Urumqi Attractions

Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake

 Silk Road
 Heavenly Lake
 Red Hill

 Kanas Nature Reserve & Hemu Village
 Keketuohai National Park
 Southern Mosque and Shaanxi Mosque
 Southern Pasture
 Tartar Mosque and Qinghai Mosque
 Tian Shan Mountains
 Tianshan Grand Canyon
 Xinjiang Regional Museum
 Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar

The tourist treasures of Urumqi outshine those of many other provinces and cities. As an important strategic locale in the ancient Silk Road and the gathering place of historic East-West exchanges, it is home to numerous cultural relics and historic treasures. Thirteen main ethnic minorities offer souvenirs of their enduring colorful customs. Located in the heartland of Eurasia, its unique location and natural environment form an enchanting picture alluring visitors from home and abroad.
 

Red Hill Park
Red Hill

One of the landmarks of the city is Red Hill with its emerald greenery, pagoda, and shrines. The hill rocks are reddish-brown, hence the name Red Hill. Historical sites on the hill once included the Ebo (stone cairn used by tribesmen to worship and sacrifice to their gods) built by the nomadic Oyrat Tribe; and the Temple of the Jade Emperor and the Temple of the Great Buddha built in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). These splendid temples attracted swarms of visitors and made the hill a holy place where worshipers chanted Buddhist sutras and conducted religious ceremonies. Unfortunately, almost all the buildings were destroyed during the war, leaving only the pagoda at the top. Today, local people regard the hill as the symbol of the city.

People's Park, also called 'the park for sharing happiness', is on the west bank of the Urumqi River. It was originally a stretch of marshland and lakes surrounded by luxuriant centuries-old trees. Now it is a scenic, tree-shaded park with pavilions and a lake where you can hire a rowboat. The best time to visit is in the morning when local people exercise.
 

Xinjiang Regional Museum
Xinjiang Regional Museum

Xinjiang Regional Museum located in the downtown area since 1953, displays archaeological treasures and local relics from the Silk Road. Cultural relics excavated on the ancient Silk Road include silk, pottery, porcelain, terra-cotta figures, weapons, scriptures, even some mummies discovered in the vast desert. In addition, articles from various ethnic groups are shown. These include clothing, household utensils, handicrafts, hunting tools, and musical instruments, as well as a Uygur house and various yurts.

The most famous landscape gem near Urumqi is Heavenly Lake (also named Tianchi Lake), particularly refreshing to visitors arriving in the city from the barren Xinjiang deserts or from China's granite cities. A moraine lake hemmed in by majestic snow-crowned peaks west of Bogda Mountain, Tianchi is 3,400 meters (11,125 feet) long, 1,500 meters (4920 feet) wide, 1,980 meters (6494 feet) above sea level. The pristine scene is stunning. A one-day tour usually consists of a boat ride on the lake, or a ride or walk along the lakeshore.

Southern Pasture is an area at the northern foot of Karawuquntag Mountain 75 kilometers (46 miles) south of Urumqi. One of the most spectacular spots here is the West White Poplar Gully. Traveling through this narrow verdant gully is a unique experience for sightseers who love snowcapped peaks, waterfalls, dragon-spruce trees and wild flowers. An ideal place for an excursion, visitors can take a horseback adventure guided by local Kazakhs.

 
Southern Pasture
Southern Pasture
Qinghai Mosque
Qinghai Mosque
In Urumqi, there are ten ethnic minorities practicing Islam. It boasts 263 mosques now. The famous ones include Tartar Mosque and Qinghai Mosque and Southern Mosque and Shaanxi Mosque. Tartar mosque is the center for peaceful Islamic activities in the city. And Southern Mosque is an important historic heritage site. This center of Moslem worship was built in 1919 and subsequently renovated on three different occasions.

Attraction around Urumqi: Kanas Nature Reserve boasts a beautiful natural ecosystem formed by lakes, rivers, glaciers, forests and grasslands.

 You may like: Top 10 Things to Do in Urumqi

- Last updated on Apr. 12, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Urumqi Attractions
Asked by Gilbert from MALAYSIA | Dec. 30, 2019 14:32Reply
Which part to go ski? Urumqi or xinjiang?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita from CANADA | Jan. 01, 2020 17:39
00Reply


You can go to Silk Road International Ski Resort, which is located at Nanshan scenic area, Urumqi.
Asked by Rieng | Aug. 14, 2019 08:37Reply
Nanshan in October
1. Which bus station is the best for going to Nanshan if I stay near Urumqi south railway? bus station south of People's Park is still available?
2. Where do buses stop at Nanshan? Is it main gate?
3. Cost of bus ticket?
4. Temperature at Nanshan in late October?
Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Bray from USA | Aug. 18, 2019 19:26
00Reply


You need to take bus from Coach Station, which is located at No.62, Hetian Street. The ticket fare is CNY15. The bus will stop at the main gate of scenic area. The temperature will be 15-20C.
Asked by Eric Tan from SINGAPORE | Aug. 12, 2019 03:19Reply
Hi Please advise are there buses that travel by day from Aksu to Hotan
As I want to see the Taklamakan Desert in the day and also are the hotel in Aksu and Hotan accept foreigners. Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia from CANADA | Aug. 13, 2019 18:58
00Reply


Yes, you can take bus from Aksu Coach Station and the bus departs at 13:30 and 16:30 every day. Some hotels can accept foreigners while some not.
Asked by Jitraporn K from THAILAND | May. 08, 2019 22:47Reply
I'm planning to travel Urumqi (kanas lake and heaven lake) on mid-September.
How long does it take you to get from Urumqi city area to Kanas Lake?
How long does it take you to get from Urumqi city area to Heaven Lake?
How can I go there by bus or plane ?

Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Dave from USA | May. 09, 2019 19:05
00Reply


1. If you travel by bus, you need to take a coach from Urumqi high-speed railway bus station to Burqin. There are 2 buses departing at 11:10 and 20:10. It takes about 7-8 hours and the bus fare is CNY180.
After that, hire a private car to Kanas and it takes about 400-500 per day. The duration is about 3-4 hours. There may be bus available in peak seasons.

If travel by plane, the direct flights from Urumqi only opens in peak seasons (about June to October ) and it takes about 2 hours to get. In other days, you can take a flight from Urumqi to Altay airport and then hire a private car to kanas. It takes about 5-6 hours.

2. It takes about 1.5 hours to take bus from Urumqi North Bus Station to Heaven Lake. The bus departs at 9:30 and 10:30.
Asked by Ali from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 03, 2018 10:15Reply
Urumqi and Tibet, can someone please advise me
I will be in Beijing in October. I also want to go to Urumqi and Tibet, can someone please advise me as to how I should go to Urumqi and Tibet.
Answers (1)
Answered by Jim from FINLAND | Sep. 03, 2018 22:58
00Reply


You are suggested to take a flight directly. Although there are trains from BJ to the two cities, it takes about 40 hours and it's a too long journey.
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