Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire region. It currently administers 7 districts, 1 county, 3 national-level development zones, and 1 comprehensive bonded zone, covering a total area of 13,800 square kilometers, with a built-up area of 536.2 square kilometers. The city has a permanent population of 4.0824 million people, with a diverse ethnic composition including Han, Uygur, Kazakh, Hui, Mongolian, and 51 other ethnic groups. The urban population constitutes over 90%, making it the sole large city in the entire region.
Urumqi has a long history and was once an important town on the ancient Silk Road, where Eastern and Western cultures mingled. It has now become the industrial manufacturing and trade service center of the whole of Xinjiang, the main carrier of "one port and five centers" in the core area of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the land bridgehead open to the west of China in the new era and an important gateway for foreign economic and cultural exchanges.
Location and climate
Urumqi is located at the northern foot of the middle Tianshan Mountain and the southern edge of the Junggar Basin. The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with an average elevation of 800 meters. It is the most distant inland city from the ocean in the world. It has a semi-arid continental climate in the middle and temperate zone. The spring and autumn seasons are shorter, the winter and summer seasons are longer, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Every year from June to October is the golden season to travel to Urumqi.
Scenic Spot
The Shuimogou Scenic Area
The Shuimogou Scenic Area is located 5 kilometers away from the northeastern suburbs of Urumqi City. On both sides of the bank are ancient trees whirling, springs gushing, and ancient temples and pavilions dotted throughout. As early as the Qing Dynasty, this area was already a popular tourist attraction. There are famous hot springs here. The water temperature is 28-30 degrees Celsius all year round. It contains potassium, sodium, magnesium, potassium nitrate, zinc and other elements. Many visitors from other places come here for vacation and recuperation.
Tianchi
Tianchi, also known as Heavenly Lake, is situated in the Tianshan Mountains, about 110 kilometers east of Urumqi. It is a high-altitude alpine lake, situated at an elevation of about 1,907 meters (6,257 feet) above sea level. Tianchi is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush forests. The lake's crystal-clear waters reflect the picturesque landscape. In 2007, Tianchi was rated as a national AAAAA-class tourist attraction by the National Tourism Administration and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2013.
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the largest bazaar in the world by scale, combining Uyghur culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, tourism and entertainment. It is also one of the most famous landmarks in Urumqi, which was assessed as the national AAAA-class tourist attraction.
The Silk Road Tower is the elevated focal point of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, featuring an observation platform soaring over 70 meters high. It is located at the central square of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar. Each level inside the tower is adorned with murals and exhibitions showcasing the historical stories of the Silk Road.
Food
The dining habits in Urumqi exhibit a strong Western Regions' influence. Unique dishes like "抓饭" (zhua fan) and hand-grabbed lamb are particularly cherished by ethnic minorities and are essential during festivals, weddings, and other significant occasions.
Crispy and thin baked flatbread, grilled buns, pulled noodles, fried pastries, oil cakes, thin-skinned dumplings, and milk tea represent traditional foods among ethnic minorities.
Urumqi is located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region which is renowned as the "Land of Fruits." The Xinjiang region is characterized by high light intensity and long daylight hours, which promote the photosynthesis process in fruits, leading to the synthesis of more sugars and organic compounds. Additionally, the significant temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is conducive to the accumulation of sugars, the production of aroma and pigments in fruits, significantly enhancing the quality and sweetness of the produce. Some of the local specialty fruits include. The specialty fruits in Urumqi include Hami melon, grapes, apples, fragrant pears, red dates, figs, etc.
