Top 10 Attractions in Urumqi, Top Things to Do in Urumqi

Urumqi, with its unique geographic location and its long, rich history, has forged a vibrantly unique culture in this ancient western region. It is an important post on the famed, ancient Silk Road. A great variety of peoples, costumes, languages, religions and customs have forged the unique features of Urumqi.

In ancient times, mud-rocks that flowed down from the glaciers and blocked the river course formed the Tianchi Lake. About 1,980 meters above sea level, the lake has a shape of half-moon and covers an area of 4.9 square kilometers. In summer, the Tianchi Lake is a perfect resort in the sweltering desert. One can enjoy the pure and fresh air as well as the cool and pleasant weather.

Entrance Fee: CNY 100 (peak seasons); CNY 40 (low seasons) Opening Hours: 08:00-19:00 How to get there: there are shuttle buses at Renmin Park and Hongshan Hotel, you can take the shuttle to the Heavenly Lake

The articles on display at the museum highlight archaeological finds from the Silk Road and local cultural relics. The Museum features two basic displays: the Display of Xinjiang Historical Relics and the Display of Xinjiang Folklore.

Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: 09:30-19:00 How to get there: take Bus No. 7 from Hongshan Market

Of the 5 glaciers around Urumqi, Glacier No.1 is the largest and it also claims fame as the closest glacier to a metropolis in the world. Its height ranges from 3800 meters to 4000 meters with a length of about 2.4 kilometers.

Its average width is 500 meters with maximum thickness of about 140 meters, and it encompasses an area nearly 2 sq/km. Glacier No.1 is honored by geologists as the “living fossil”.

Entrance Fee: CNY 15 Opening Hours: 09:30-17:30 How to get there: You’d better take an off-road vehicle and guide by some skilled persons to go to the Glacier No. 1.

Red Hill Park is basically in the center of the city of Urumqi and is easy to find since the hill is noticeable with a nine-story red brick pagoda called Zhen Long Ta on top. It is uncertain when the pagoda was built. The park is a fun place to go. There are some trees and gardens, and you can cross the road to nearby People’s Park .

Entrance Fee: CNY 10 Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00 How to get there: take Buses No. 1, 7, 50, 61, 62, 68 or 101 to the Red Hill Park

The mosque is built in the Han Chinese architectural tradition of pavilions with upswept eaves made of timber beams, columns and brick and also manifests Islamic influences from the west in its use of glazed tiles.

It consists of an elevated prayer hall within a high-walled precinct, marked by the bangke tower crowning its mihrab chamber.

Entrance Fee: CNY 10 Opening Hours: 08:00-16:00 How to get there: You’d better take an off-road vehicle and guide by some skilled persons to go to the Shaanxi Mosque.

In the international bazaar, there are all kinds of shops, as well as food plaza, theatre and churches. Two areas are particularly interesting and shouldn’t be missed when visiting the Bazaar.

The NO.1 building and the NO.3 building offer global and domestic delights for every taste. There are also wonderful performances every evening in the bazaar.

Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: the whole day How to get there: there are several buses in the downtown area can reach Grand Bazaar

This nature reserve, which incorporates forests, grasslands, glaciers, permafrost, mountains, rivers, lakes and other extreme northern ecosystem landscape elements, has diverse rare animals and plants and is rich in other wildlife resources. The highlight of Kanas Nature Reserve would probably be Kanas Lake.

It is an ideal area for scientific research, observation adventure, eco-tourism, film and television production, painting and photography.

Entrance Fee: free Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00 How to get there: take Buses No. 30, 104, 60 or 537 to get the Kanas Nature Reserve

The pasture is a fertile place with charming mountains around. It is cool here in the summer, and is a good place to get away from the heat. This is a natural pasture.Besides the animal husbandry, the pasture also has great many tourist attractions.

Entrance Fee: CNY 20 Opening Hours: the whole day How to get there: There are Tourist Buses outside Renmin Park

The town is divided by a wall into northern and southern parts. Many ancient tombs and relics were uncovered in the south of Wulabo Reservoir in 1983. Apart from stone tombs, most of the relics were pottery works, gold earrings, copper mirrors, stone mortars and small ironware.

Entrance Fee: CNY 20 Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00 How to get there: take bus No.312 from North Railway Station of Urumqi, No.528 from Riyuexingguang Park,9 from Santunbei to Shuixigou Toll Station and exchange 312, 528

Bayanbulak means “abundant spring water” in Mongolian. If you come here you will be provided a unique chance to enjoy vast green grasslands which stretch as far as the eye can see. In this vast Bayanbulak Grassland there is the famous Swan Lake. Specifically, Swan Lake is a wide area of wetland that is made up of many interconnected small lakes.

Entrance Fee: CNY 15 Opening Hours: 09:30-17:30 How to get there: take the Tourist Bus to Bayanbulak Grassland from Nianzigou Bus Station of Urumqi

Tip: Hassle-free Urumqi Guided Tours If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for Urumqi Guided Tours:

Urumqi Highlight Day Tour from US$119 p/p Urumqi Pasture Excursion Day Tour from US$89 p/p Urumqi 4 Day Tour from US$419 p/p Urumqi Turpan 4-Day Tour from US$325 p/p

Further Readings