Ürümqi

Understand

The name Ürümqi comes from Mongolian, meaning "great", a short form of the full Mongolian name meaning "great pasture", as the Mongols were the last major power to control the area prior to the Qing conquest. Following the Qing conquest, the city was named "Dihua" (迪化 lit. "to enlighten and civilize") by Emperor Qianlong, a name which stuck even through the Republic of China era. Following the communist revolution, the new People's Republic of China government changed the name back to Ürümqi in 1954, as "Dihua" was deemed too condescending to the ethnic minorities in the region. Urumqi is famous for its claim that it is the most inland major city in the world, that being the farthest from any ocean; 2,300 km or further. There are two major ethnic groups, a quarter million of the original Uyghur inhabitants of the area and 1.5 million Han (ethnic Chinese); the city has a higher proportion of Han than elsewhere in the region. Other ethnic groups in Urumqi include Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Mongols and Hui Muslims. Despite what some of the guidebooks say, Urumqi has a lot to offer and can provide a great introduction to Xinjiang.

Getting there

By plane 1 Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (乌鲁木齐天山国际机场; Wūlǔmùqí Tiānshān Guójìjīchǎng; URC IATA) (20 km (12 mi) northwest of the city center). International flights from Almaty, Astana, Baku, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Islamabad, Istanbul, Kabul, Moscow Sheremetyevo, Novosibirsk, Osh, Seoul Incheon, Sharjah, Tashkent, and Tehran Imam Khomeini.Regular domestic flights from Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dunhuang, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Jilin, Kunming, Lanzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai-Hongqiao, Shenzhen, Shijiazhuang, Xiamen, Xi'an, Xining, Yinchuan, and Zhengzhou. Regional flights from Aksu, Aletai, Hotan, Kashgar, Kuche, Tacheng and Yining.A taxi costs about ¥50 by meter to the city, although most drivers will try for more. Travel time is about 20 minutes without traffic. Airport shuttles are available for ¥15. The airport closes after the arrival of the last flights, and you are not permitted to stay inside the building overnight. (updated Sep 2018)

By train

All long-distance trains use the Main Railway Station, 20 km northwest of the city. This includes the fast trains to Lanzhou (12 hours), Xian (plus 3 hours), Beijing (plus 9 hours) and Wuhan (plus 8 hours), and international trains to Kazakhstan via Khorgos (24 hrs) or Dostyk (30 hrs).

2 Wulumuqi Main Railway Station (Wūlǔmùqí Huǒchēzhàn). Huge modern concourse with shops, toilets and plenty of seating. Foreigners are searched and scanned on arrival. The ticket hall is upstairs. A taxi to or from downtown will cost ¥25-30 and take 20 min; the queue for taxis may exceed an hour. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Wulumuqi South Railway Station (乌鲁木齐火车站; Wūlǔmùqí Nan) (at Qingfeng Road). Served only by regional & local trains, some of which run on to the Main Station. Fast trains bypass this station. It's on the southwest edge of downtown so a taxi will be ¥10. (updated Sep 2018)

By bus The Northern Long-Distance Bus Station is at Heilongjiang Road. Almaty in Kazakhstan (via Khorgos) takes about 24 hours and costs ¥440. Tickets can be bought at Bianjiang Hotel, room 2121 (边疆宾馆2121号房间) or at the international bus station at Nianzigou (碾子沟国际客运站). The business of clearing immigration & customs at Khorgos makes the travel time variable. To Khorgos itself is 14 hours; other destinations are Burqin (13 hr), Tacheng (12 hr), Yining (or "Yili") (13 hr). Lanzhou is a weary 40 hours, take the train. The Southern Long-Distance Bus Station (南郊客运站) is in the southern part of city, across from Shuishang Amusement Park (水上乐园). Destinations include Turpan (3 hours), Korla (10 hours), Kuche (17 hou

Getting around

On foot The city center is big, and separated into different 'centers'. You can walk, but distances are large, roads are wide, and ongoing building work will block your path. Furthermore, in summer it gets very hot and in winter it can drop to -35°C (-31°F) at night.

