Hongshan Park
The heart of Urumqi: a reddish sandstone hill 910 m above sea level, 1,500 m long and 1,000 m wide, crowned by a 10.5 m brick pagoda. Surrounding it is the 500,000 square metre Hongshan Park.…
Hongshan Park, Urumqi
Key facts
- Admission
- Free; Far-View Tower ¥10 Near Hongshan Park (bus stop)
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Guidebook rating
- 4 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 814. Open in Google Maps
About Hongshan Park
The heart of Urumqi: a reddish sandstone hill 910 m above sea level, 1,500 m long and 1,000 m wide, crowned by a 10.5 m brick pagoda. Surrounding it is the 500,000 square metre Hongshan Park. The scenery is nothing exceptional, but as a landmark of Urumqi it is a place visitors should not miss. 'Pagoda Against the Setting Sun' is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Urumqi and is well worth seeing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Hongshan Park cost?
Admission to Hongshan Park is Free; Far-View Tower ¥10 Near Hongshan Park (bus stop), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How long should I spend at Hongshan Park?
Plan on 3 hours for Hongshan Park.
Where is Hongshan Park?
Hongshan Park is in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in the Northwest of China.
More places in Urumqi
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum
This museum is a snapshot of Xinjiang, with its long history compressed into a single moment. It's a bit like instant coffee: it lacks the rich depth of a premium brew, but it will satisfy your urgent need. The permanent galleries cover Xinjiang's historical relics, ethnic and folk customs, and exhibits including the Uyghur mummies.
3–4 hours
Nanshan Scenic Area
Nanshan Scenic Area is a regional-level scenic and historic area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, known for its snowy landscapes, lush forests and grasslands, unusual rock formations, high-mountain pastoral scenery and rich ethnic culture. Key sights include West Baiyang Valley, East Baiyang Valley, Zhaobi Mountain, Chrysanthemum Terrace, Pingxi Liangzi and Miao'er Valley. The dozens of valleys in the mountains are both excellent natural pastures and a popular retreat from the summer heat.
¥45; horse riding ¥80/hour; visiting a Kazakh felt yurt ¥20 · 3–5 hours
Tianshan Grand Canyon Scenic Area
A natural scenic area dominated by snow-capped peaks, forests, lakes and grasslands. The reddish-brown rock walls on either side of the canyon have been carved by wind and rain, and mountains of every shape soar into the sky. Inside the canyon are many Kazakh herders' felt yurts serving local specialities such as lamb. Enjoying tasty food amid the mountains and waters is wonderfully relaxing.
¥110 (entry + return shuttle) · 0.5–1 day
Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Scenic Area
Tianchi, or Heavenly Lake, is the jade pendant at the waist of the Bogda snow peaks, 110 km from Urumqi. It sits at an altitude of 1,928 m, measures 3,400 m long and 1,500 m wide, and is roughly crescent-shaped, with grasslands and forests along its shores. Summer temperatures hover around 20°C, and in winter it becomes China's highest natural ice rink. The best time to visit is May to October. As Urumqi's most famous scenic spot, it has been developed to match its reputation. Almost everyone who comes to Xinjiang visits Tianchi, and it is hard to take a photo here without other visitors in it. The scenery outside the official tourist area is even more beautiful, but it is best to go with a local guide to avoid accidents. Dingtian Sanshi (Three Stones Touching the Sky) 4 km west of Tianchi, in a canyon, stand three giant boulders at an altitude of 2,718 m. Also called Lamp Pole Mountain, they earned their name because in ancient times Taoist priests set up wooden poles on the rocks and hung eternal lamps there, so that the light could be glimpsed from over 100 li away in Urumqi. From the summit you can take in the full view of Tianchi and the Bogda snow peaks. Dinghai Shenzhen (Divine Needle Pinning the Sea) The only large elm tree on the shore of Upper Tianchi, on the northern bank, is said to be the hairpin of Queen Mother of the West, placed there to frighten the dragon of Tianchi. Nanshan Wangxue (Gazing at Snow on the Southern Mountains) Look south from the shore of Tianchi to admire the snow on the Bogda peaks. Xishan Guansong (Viewing Pines on the Western Mountain) Explore the vast pine forests on the slopes southwest of Tianchi. Haifeng Chenxi (Dawn over the Sea Peaks) Sunrise and sunset at Tianchi are both spectacular. To see this scene and the Longtan Biyue (Moon over Dragon Pool), you need to stay overnight on the shore of Tianchi. Xuanquan Feipu (Hanging Spring and Flying Waterfall) A waterfall formed by the water flowing out of Tianchi, and the pool it collects in is called 'Little East Tianchi.'
4–6 hours
Jiangbulake Scenic Area
In Kazakh, 'Jiangbulake' means 'Source of Holy Water.' At lower altitudes you will find high-altitude wheat fields, a sight rarely seen in Xinjiang, while higher up there are alpine grasslands, primeval forests and many Kazakh herders' felt yurts. Jiangbulake boasts 10,000 mu of wheat fields, forests and snowy peaks, mountain streams, tulip gardens and more, and its scenery changes with every season. Its most distinctive sight is the Tianshan Wheat Sea, where vast wheat fields spread across rolling hillsides. When the wind sweeps over them, the wheat rolls like waves, and after the autumn harvest, golden haystacks cover the slopes.
0.5–1 day
Dabancheng
Dabancheng has long been a vital link between northern and southern Xinjiang, a place where Silk Road culture, folk traditions and modern music culture meet and flourish. The Xinjiang Salt Lake, known as 'China's Dead Sea,' brings together some of the region's most captivating natural and human landscapes. Hundreds of wind turbines stand tall and spin in the wind, forming a spectacular wind power station.
2–3 hours