The capital of China's Xinjiang — Silk Road hub, bazaars and the Heavenly Mountains.
Urumqi is the capital of China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the farthest major city from any sea — a crossroads of Uygur, Han, Kazakh and Hui cultures. Its bazaars brim with dried fruit, carpets and spice, and the Tianchi lake sits in the mountains an hour away.
It is the main launch pad for the province's wonders: Turpan, Kashgar and the Tian Shan.
Here are the highlights worth your time in Urumqi.
A turquoise alpine lake below a snow peak.
Tickets ¥215 (with shuttle)Silk Road and Uygur artefacts, including mummies.
FreeThe big Uygur market — dried fruit, textiles, music.
Free to browseA red hill with a city-view pagoda.
FreeMeadows and yurts in the Tian Shan.
Tickets ¥50Hot-spring gullies east of town.
FreeUrumqi has its own kitchen — here are the dishes to try.
Chicken and potato in chili, with belt noodles.
Cumin lamb over coals — the street staple.
Rice with lamb and carrot, eaten by hand.
Tandoor flatbread, the daily bread.
Hand-pulled 'belt' noodles with toppings.
Erdaoqiao lights up for snacks.
Uygur song and dance venues.
City lights from the red hill.
Urumqi Diwopu (URC) is a major hub.
High-speed to Turpan; to Kashgar overnight.
Lines 1–2, bilingual.
Works with foreign cards.
To Tianchi shuttle.
Where you stay shapes the trip. Three good bases:
By the bazaar.
Lodge at the lake.
Practical.
Silk Road travellers, mountain hikers, foodies.
