Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.
The temperature in Urumqi widely ranges between day and night as it belongs to the semi-arid continental climate of middle temperate zone. The climate is extremely arid due to long period of sunlight and bare precipitation. It has shorter spring and autumn; and longer winter and summer. May to October is the golden season for traveling to Urumqi, when flowers are in full bloom and the fruits, like melons, are ripe with its fragrance. Here we should indicate that there are two hours time difference between Xinjiang and Beijing. The local working time is usually from 09:30 or 10:00. You had better not start your travel plan before 08:00 in the morning since it is still dark at that time.
Tourist resources of Urumqi have its own advantages and distinctions, which are strategically important in the ancient Silk Road that assembles the cultures of both eastern and western countries. The most famous tourist spots among the numerous cultural relics and natural landscapes include the Heavenly Lake, the Southern Pastures, the Red Hill, the Southern Mosque, the Tartar Mosque, and the Xinjiang Regional Museum.
In recent years, the city of Urumqi has continuously developed its economy, industry, culture as well as tourism and transportation. More choices for accommodation and dining, ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels and from western restaurants to the local food street have been established. Nightlife in Urumqi provides multiple-range of choices such as watching the ethnic sing-and-dance show, tasting native delicacies in the night market, or simply hanging out in bars. Coming to Urumqi will not let you return to your country empty-handed. Shopping in the International Grand Bazaar is a pleasant experience. Bargain hunting for handicraft souvenirs such as rugs, carpets, Uygur-style hats, knitted sweaters, ethnic costumes, hand-made embroideries and jade carvings, will definitely draw your intense interest.
Recommended Urumqi Package Tours:
Urumqi and Kashgar: 6 days Silk Road Trip of Urumqi and Kashgar Recommended tours with the visit to Urumqi:
Classical Silk Road: 14 days, Beijing, Urumqi, Kashgar, Turpan, Dunhuang and other cities
Silk Road In-depth: 22 days to Beijing, Urumqi, Xian, Shanghai and other cities More Urumqi Tour Information:
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Urumqi for your reference
Golf Tour: Detailed information about Golf Tour of Urumqi
Bicycle Tours: Offer information about cycling in and around Urumqi
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Travelers' Voices on Urumqi City
1.
Oct. 27,2009 15:33 Reply
Mr.Radeos(Saudi Arabia) said:
I have been in china for the last five years & I have graduated from Zhengzhou university..
I might go to urumqi for my postgraduate but I know nothing about the city , people & the life there ,,well
I travelled almost everywhere in china but unluckly not xinjiang ..
so i need some help from you friends to explain the daily life there, is it same as anywhere in china?
and what is your advices & tips for me as person going spend a long time there, surely not less than three years at least ;-)
you can send me an Email or even call me on my mobile number in china 1509314793
I will thankfull to you
2.
Oct. 11,2009 11:05 Reply
Ms.Joyce(Singapore) said:
How is the weather like say around 5- 15 November? Is the scenery dull & weather too cold by then? What is thes best time to visit? thks")
Oct. 12,2009 23:20
Mr.Sandy replied:
The average temperature is -5C in Urumqi' November. So, at that time, if it snows, the temperature will be -7 to -9C. Summer (July, August and September) is the best time to visit Urumqi.
3.
Aug. 31,2009 22:37 Reply
Mr.David(Ireland) said:
Hi All,
I will be arrriving in Urumqi on 10 Sept. Is it possible to make phone calls to other parts of China from there? I know the internet is down, but what about internal phone lines, also how safe is now. I am going anyway but I would just like to know. Thanks.
David
Sep. 2,2009 22:23
Mr.Sandy replied:
It is quiet and safe at that moment, or you can consider to take part in a package tour. Visitors are fewer than before, so the stuffs are cheaper. Not a bad idea. For more, you can choose to travel north line of Xinjiang.
Oct. 10,2009 01:34
Mr.muhammad(china) replied:
you can make phone calls !!and it is very safety at that moment.
4.
Sep. 4,2009 20:04 Reply
Ms.SL chan(Malaysia) said:
Hi , I am going to Urumqi on 7th and today I heard about the demonstration and story about the trouble over in Urumqi, is that safe still to travel there alone. My plan is to visit urumqi for 3 days and then travel to Turpan by train. But I have not book any hotel and train yet. Can I do it when I am there, I heard the internet service is down now, how do I book the train ticket to Turpan and book the hotel. Desparately need advice, please reply as soon as possible.
5.
Sep. 1,2009 02:52 Reply
Mr.CRAIG(AUSTRALIA) said:
I HAVE JUST ARIVED HOME AFTER VISITING URUMQI , I MET MY FUTURE WIFE THERE , THE PLACE WAS LOVELY , I ENJOYED MY STAY , MY FIANCEE WAS LOVELY AND ALSO HER FAMILY TOO . I LOVED ALMOST EVERY DISH I TRIED , THE FOOD WAS LOVELY AND NOT EXPENCIVE . CHEEP TAXI'S AND GOOD SIGHTS TO SEE NOT TO FAR FROM THE CITY .. I WILL CERTANLY REVISIT , NOT ONLY FOR MY LOVE BUT THE EXPERIENCE ITSELF ..
6.
Aug. 21,2009 08:22 Reply
Mr.Wong(Malaysia) said:
Hi, to prpeare for my travel to Urumqi in middle September 2009, would appreciate advice on the weather, wind, rain fall and type of clothing suitable during this period. My travel destinations includes Turpan, Dunhuang and then to Xian, all by road.
Thank you
Aug. 22,2009 10:24
Mr.Zhang(China) replied:
The Urumqi day and nights temperature difference is quite big, summer generally between 14 degrees to 30 degrees.The air is quite dry.
