Urumqi Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent. This multinational city has a population of 1.5 million. There are thirteen nationalities living in the city, including the Uygur, Han, Hui, Kazak, Manchu, Mongol, Xibe, and Russian.
What to see
Red Hill
Red Hill is a symbol of Urumqi, owing to its uniqueness. The body of the mountain, made up of aubergine rock, has a reddish brown color, hence, the name Red Hill. The hill is 1.5km (0.93miles) long and 1km (0.62miles) wide from east to west.
Less than 1km away, Yamalike Hill stands facing Red Hill. Legend has it that in ancient times a red dragon fled from Heavenly Lake and the Heavenly Empress caught him and sliced him in two with her sword. Later on, a hill was formed by each half of the dragon. The western hill is Yamalike Hill and the eastern one is Red Hill. The sword turned into the Urumqi River. Oddly enough, topographic pictures tell us the two hills were once one and were separated into two parts due to stratum rupture.
Eventually, ancient legend affected real life. In 1785 and 1786, floods hit Urumqi causing much destruction. Rumors arose that Red Hill and Yamalike Hill were growing closer and closer together. Once they met, the Urumqi River between the two hills would be blocked and the city would become flooded as the water rose. Therefore, in 1788 Shang An, the highest military officer, ordered the Zhen Long (in Chinese, to subdue the dragon) Pagodas built on both hills. These two pagodas were made of gray brick, 10.5- meter (34.4-foot)-high with six sides, nine stories, and an octagonal roof.
Today, Red Hill has been developed into the beautiful Red Hill Park. Modern entertainment facilities and ethnic performances bring a fresh and lively atmosphere to the park. On the peak of Red Hill, you will have the whole city of Urumqi before your eyes!
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.
Heavenly Lake
The most famous landscape gem near Urumqi is Heavenly Lake (also named Tianchi Lake), particularly refreshing to travelers arriving in Urumqi 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
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 tour guided by local Kazakhs.
Tartar Mosque and Southern Mosque
In Urumqi, there are ten ethnic minorities practicing Islam. It boasts 263 mosques now. The famous ones include Tartar Mosque and Southern Mosque. Tartar mosque is the center for peaceful Islamic activities in Urumqi 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.
Climate
Urumqi city is located in the middle-northern region of Tianshan, on the south edge of the Zhunger Basins. The average elevation of Urumqi city is 800 meters, and it possesses a semiarid continental climate and a middle temperate zone. The annual temperature is 6.4C (44F), and the average annual precipitation is 236mm (9.3in). The city has jurisdiction over seven zones and one county. The total area is 12,000 square kilometers, among which the city program area is 1,600 square kilometers and the established area is 82 square kilometers.
Dining
What to eat
Never worry that you won't satisfy your stomach in Urumqi, because, here, all kinds of yum food are waiting for you.
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Xinjiang Kebabs are chunks of mutton thread on skewers and roasted over charcoal. The kebabs are turned continually and basted frequently, and when they are almost done, salt, pepper paprika and cumin are sprinkled on them. Kebabs are crispy outside and tender inside, slightly salty and hot. They are not greasy and have no unpleasant smell. They are sold in the streets and bazaars throughout Xinjiang. The Yang Fan Kebabs at May the First night market is one of the most popular kebabs restaurants in Urumqi.
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Nang is Uygurs' food. Uygurs cannot miss eating a Nang any day. Nang comes in more than 10 varieties. Nang is roasted in a special oven which is made of mud and earth otherwise the process is similar to cooking pancakes. The ingredients include wheat flour, corn flour or sorghum flour, with such seasoning as sesame seeds, onions, eggs, vegetable oil, butter, milk, salt and sugar. Nang in gold yellow is crispy and tasty. It is easily portable and it keeps well.
