Urumqi History

Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, is located in the mid-north of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and in the north of Tianshan Mountains. It is the political, economic and cultural center of Xinjing, which is important portal opening to outside world and the important city in the mid of Eurasia. As it was the important stop on ancient Silk Road, it featured multi-culture and it was the most vigorous city in Central Asia. Urumqi is a multi-national city, and currently, there are 49 minority nationalities in Urumqi with the population of 3.11 million.
 

Historical Role

Urumqi meant “Beautiful Pasture” in Mongolian and its name could be traced back as early as 925. Urumqi has a long history. There was human being living there in Neolithic age. The earliest resident was Cheshi (one of the 36 Kingdoms in West Region) people. In Western Han Period (202B.C.-9 A.D.), there were more than ten nomads living Urumqi and its surroundings. Before the Urumqi was inhabited, it was a fertile and beautiful pasture. In the early Western Han, central government had garrison troops to open up wasteland and grow food grain, and set administrative organization to protect the north route on Silk Road.

In 640, Tang Dynasty founded Ting Zhou (administrative region) to dominate four counties, and these districts were called Luntai County. Now it is the ruins of ancient town in the southeast suburb of Urumqi City.

In 702, Ting Zhou set military administration organization and stationed army was increased.

In the early Qing, old city was destroyed of war. Large-scale development to Urumqi started from 1755 of Qing Dynasty. In 1755, Qing government rebuilt on the basis of old city and called it Urumqi. Qing government built new city outside of present South Gate of Urumqi in 1758, which was the Urumqi City in an early form, and it was extended in 1763. It was called “Dihua” at that time.

In 1884, Xinjiang Province was established, and Qing government transferred the military and administrative center to “Dihua” from Ili, and “Dihua” became the capital of Xinjiang.

Xinjiang was peacefully liberated on September 25, 1949, and Dihua People’s Government was founded.

In 1954, Dihua was reinstated its original name of Urumqi.
 

Urumqi Today

After the adjustment, administrative area of Urumqi reaches to 14,216 square kilometers from 10,900. Now, Urumqi is a metropolis with the population of 3.11 million. It is the political, economic and cultural center of Xinjiang and the important city in the mid part of Eurasia, playing an important role of transportation on the Silk Road Tour.

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