By metro The northern section (from the international airport to Balou) of the first line of the Urumqi Metro has just been opened. You must show ID to ride. All signs and announcements are trilingual in Chinese, Uyghur and English.

By taxi Metered taxi fares start at ¥10 for the first 3 km. There are also black taxis (illegal), driven nowadays by anyone, male or female. Fares for these are negotiable and they are very handy during rush hour when metered taxis are tough to come by. A ride within the city should not exceed ¥20, but the airport and main railway station will be more.

By bus Bus number 52 goes from the round about near the airport to the museum. Other useful routes running generally north–south are 101, 61 and 63. The very visible BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) Buses are a quick, efficient and very crowded way from getting from one end of the city center to another. BRT1 and 2 are very useful. BRT1 runs straight down Youhau Lu to the train station. BRT 3 connects the grand bazar, People's Theater and Square and ultimately terminates with a connection to BRT1 at its northern end. Just put ¥1 in the box on the way onto the platforms and then squeeze onto a bus. These are run along a segregated busway - something of a cross between a bus and a tram.

See

1 Geographical midpoint of Asia monument (亚洲大陆地理中心). 2 Grand Bazaar (新疆国际大巴扎), 8 Jiefang Road, Tianshan District (天山区解放南路8号) (the nearest bus stops are Heping Road South (和平南路) on the east side and Erdaoqiao (二道桥) on the west side). The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar was once a traditional Islamic market area but has been redeveloped for mass tourism and is now Urumqi's local tourist trap along the lines of the kitschy "ancient/old cities" you find in the rest of China. Expect thick crowds of Han Chinese from Inner China, dawdling tour groups, aggressive hawkers, and inflated prices. That said, the architecture, though rebuilt, is worth a look. If you come just as it is getting dark you might see tight rope walkers performing with the minarets in the background. If you are after something more authentic, try the side streets around the bazaar and about the surrounding Erdaoqiao neighborhood. Nearby Donghuan Market (东环大市场/East Ring Great Market), though half-abandoned, has far better prices for spices, etc. 3 Red Mountain Park (Hongshan Park, 红山公园), 40 Bei Yi Lane, Hongshan Road, Shuimogou District (水磨沟区红山路北一巷40号) (Bus routes 7, 14, 17, 52, 68, 157, 301, 311, 537, 907, 910, 917, brt1, brt2, brt4, and brt71), ☏ +86 991 8855671. April to October: 07:00-23:00; November to March: 08:30-21:00. This pleasant park has, among other things, a Ferris wheel, a Buddhist temple and great views over the city. The park has a free entrance but you have to pay for some of the attractions. Free. (updated Sep 2022) 4 People's Park (人民公园), 3 Youhao Road South, Shayibake District (沙依巴克区友好南路3号) (take bus no. 8, 44, 58, 308, 903 or 912 and get off at the West Park (西公园) bus stop, which is just outside the park's south gate), ☏ +86 991-5849434. 08:30-21:30. A wonderful place for people watching. Busy at all times of day but particularly in the early mornings and evenings, with people making music, singing, dancing, playing games, exercising, doing tai chi, practicing calligraphy, in fact pretty much any recreational activity. Not to be confused with People's Park in Midong District. Free. 5 People's Square (人民广场), Zhongshan Road, Tianshan District (天山区中山路) (Bus routes 17 30, 36, 104, 501, 903, 907, 908, 920, 931 brt3, and brt71). A big square in the middle of town with an army monument in the middle. 6 Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum (新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆), 581 Xibei Road, Shayibake District (沙依巴克区西北路581号) (Bus routes 7, 51, 68, 303, 305, 311, 518, 532, 906, 910, 912, 5201 and brt4), ☏ +86 991 4552826. April 15th to October 15: 10:00-18:00; October 16th to April 14th:

Buy

The Grand Bazaar (aka Erdaoqiao) 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 although somewhat of a tourist trap these days. However, the surrounding area is the heart of the Uyghur community and makes visiting worthwhile.