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Roasted Stuffed Buns is another Uygurs' food very popular at festivals or wedding. The stuffing of the buns is a combination of chopped mutton, beef and sheep's-tail fat. Then add chopped onions, salt and cumin. Seal the stuffing in dough square, and put in an oven to roast for 10 - 20 minutes. The buns are thin-skinned, with tender meat stuffing and very delicious.
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Xinjiang Noodles (Lamian) are hand-pulled noodles which are soft and even. They are dressed with fried mutton piece, onions, cooked tomatoes and chili peppers. Locals and visitors consume noodles with gusto.
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Zhua Fan (Rice Eaten with Hands) is cooked with ingredients from fresh mutton, carrot, vegetable oil and rice. This food is soft, delicious and nutritious. It is consumed at the festivals, funerals and weddings of Uygurs and Uzbeks. People habitually pick the food from the tray by hand hence the name 'Rice Eaten with Hands'. Nowadays, people use chopsticks and spoons instead of fingers. We recommend the No.17 restaurant in May the First night market and Wuyuehua Restaurant opposite No. 17 in Hetian Jie for your Zhua Fan experience.
Where to eat
Here are some restaurants which are nice but not expensive.
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Rendezvous, 958 Yan'an Road (right by the Silk Road Hotel, on the 16, 61, and 912 bus routes), Tel: (0991) 255-5003. American-run. Also offers a excellent breakfast menu (at the moment only on the weekends).
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The Texas Cafe, Nanmen Mashixiaoqu (near Nanmer down the alley across from the computer market), Tel: (0991) 281-0025. 1-11 pm. A Tex-Mex style food cafe.
Han Chinese dishes places, available all around town also fall into the mid-range category.
- Vegan Yuanqi Vegetarian Restaurant, 2 Altay Road, Tel: 0991-8735001/8487563. Located near the junction of Altay Road and Xinyi Road. Walk about 200 meters north from the jucntion. On the left side of the road stands a big hotel with two buildings. Restaurant is located 50 meters inside a little alley between A and B wings.
Miss fastfood? KFCs have sprung up all around town. They are available at the Grand Bazar, Peoples Square, Hong Shan, and the Children's Park as well as other miscellaneous places around town.
Get around in Urumqi
By Taxi
We recommend tourists and travelers take taxis to avoid crowds and pickpockets. Every taxi is metered. Santana, Jetta and Citroen ZX cost 6 RMB for the first 2 km (about 1.2 miles) and 1.3 RMB for every extra km. Most journeys around town are 10 to 15 RMB.
By Bus
Urumqi buses go serve the commercial center, residential areas, villages and tourist destinations. The bus service has approximately 100 routes and uses 2000 vehicles. Buses run from 8:00 to 22:00 every day. Ticket prices are between 1 and 2 RMB.
Car Rental (with driver)
With a well arranged travel plan, renting a car to visit attractions in or around Urumqi can be a convenient and time-saving choice compared to traveling by bus. We suggest that you use a reliable agency to find a rental car with a local driver in Urumqi.
Sleep
For money-savers
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Maitian International Youth Hostel, Youhao Nan Lu. Dorms: 8-bed 40RMB, 6-bed 50RMB. Discounts for HI members.
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Peace Hotel, 15 Cangfanggou Lu (near Heping Bridge), (0991) 581-9666. 24 hrs. hot water. Big internet bar right next door, more in the neighbourhood - dito foot massage (20 RMB) Triples + Quads w/o bath and Aircon 100 RMB; Triples with bath, w/o Aircon 120 RMB; Dbl with bath and Aircon 150-180 RMB.
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White Birch International Hostel, 186 Nan Hu Lu. Dorms: 5-bed 45RMB. Discounts for HI members.
For mid-ranges
- Islam Grand Hotel, 22 Zhong Shan Rd., Urumqi, Tel: (0991)2811017 (fax: (0991)2811513).
For money-blowers
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Hoi Tak Hotel, 1 Dongfeng St., Urumqi, Tel: (0991)2322828. Broadband internet access, and satellite tv. 5 stars hotel in centre.