Aug. 23,2009 13:15
Ms.nancy(USA) replied:
Best time in urumqi is Augest. Winter there is very very bad(air).
7.
Feb. 28,2009 23:31 Reply
Mr.KIMEP(KAZAKHSTAN) said:
I was in urumqi at the winter, i didnt like this place. There was very dirty ,and staff at hotels very rude and they dont know english language. Service is not good enough. Please imrpove your services at the hotels.
May. 10,2009 21:34
Mr.Lee(China) replied:
I'm really sorry to hear that. Actually, Urumqi is a rather beautiful place,and the people there are quite friendly and helpful. It is a little bit dirty in the center of the city in winter, that's because they have to use coal to support the heating system. I don't know which hotel you stayed, but the services are quite good for most of the hotels. Probably, I can recommend you some good hotels if you go there next time.
Jun. 26,2009 09:06
Mrs.Li(China) replied:
Actually, maybe you are right, cause you saw the real face of Urumqi. im sorry about that, if you just live in a middle level hotel,not three ,four or five stars hotels, maybe the situation and services are lower than you thought.but afterall,Xinjiang is not a very wealthy city, but it's a very valuable palce to travel, i promise. you konw, the prople are enthusiasm and pure.not too much artificial. i love Xinjiang, not only because i lived there for several years, but also its special feeling give you passion and pure things. its not like Shanghai,which is very commercial so that makes you feel cold. Now, im studying in Shanghai international school.
Jul. 7,2009 15:17
Mrs.Mason(UK) replied:
I went to Urumqi in 2004 and had a fabulous time. Loved the people, loved the markets, loved the food.
It needed an ATM in those days. Maybe one has arrived, now
Aug. 23,2009 13:08
Ms.fareda(USA) replied:
Hi There,
Whar is the reason that you want future wife from Xinjiang? Are you uighur ? Thanks and have a good day.
Fareda
8.
Aug. 15,2009 01:54 Reply
Mr.John Rand(USA) said:
Hello,
As an American I really liked Urumqi. We adopted our daughter from there and found the Chinese officials very nice, given the circumstances. The food was excellent and very, very well priced. Communication was difficult; no internet and calling the USA was possible, but tough with PANDA phone.
Aug. 22,2009 10:20
Mr.Zhang(China) replied:
After July 6, Urumqi has blocked the network temporarily, believed that this question will solve probably about October.
9.
Aug. 6,2009 04:14 Reply
Mr.Loong(Malaysia) said:
Hi, my group of 20 paxs are sceduled to arrive in Urumqi on 12 Sept. 2009. Until today, my travel agents told us that they couldn't be in contact with the Urumqi local ground arrangement agentto finalise our travel arrangement. It is said that telecommunication is barred from Xinjiang with the outside world? is this true?
How save is it for us as tourists from Malaysia ("Han") in Xinjiang particularly, the scenic spots in and around Urumqi like Tianchi and Turpan?
An honest view on the situation will be greatly apprecaited. TQ
Aug. 6,2009 16:22
Mr.garbett(england) replied:
Hi, yes it is true that the telephone and internet from urumqi are suspended due to the problems that curently are going on in the city i got married in urumqi to a girl from urumqi last year she now lives in the uk with me but for one month she has not been able to speak to her family in urumqi as far as is it safe to be in the city the worst part is over there is a strong police and militry presence in the city at the moment so you will not see urumqi as it realy is ?as security is rather tight at the moment but the people are frendly and there is lots of intresting places to see heavenly lake in the winter is some thing else with the snow on the mountins and thick ice on the lake i hope you like hot food as urumqi food is a bit on the hot side (spicy hot) i went to urumqi 3 times last year for 3 months loved the place unfortunatly we will not be going back this year as i bought a house in the uk but next year i will be back again and ime very much looking forward to that
good place nice people good selection of shops meany resturants fantastic out door bbq from april to september in the new squere
Aug. 7,2009 06:55
Mr.Redwood(Australia) replied:
Mr Loong,
I revisiting china and Early next month will return to tour more of xinjaing. I have contacted my travel agent and they advised thet outside communication by phone and emails will not be back to normal till after the October 1st celebrations. So good luck.
10.
Apr. 24,2009 07:28 Reply
Mr.Hannigan(Australia) said:
Hello! I will be visiting Urumqi in July! I currently reside in China in Shandong as i am a teacher here! I Would like to say to the lady Mrs Camp that if you dont like the comforts of another country and how things are done in that country will i would suggest to you stay in your country of Ameica since it is such a perfect place! I will be in Urumqi and whether its good or bad or completely to my comforts i will ajust because in the end we are visiting another country! I have travelled to many countries around the world and i am in China now and yes things are different but we adapt to the situation we are in! I would also suggest to you that when turning up late at a airport make sure you leave early as these things happen! We are not in America or my country of Australia we are in China and if you are dissapointed in coming to a country and it doesnt live up to your expectations then i suggest you go to Didneyland in your country then us real travel people dont have to put up with whinging. I can garuntee that i know that i will love Urumqi the same as i love my girlfriend from there!
May. 20,2009 21:30
Mr.cheng(Canada ) replied:
i wish you a very joyful trip to urumqi! there are many major attractions that are a must see. blessings be with you!
May. 27,2009 10:16
Mr.G(China) replied:
You could find many beautiful places in Xinjiang . Some of them are little far away from Urumqi~
have a good trip~
Ps:welcome to my hometown ~ ^.^
Jul. 10,2009 18:22
Mr.Ucak(USA) replied:
I currently live in the U.S.A,
How Can I meet potential future wife in the Xinjiang area ? are there any web sites I can check out ??