Imported delicacies can be found at the Youhao supermarket in the basement of the Tianshan Shopping Center (天山百货), across from the People's Square. A number of stores selling outdoor gear, camping supplies (户外用品) etc. can be found on Renmin Lu, east of Nanmen. Hualin (华凌市场) is a huge trade complex selling almost anything you can think of. Shangmao Cheng (商贸城) is a similar huge bazaar in the south of the city. Beware of pickpockets and watch your possessions carefully.

1 二道桥民俗乐器制作家访 (Erdaoqiao Folk Instrument Maker Visit), Erdaoqiao Market area. By prior arrangement. Visit the small workshop of a Uyghur craftsman specializing in making traditional instruments like the rawap and dutar. See the meticulous process from wood selection to stringing, and even try playing a few notes. (updated Oct 2025)

Eat

Food is one of the things that Xinjiang is famous for. Fresh naan, spicy kebabs, steaming pilaf, or famous hand stretched noodles — there are a lot of choices, and lots of variety.

Confucian Temple, Qianjin Lu. Lunch until 13:00. A beautiful, quiet and peaceful temple. To find it follow the red wall alongside the Autonomous Regional Party Committee building north from People's Square. Take the first turn to the right and follow the road east to the end where you will find the temple. Qosh Amet, Lingguan Alley (Down the small street next to the big mosque on Shengli Lu. The little street begins with a big marrybrown (2017).). For perhaps the best dapanji (大盘鸡 dà pán jī in Chinese, چوڭ تەخسە توخۇ قورۇمىسى chong texse toxu qorumisi in Uyghur) in town — a famous Uyghur dish, head to Konsulhana Kochisi (near the large mosque across from the north end of Yan'an Lu) where you'll find Qosh Amet. For those who don't know Uyghur, simply look for the large English sign that reads "Chicken Food" and head on in. It's a three-story restaurant with a singular focus. The only choice you have to make is if you want a Zhongpan ji or dapan ji (Zhong being smaller, suitable for 2-3 people). A larger plate will run you ¥60, and is served with a side of noodles. The Chinese name literally translates as "big plate of chicken". (updated Dec 2017)

Budget

Local restaurants are available throughout the city, although most Uyghur restaurants are concentrated in Erdaoqiao, around the Grand Bazaar - there are plenty of restaurants on the street behind the mosque offering a nice alternative to standard Chinese cuisine. A standard price for a plate of hand-stretched noodles with vegetable meat topping (laghman/bànmiàn) is about ¥9--if you are still hungry, you can request more noodles (jiāmiàn). Melon slices also make an excellent snack, at about ¥1 a slice from a street vendor. Among other common Uyghur foods are dumplings of mutton and onions (samsa), Uyghur fried rice (polo), dumpling soup (chuchura), meat pies (Gush Nan) and Opke Hessip (lungs and stuffed intestines) for the brave. Local specialty drinks include Kawas (carbonated drink flavored with honey) and Dogh (a mixture of crushed ice, yoghurt and honey available in summer). The best known Hui dish is big plate chicken (dàpánjī), a spicy mixture of chicken and potatoes.

Bodun (博盾), 42 Heping Rd N (5 min S of People's Sq). Delicious and cheap Uyghur staples. Good location in the city center. Avral, 60 Shengli Rd (In Erdaoqiao (二道桥), across from large mosque). Delicious and finely decorated, Avral is also well know

Drink & nightlife

Victoria, 94 Shengli Rd, ☏ +86 991-8555556. 11:00-01:00. A popular hangout with hip Uyghurs, Central Asians and Russians. The dancing and atmosphere are good but the prices are high. Small beers start at ¥25 (local beer by comparison is ¥2), and most dishes begin around ¥60. Almaly Club (苹果之父), 38 Renmin Rd (F5, Xinhongxin Mansion, 新宏信大厦5楼) (On Renmin Rd right before the highway overpass), ☏ +86 991-2334189. This Kazakh themed restaurant and club serves a wide variety of Kazakh and Russian dishes. After 22:00 Beijing time there is live music and dancing (but also a minimum expense of ¥200 per party).

