Kumul Travel Guide

Kumul is situated at eastern Xinjiang, China, bordering Gansu Province in the east and Mongolia on the north with 587 kilometers boundary. Covering an area of 153,000 km², Kumul has a population of 583,900 composing of Han, Uygur, Kazak, Hui and other minority ethnic groups. As an oasis in desert, Kumul has sweet Hami melons and grape. The unique Yardang Landform and king’s tomb add mystery color to Kumul.
 

History

Kumul, named Yiwu in Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), was a strategic military base between Han Court and Xiongnu over the western regions. Since then, the area became an important link on the northern branch of ancient Silk Road. In Tang Dynasty (618-907), it was called Yizhou and named Hami or Kumul in Yuan Dynasty. Since the 18th century in Qing Dynasty, Kumul was the capital of the Kumul Khanate and this control was not ended until 1930.
 

Attractions

With the majestic Tianshan Mountains across the territory, Kumul has rich tourism resources with two totally different sceneries: grassland and snow mountains in the north and desert in the south. Thus, it is also called “Xinjiang Scenery in Miniature”. Famous tourist attractions include Tomb of Hami Kings, Ghost City, Barkol Grassland and Tianshan Mountain Scenic Area.

Tomb of Hami Kings is the mausoleum to royal nine generations along with three Arabian preachers and the tomb is in Arabian style. Ghost City located southwest of Kumul is called number one scenic spot in Xinjiang for Yardang landform. Barkol Grassland is the second largest grassland in Xinjiang with verdant forests, wreathing clouds and fog and glittering snow mountains. Barkol Lake within the scenic area has become a picturesque summer resort. 
 
Tianshan Mountain Scenic Area with rippling lakes, high mountains, virgin forest and vast desert is consisted of several scenic spots. White Stone is beautiful alpine grassland where the ancient Yiwu military base located. Tianshan Temple at the peak of the Tianshan Mountain is a perfect place to view the scenery within the area. Echoing Sand Mountain is famous for the sound of the moving sand. Songshutang derives its name from the vast pine forest.
 

Transportation

Hami Airport is located 12.5 km northeast of Kumul city center and has daily flight to Urumqi which takes about 1.5 hours.

The railway station is at North Tianshan Road and people can take Bus No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 to the station. As the first large railway station when a train enters Xinjiang, this station is a stop every train from Xinjiang to Inner China will pass. There are trains to Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Jinan, Lanzhou and other cities in China. Inquiry: 0902-7122222.

The long-distance bus station is at the intersection of North Guangchang Road and Jianguo Road and people can take Bus No. 3, 5, 7, 8, 11 and 12 to here. There are buses to cities in Xinjiang and neighboring areas like Urumqi, Jiuquan, Dunhuang, Turpan, Barkol and Yiwu as well as regular buses to Mongolia. Inquiry: 0902-2233532.

City Transport: There are 15 lines in Kumul city and most buses charges only CNY1. The flag fall price for at taxi is CNY5 and there are taxies to the tourist attractions at railway station and long distance bus station.
 

Weather and Climate

Kumul has a typical temperate continental climate with distinctive four seasons. It has a sunny and dry weather year-round with very sparse precipitation. Northern parts with vast grasslands are cool in summers while southern part in Kumul Basin is dry with great difference between day and night temperatures.
 

Food and Restaurants

Do not miss traditional Uygur food kabob, fried rice (zhua fan in Chinese) and beef noodle. Kumul is famous for Hami melon and various other fruits due to huge difference between day and night temperatures. Cross Street has hundred snack stalls offering various kinds of local dishes with strong Islamic flavor.

Hami Hotel Restaurant: genuine Islamic cuisine, comfortable environment, elegant style and complete facilities.
Address: No.4 of Welcoming Road in Hami

Electrical Energy Hotel Restaurant: in-house restaurant with many private rooms in various styles.
Address: north of Aiguo Road in downtown area.
 

Shopping

Special local products like flower-trimmed bonnet and Uighur musical instruments as well as Hami melon and Kumul Date.

Dry fruit and Jade are also good souvenirs. Cross Street at the south of Kumul city is a center for tourist arts and crafts. Tianma Wholesale Market at Youyi Road in Kumul city is the first place for tourist shopping. Besides, the shops in Kumul street corner also provide many choices such as carpets, silk, printing and dying, paper-cut and embroidery.
 

Nightlife and Entertainment

Kumul has become a modern city with great night scene. People have diversified choices such as bars and pubs as well as local performances and activities like singing and dancing. Xiangyang Night Market on the south of Xiangyang Road lasts from 7:00pm to middle night is a good place to go. Nongjiele Street on the Huancheng Road is also worth a visit.
 

Accommodation

It’s easy to find a hotel in Kumul city but not easy in remote areas.

Dianli Hotel
Address: No.18 Aiguo North Road

Hami Hotel
Address: No.4 Yingbin Road

Muyang Renjia Business Hotel
Address: No.15 Tianshan North Road
 

Travel Tips

1. July to September is the best time to travel to Kumul.
2. Respect different manners and customs of different ethnics.
3. There is a Bank of China near Kumul railway station at North Tianshan Road.