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Holiday Inn Urumqi, 168 North Xinhua Rd., Urumqi, Tel: (0991)2818788 (fax: (0991)2817422).
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Yindu Hotel Urumqi, 39 Xibei Rd., Urumqi, Tel: (0991)4536688 (fax: (0991)45171663). Broadband internet access, and satellite TV. Located in the business district, 312 rooms, six restaurants, exercise equipment, spa, sauna, massage, swimming pool, night club, KTV rooms.
Entertainment
Shopping
What to buy
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Fruits and Melons: Xinjiang is not only recognized as being a station on the Silk Road, but is also known as the 'Home of Fruits and Melons' Changes in temperature from morning to evening, long hours of sunshine and careful irrigation all work together to give the fruits of Xingjian bright color and sweet pulp. There are hundreds of species of grapes, muskmelons, watermelons, apples, pears, apricots, peaches, pomegranates, cherries, figs, and walnuts, and large quantities of fruits and melons are transported to other parts of the country and abroad. To buy fruits and melons, you can simply go to the supermarkets or you can choose to go to a local agriculture market. The most famous market is the Bei Yuan Chun Market in No.7 Kelamayi Xi Lu where you can find the largest variety of fruits and other agriculture products and experience the warmth of the culture.
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Carpet: Xinjiang Carpets and Rugs are famous for their exquisite craftsmanship and brilliant artistic style. The design and color vividly reflect both national and regional features. They are all woven manually by the Uygur people, and are generally made of wool.
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Atlas Silk: Atlas is a kind of silk fabric with fine intricate patterns that Uygur women like very much, and is renowned for its multiple and resplendent colors. Usually the colors include sharp contrasts such as viridis, sapphire, indigo, yellow, peach, orange, gold, mauve, black, white, etc. The patterns are well-knit and lifelike, representing the light and color of nature. Atlas silk is soft, flexible, beautiful in patterns and excellent in quality. It is used by the local people not only for costuming but also as an interior ornament.
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Handicrafts: Full of rich history and unique ethnic character, folk handicrafts have a high place in today's exports of Xinjiang and can be found in the ethnic market. The Uygur-style hats, knitted sweaters, ethnic costumes, hand-made embroideries, jade carvings and carpets are all popular souvenirs bought by visitors.
Where to buy
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The Grand Bazaar is a great place not only for regional specialty items, but also has many goods from nearby countries such as Russia and Mongolia. It is a popular tourist destination and is a beautiful place to visit, due to its unique architecture and fascinating goods.
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Sanfo is the leading outdoor gear stores in China and their store in Urumqi is located at 8 Mingde Lu
Nightlife
For many people their day begins at nightfall. You will see Urumqi street crowds making the most of their night lives. Places where people go for pleasure in their leisure have multiplied in this remote and inland city. In the shadow of brisk night market and gallant plaza, a lot of interesting restaurants, cafes, open-air bars and clubs have sprung catering to the needs and entertainment of people from all walks of life.
Go to May the First Night Market (Wuyi Yeshi) for the local food. It is the most popular gourmet downtown street. Food stalls in this street are well stocked with everything from kebabs to soup. People meet their families or friends here for relaxation as well as sampling the delicacies. The night market opens from 8:00pm to 1:00am daily.
You can go to the Entertainment Square of the International grand Bazaar in the evening to catch the Ethnic Singing and Dancing Show. There are two choices open for you. You may either see it in the open air or in the Banquet hall. The open-air option does not cost you money, but you had better be there well before the show starts at 6:00pm to find yourself a spot. The Banquet hall option charges you about 168 Yuan for dinner (buffet) and show.
Bars, a long establishment of the modern city, do reflect the unique regional culture. Most Urumqi bars are in the city center. In the prosperous Jiefang Nan Lu, you come across dozens of pubs, internet cafes, bowling clubs, tea and coffee bars, and so on.
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