Sleep

Due to the city special regulations, most of the hotels, especially the cheap ones, don't accept foreigners. Walk-in can be considerably difficult and disappointing. It is strongly advised to research a foreigner-accepting hotel before arriving in the city.

Budget Maitian International Youth Hostel, Youhao South Road 726, alongside Parkson Shopping Mall (Complete address in CN: 乌鲁木齐友好南路726号,友好百盛商场旁) (Take every bus that passes in Hongshan (红山) stop (101,2,7,14 and more)), ☏ +86 991 4591488, +86 13999883785. In an alley to the right of Parkson shopping center (Bǎishèng). Clean toilets, hot water, Wi-Fi. Near the red light district Lanxiuyuan West Street (揽秀园西街) Dorms: 8-bed ¥40 6-bed ¥50 Double with private bath ¥140. Discounts for HI members. Silver Birches International Hostel (新疆白桦林国际青年旅舍), 186 Nanhu South Road 186, beside Government Plaza (乌鲁木齐市南湖南路186号,市政府绿色广场边) (From the airport you can take the shuttle which costs ¥10 per person and will go directly to Youhao Lu, then take a taxi which should cost ¥6 in low traffic to the Nanhu Urumqi County Court, the hostel is across the street. Or you can take the taxi straight from the airport which should cost ¥40, you should tell the taxi to take this route: Wàihuán (外环)- Běijīng Lù (北京路) - Sūzhōu Lù (苏州路) - Shìzhèngfǔ (市政府) Nánhú (南湖). From the train station you can take either the number 8 or 58 bus to Beimen Medicine Company and then take the number 73 bus; You can also take the taxi for ¥15 to 186 Nanhu South Rd), ☏ +86 991 4881428, +86 13809943984, [email protected]. Check-out: noon. A nice hostel with a good atmosphere, a nice common area and a good lawn. Laundry, travel information, free Wi-Fi and free water are available. Both the large and small dorms can feel a bit cramped when they are full. Not clean - hallways are dingy, smoking is allowed in the building, all toilets are squatters which smell quite bad. Dorms: 10-bed ¥30, 5-bed ¥45. Discounts for HI members. 1 Freedom International Hostel (青年人旅社), Shaybake district, Yangzijiang Rd 14, West Back Lane, near New Century Building, beside Urumqi Shaybake People's Government Building (Complete address in CN: 新疆乌鲁木齐市扬子江路(扬子江路西后巷里新纪元大厦14号,沙区政府楼后,阿罗山茄面旁巷子里), ☏ +86 991 4509766, +86 991 7730098, [email protected]. A Chinese guesthouse which doubles as a youth hostel and a brothel, with very little guests being travellers (July 2011 - most people seems to be travellers, not a bad option to the other expensive YHAs). Relatively cheap, but the rooms are small. WiFi in some rooms and fans available. Laundry ¥10 per load. The owners/managers spe

Go next

Tianshan Tianchi National Park (天池) - scenic with prismatic splendor. Tickets are approximately ¥140. Buses leave from the north end of People's Park every morning at 09:00. It will give you a wonderful experience of Chinese tourism with your time micro-managed by the tour guides. The bus costs ¥130 with another ¥140 for entrance to the park. This gives you lunch of a sort and a visit to a yurt village as well as to Heavenly Lake. Shihezi - desert city which rarely sees tourists Urumqi is the eastern terminus of the itinerary Moscow to Urumqi, a more southern alternative to the Trans-Siberian Railway. The trip to Moscow can take as little as 5 days.