Urumqi travel guide

For travellers, Urumqi's main advantage is how easy it is to get in and out. Unless you have come all the way by long-distance bus from Gansu or Tibet, in which case it can be the end or start of your journey, it is a convenient gateway.

Diwopu International Airport is 16 km from the city centre. A Civil Aviation Express links the airport with downtown for ¥15. Bus routes 27, 51 and 306, as well as Metro Line 1, also run from the airport into the city. A taxi from the airport to the city centre costs about ¥35.

Urumqi has four railway stations: Urumqi South, Urumqi West, Urumqi East and Urumqi North. The two main passenger stations are South and West. Urumqi South Station, on Qingfeng Road, is the departure point for trains to northern Xinjiang. Urumqi West Station is the departure point for trains to southern Xinjiang and the rest of China. On 16 November 2014, the Urumqi South to Hami section of the Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway opened for service, marking Xinjiang's entry into the high-speed rail era.

Xinjiang's road network is fairly well developed, radiating from Urumqi to all prefectures and cities across the autonomous region. Bus types include ordinary, express and sleeper coaches.

Urumqi's bus network is fairly comprehensive. Besides bus routes to every part of the city, there are seven BRT express bus lines and three metro lines. Taxis start at ¥12, and most drivers are Han Chinese, so communication is not a problem. Note that if you leave the city at night, the driver will take your ID card to a roadside checkpoint to register it. This is normal. Also, men are not allowed to sit in the front passenger seat of a taxi at night. This is a taxi custom.

Extreme minimum temperatures drop to around -40℃, and you can ski on the Tianshan in winter, so Urumqi can be visited year-round. The usual travel season, however, runs from May to October, and September is the best month, with comfortable temperatures.

The world's second-highest peak (8,611 m)

Lies 154 m below sea level

China's largest desert

China's longest inland river

1. Clothing: Xinjiang's day-night temperature gap can reach 10–15℃. If you plan to stay overnight at Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), visit Nanshan Pasture, hike to No. 1 Glacier, tour Kanas Lake or go to the Bayinbuluk Grassland, bring an outer layer and a sweater.

2. Food: Xinjiang is the home of fruit, and eating fruit here is a great pleasure. But never drink hot tea right after eating fruit, as this can cause diarrhea.

3. Accommodation: Xinjiang has a typical continental arid climate with large temperature swings between day and night. When sleeping at night, set the air conditioning to a moderate level, and don't let the room get too cold or sleep without a blanket, as this can make you unwell.

4. Getting Around: Xinjiang is vast, and journeys by road can be long. Many sights require you to get out and walk, or to experience riding horses and camels yourself. A comfortable pair of shoes is therefore especially important.

5. Other: When travelling in Xinjiang, be sure to consult professionals at travel agencies based in Xinjiang. Never go on your own or rent a car yourself, as Xinjiang has too many unpredictable factors.

Do you eat lamb? If not, feel free to skip this section and go find fruit on every street corner instead. After all, this is Xinjiang!

Xinjiang cuisine centres on beef and lamb, which can be hard on the digestive system. Don't let the tempting flavours upset your stomach. Drinking plenty of tea is a good way to cut through the greasiness.

1. Xinjiang's lush pastures and climate are ideal for sheep, so the lamb raised here is exceptionally tender.

2. Most of Xinjiang's ethnic minorities are Muslim, and beef and lamb are their staple meats. They have developed exquisite techniques and seasonings for turning lamb into refined dishes. When a whole roast lamb, draped in red silk with glistening golden-brown skin, is carried to the table, how could you not be amazed?

When you visit a night market, don't make the mistake of asking for the wrong thing. Locals go there mainly to drink beer and eat grilled meat. Xinjiang people call lamb skewers 'kebabs' (kǎo ròu), so ordering 'lamb skewers' will immediately mark you as an outsider.

When in Xinjiang, be sure to try the local bànmiàn (mixed noodles). They come with lamb, vegetables or egg.

Finding accommodation in the capital is no problem at all. Guesthouses and hostels are everywhere, and mid-range and budget hotels are the first choice of independent travellers. Hygiene standards are good and transport is convenient.

Bazaars are the top choice for travellers buying souvenirs, and Erdaoqiao Bazaar has the greatest concentration of ethnic-minority goods stores in Urumqi. Specialities from all over Xinjiang are available here, and prices are not necessarily higher than at their places of origin. Craftsmanship is generally average; for example, genuine Yengisar knives can only be bought in Yengisar County itself. Near Erdaoqiao Bazaar is a market called Rebiya, similar to a wholesale market in Beijing, with slightly fairer prices than the street stalls. The night market on Wuyi Road is also well known.

Yengisar knives, Uyghur embroidered caps, Xinjiang carpets, mutton-fat jade, assorted melons and fruit, snow lotus, and more.