evening, you could also enjoy Uighur performance at the Bazaar.
If you are interested in the folk customs of the ethnic minorities who live in Xinjiang and Xinjiang’s history, you could visit Xinjiang Regional Museum where the instruments, daily necessities and yurts are on display. In addition, you will also find the well-preserved mummies at the museum.
Best time to visit in Urumqi
As it is the hottest in August in Urumqi and very cold from November to March, it is suggested that you visit Turpan in other months.
How to get to Urumqi
There are several airplanes to Urumqi from the main cities around China, such as Guangzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xi’an. There are many trains to Urumqi from Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Xining, Zhangye, Lanzhou etc. Please get to Turpan by air or by train based on your schedule.
Additional Urumqi Travel Advice
- The Bazaar in the countryside always opens from 10am to 20pm while the Bazaar in the city opens from 15pm to 24pm.
- The Bazaar is just available for one day during the week. Some Bazaars open on Friday.
- Admission fee: free
- Please take care of your valuables at the Bazaar.
- Please wear the sunscreen cream, sunglasses and the like to stop the strong sunlight shining your body directly in the dry weather.
- Please take enough warm clothes with you even in summer as the temperature difference is big between the daytime and the evening in Turpan.
- If you have bargained for the goods at the Bazaar, you’d better purchase it or the vendors won’t be happy.
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Urumqi, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.