Urumqi (Pronounced: ÜH-RÜM-chee) (Chinese: 乌鲁木齐 Wūlǔmùqí; Uyghur: ئۈرۈمچی) is the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, administered by the People's Republic of China. The city has a population of around 2.5 million and is in the Tian Shan mountains.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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.
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. 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. Metered taxi fares start at ¥10 for the first 3 km. There are also black taxis (illegal), driven nowadays by anyone, male or female.
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.
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).).
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).
Urumqi is generally safe. Pickpockets occasionally operate in the bigger bazaars and on public transportation so avoid flaunting valuables. Ethnic tensions between the Uyghurs and Han Chinese – such as in 2009 when riots broke out in the city – has resulted in a large police and military presence in Urumqi, especially near government buildings and tourist sites. Metal detectors and bag x-ray machines are placed at the entrances to most publicly-accessible buildings and tourist attractions (although whether they are actually used is a different story). Police may be more inquisitive of visible foreigners, who are not a common sight in Urumqi.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Urumqi typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 5 rainy days.
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