Hongshan Park, Urumqi

One Day Tour of Urumqi - Asian Center - Hongshan Park - Hantenggeli Mosque - People's Theater 
 
As known to all, Urumqi has been the transport hub on north branch of Silk Road since the ancient times. Meanwhile, it is the world's farthest city away from ocean and the center of the Asian Continent. Today we will guide you to visit the Asian Center in the surrounding village and some interesting places in the city area.

In the morning, drive for 30 kilometers to Asian Center in the Baojia Caozi Village in Yongfeng County. Some section of the road there is under construction with poor condition at present, we kindly suggest you charter a private car for the visit. Hereunder is the information of a local Vehicle Rental Company: Da Mo Feng Vehicle Rental Company (Address: Suite 822, Ze Pu Business Hotel, Urumqi, Xinjiang; Telephone: 86-991-8789396) and the Ou Lan De Vehicle Rental Company (Address: No. 18, Cangfanggou Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang; Telephone: 86-991-5890226). If you charter a taxi, it will take about 200-250RMB. In 1992, through precise measurement by geographical experts, geographical center of Asian Continent was confirmed near Urumqi and a cenotaph was set up according to the measurement. Called "Asian Center" cordially by common people, consequently, Urumqi is called "Capital of Asian Center". As there is no good restaurant on the way, we suggest you drive back to the down town to have lunch.

Hantenggeli Mosque, Urumqi

After lunch, continue the tour to Hongshan Park (Address: No. 2, Hongshan Road, Shayibake District, Urumqi, Xinjiang; Entrance fee: free of charge). As the symbol of Urumqi City, the Hongshan Park is built around the nine-storageZhen Long Pagoda on the top of the 1391-meter-high mountain called Hongshan. Built in Yuan Dynasty (122-1367 A.D), the 25-meter Pagoda is well preserved. It is said that the top of the hill is the ideal place to view the whole city or take wonderful pictures. Besides the pagoda, the lake at the foot of the mountain, there are some amusement facilities and a temple on the half way. In summer, you may see many local people walking, chatting, enjoying the cool, playing cards, fishing and boating in the park. If you want to visit the first bridge above the Urumqi River, just go out of the park from the south gate. The Xida (Grand West) Bridge was first built in 1763 by the Qing Government and finally reconstructed by Urumqi Government in 2006. It got the name as it is located in the west area of the city. Take taxi to the Hantenggeli Mosque. It is located at the southwest corner of the South Gate so that it is also called the "Great South Gate Mosque". Its construction began in 1882 and reconstruction in 1902. Different from other mosques, the Hantenggeli Mosque has four flours with two flours under the ground and two flours above the ground. You will be surprised to find that the underground flours are bustling stores offering goods and commodities with folk customs. While going to the upper flours, you will be shocked by the devout disciple of Muslimism in the sober mosque. If interested, you may walk to the nearby People's Theater with a mixture construction style of Central Asian Muslim. Maybe it is amusive for you to see a movie in such a beautiful cinema in a stranger county. The full day tour is finished. Have a good rest this night.