Urumqi (China): attractions, reviews of tourists

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur AR of China. Thanks to a lot of interesting attractions, great shopping and proximity to the Russian border, travel to this city is very popular with Russian tourists.

How to get there

By plane to Urumqi (China, the airport "Urumqi Divopu") directly can be reached from Moscow or from Novosibirsk. In addition, you can fly to this city by making a transfer in Beijing. As for railway transport, there are regular trains between Almaty and Urumqi, and the journey time is about 35 hours.

At the same time, most tourists from Russia prefer cheaper options to travel to the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur AR. In particular, they first go by train or bus to Kazakhstan, and from there they already go to Urumqi on sleeping, quite comfortable buses, making regular flights from Almaty, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Semipalatinsk and Taldykurgan. Thus, residents of the capital, St. Petersburg or the central regions of the Russian Federation are best served by airplane in Urumqi (China), but those who live in the Urals or in Western Siberia can use the railway or buses with a transfer in Kazakhstan.

Population

The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Republic has a fairly motley national composition (47 nationalities), the same applies to the city of Urumqi. China, whose population is generally homogeneous, since 93% are ethnic Chinese, despite this, respects the representatives of other nationalities. For example, if both spouses are not of Chinese nationality, then they are allowed to have a second child, etc. Therefore, in Urumqi, there are many families with many children by Chinese standards. As for religious confessions, the city has a fairly influential Muslim community consisting of Ugurs, Dungans, Kazakhs, which imposes a special imprint not only on the appearance of the city, but also on the life of local residents.

What is the weather like in Urumqi (China) during the year?

The first thing that interests those who are going to visit Urumqi (China) is the weather in the city and in its surroundings. So, I must say that the climate here is temperate, continental and quite arid. In this case, the hottest months are July and August, when the air warms to an average of 25.7 degrees. But the coldest of all here in January, as in the middle of winter the thermometer in the Xinjiang Uyghur AP of China is most often kept at a level of 10-20 degrees below zero. At the same time in winter, frosty weather without precipitation can stand for weeks and is accompanied by piercing winds and sandstorms. Tourists should also know that in Urumqi there are usually significant differences between temperatures in the daytime and at night, so even in summer it makes sense to take on a trip more warm things. Thus, the best time to travel to Urumqi is from the beginning of May to the middle of June, and also in September.

Tours in China: Urumqi

Urumqi is an excellent place for organizing tours of a very different orientation. In particular, excursion groups often come here to get acquainted with the numerous sights of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Republic. In addition, in the winter, the Urumqi neighborhood is a great place for skiing in the foothills of the Tien Shan, and in the summer, ecotourism lovers and those who want to improve their health at the thermal springs located in the Shuimogou district come here.

Historical and cultural attractions of Urumqi

Those who are going to make a sightseeing tour to Urumqi, China, whose sights are known all over the world, will open from an unexpected side, and this is largely due to the diverse national composition of the inhabitants of the region. Whatever it was, Urumqi can offer an excellent sightseeing program. In particular, guests of the city can visit the Red Light Park - the largest Buddhist temple in Western China, built in 2010. The main attraction of the temple complex is a statue of the Golden Buddha, 48 meters high. Travelers should also visit the Central Museum of the XUAR, whose collection includes 32,000 items that give an idea of the history of the region, the culture and way of life of the peoples inhabiting it, as well as rare old manuscripts. But the main decoration of the museum exposition is the mummies of representatives of the European race, who inhabited these lands many thousands of years ago. Almost throughout the history of Urumqi there was a fairly large Muslim community, which played an important role in the life of the city. Therefore, among the attractions of Urumqi there are several mosques, representing a certain value in architectural terms. For example, tourists should visit the Shanghai Mosque, built during the Qing dynasty.

Nature attractions Urumqi

The main natural attraction of these places is Hongshan Mountain, which is located in the very center of the city and is an ornament of the local landscape. Another natural monument - the most beautiful mountain lake Tianchi, which has the shape of a crescent, - is located several kilometers from Urumqi and is known for its amazingly beautiful alpine landscapes. Also, lovers of nature should make a trip to the Southern pastures at the foot of the Nanshan mountain range.

Shopping

For about a quarter of a century Russians are making profitable shopping tours in Urumqi. China is generally considered one of the most preferred places to travel for inexpensive clothing, and Urumqi is still relatively close to the border with Russia. The central clothing market in Urumqi is called "Bianjian" and is in a sense a city in the city, where besides shops there are restaurants, cafes, medical center, exchange offices, ticket offices, two hotels and even spa centers. And in the courtyard of the complex there is a clinic of alternative medicine. One of the purposes of making a shopping tour in Urumqi is buying a fur coat, a leather coat or a jacket. Such products made at small enterprises or in workshops at a relatively affordable price can be purchased at the Leather Bazaar, and in larger stores located in the city center, more expensive and high-quality models from well-known Chinese brands are sold.

Cuisine of Urumqi

Want to eat delicious food? Then go to Urumqi. China is already famous all over the world for its delicious cuisine, but residents of Xinjiang Uyghur AR are preparing very special meat dishes unique to this region. In particular, tourists in Urumqi should definitely try a lamb, fried entirely, the carcass of which was previously smeared with a mixture consisting of pepper, salt, chicken yolks and ginger. In addition, the guests are offered the main festive dish - pilaf with lamb, raisins, carrots and onions, which is accepted by hands, sitting around a large dish with this national dish. But among the drinks special place is occupied by ethken tea, for the preparation of which to the black tea they add salt, milk and roasted fatty fat. And on the table for tea drinking must be present, wheat or corn tortillas, as well as dried cottage cheese. And the most courageous tourists can try a very exotic dish - a light sheep that is filled with a mixture of vegetable oil with the flour starch diluted in water and boiled in water.