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.
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.
2.
Jun. 14,2009 06:01 Reply
Mr.KD Sultan(Pakistan) said:
i have not visited, urumqi, my friends leave there and they really reccomend me to visit urumqhi,after all i am from north pakistan, let me know what are the most attractions places in urumqhi and how many days is enough to go around urmuqi, waiting for ur prompt reply ,i am wakhi speaking,TAjik by cast i leave across the border on soust,i would like to visit your side of china as i have never been to china, can you advise me what are the attractions site and beautiful lakes or any things else in kashgar,and surrouding areas, waiting for your answer or you can drop me a mail or some kind of itnery for say around 12-15 days tours,in xinjian areas,thanks i hope our friends ship with china and pakistn grows more and more.see u
reply me
globalwakhinetwork@gamil.com
thanks regards
Jun. 15,2009 02:31
Mr.Andy replied:
Several attractions are not in the city center, but around the city. Take it for reference:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/xinjiang/urumqi/
As the tour, you can think about this:
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/package/urumqi.htm
Do not forget to tase the food while visiting there.
Enjoy :)
3.
Jun. 10,2009 22:38 Reply
Mr.saleem(china) said:
I want to enjoy the urumqi city with special xinjaing food . Please give me one some best price for one day tour .
two adults and two childrens
4.
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 ~ ^.^
5.
Mar. 15,2009 21:33 Reply
Mr.Samuel(China) said:
I have been Urumeqi several times. It is really a beautiful city in China. I hope you will have a chance to visit there.
May. 20,2009 21:33
Mr.cheng(canada) replied:
i had a joyful chance to visit urumqi, and i agree with you. Urumqi is truly a beautiful city and region. my trip to urumqi was surely a memorable one! Anyone who reads this comment should really go to urumqi, if you have not went. If you have already went, i would really encourage you to visit urumqi and the rest of china!
6.
May. 20,2009 21:28 Reply
Mr.cheng(Canada ) said:
this is a very nice city. i am pleased to say that i went to a five star hotel and i loved it very much. too bad it was 200 canadian dollars a night!
7.
May. 5,2009 13:16 Reply
Ms.Boncheva(China) said:
Hello, I would like to visit Urumqi and the surroundings at the end of May. I am wondering whether it's worth the 5 hour plane from Shanghai for only 3 to 4 days there. Also will the weather be warm enough? Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks.
May. 5,2009 22:23
Ms.Jennifer replied:
Yes, it is worthwhile to take a plane. It will be a long journey if you take trains, 45.5 hours. It is a waste of time,and the ticket price is over 1000 yuan for soft sleeper.
As to the weather, it is above 20C. Take a light coat with you. It may windy sometimes. Tips for you, it is two hours after Beijing time. People get to work at 10am and have lunch at 2pm and supper at 8.9pm. Foods will be weighed in kilogram. Enjoy! I want to be there someday too.
8.
Apr. 18,2009 13:00 Reply
Mr.Linthicum(USA) said:
We adopted an adorable baby girl from Urumqi. Our luck was not great as we arrived with rain, the airport was not clean. Luckily we had a guide waiting for us with a van to take us to our Hoi Tak Hotel. The staff was nice, espeically the hostess at the breakfast buffet. It took us nearly 3 days before they realized we needed a high chair for our new daughter. We spent 6 days in the motel. Their heated pool was laughable. They require everyone to wear swimcaps (but we are in new country = new rules). All in all, I did like the hotel, the staff and with the minor problems, I enjoyed the stay. I just hope next time, the weather would be better so I could see the sights.
9.
Feb. 4,2009 09:23 Reply
Mr.kashif (pakistan) said:
i was lucky,faced no problem.we visited urumqi with friends in June,2007.its very beautiful city.people are very friendly & helpful.We stayed in Sheraton hotel.we stayed fr week,enjoyed a lot.love to visit again.
10.
Jan. 1,2009 09:50 Reply
Mrs.Jeanette Camp(USA) said:
Why did you not tell me about Aviation Hotel? It is ideal for those people who are just passing through, and it has a free shuttle. If I had known about Aviation Hotel, I would not have had to wait for 15 minutes for a taxi at Tunhe Hotel, and I would not have gotten there too late for check-in, and I would not have had to pay $500 more for two more tickets to Wuhan. I only learned about this hotel after missing the plane to Wuhan and asking China Southern to book a hotel for me. They at least did that much for me.
P.S. This is my second message to you. The first was quite wordy.
Jan. 31,2009 14:18
Mr.Mike Rowthorn(U.K.) replied:
Hi Jeanette, I have posted my own notice but I just thought I would tell you I stayed one night at Aviation Hotel (a lady taxi driver took me there) and it was really good - free shuttle bus as you say and so close to the airport you can walk if you want to.
Regards, Mike.