Ürümqi

Ürümqi, the capital of China's Xinjiang region, sits 2,300 km from the nearest ocean, making it the world's most inland major city. Walk through the International Grand Bazaar's blue-tiled domes and minarets, climb the rust-colored slopes of Red Mountain, or take a boat ride on Heavenly Lake, surrounded by the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains. You can fly directly to Ürümqi from major Asian and European cities, making it an accessible starting point for exploring Xinjiang.

Getting to Ürümqi

Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport connects the city with Beijing, Shanghai, and international destinations including Moscow, Istanbul, and Almaty. The high-speed rail network links Ürümqi to Lanzhou in 12 hours, with connections to Xi'an and Beijing. Within the city, the Ürümqi Metro opened in 2018, with Line 1 running through major commercial and residential areas.

Weather and Timing Your Visit

Temperatures vary significantly between day and night throughout the year. Visit between May and October for temperatures between 15-25°C and minimal rainfall. In winter, temperatures drop below freezing, and you can ski at the Silk Road Ski Resort. Summer days reach 30°C with low humidity.

Exploring the Grand Bazaar

The International Grand Bazaar on Jiefang Road has blue-tiled domes and geometric patterns typical of Central Asian architecture. You'll walk through corridors lined with shops selling dried figs, almonds, saffron, silk scarves, and dutar instruments. After 6 PM, food vendors set up stalls along the surrounding streets.

Parks and Mountains

Walking paths wind up Hong Shan (Red Mountain), leading to several spots where you can look out over the city. Benches and gardens fill the surrounding Hongshan Park. At People's Park, south of Hongshan, locals practice tai chi in the morning and play chess in the afternoon. Stop at one of the wooden tea houses or visit during April to see the tulip gardens.

Day Trips to Heavenly Lake

Heavenly Lake lies in a crater of the Bogda Mountains, 70 km east of Ürümqi. The lake's surface mirrors the white peaks of the Tian Shan range. Take the 9:00 AM bus from People's Park to reach the lake. A 4-km trail circles part of the shoreline, and boat tours run from June to September.

Local Food Scene

In the streets around the Grand Bazaar, you'll find Uyghur restaurants serving hand-pulled laghman noodles, lamb kebabs grilled with cumin, and fresh naan bread baked in clay ovens. Visit the night markets near Erdaoqiao to try grilled meats, walnuts, raisins, and yogurt drinks.

Museums and Culture

The Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum displays Silk Road artifacts, including 3,000-year-old mummies and bronze-age textiles. At Xinjiang University's central campus, you can see buildings from the 1950s Soviet era alongside modern academic facilities, and visit the library containing manuscripts in Uyghur, Mandarin, Russian, and Arabic.