Back from Urumqi, here are my impressions

🌄Urumqi, the "Asian Heart City" with Western Region charm, at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains hides the passion of the Uyghur people, the grandeur of the Kazakhs, and the aroma of lamb skewers, hand-pulled rice, and big plate chicken. Walking around feels like opening a colorful ethnic picture scroll!

Must-visit Attractions

1️⃣ Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar: The largest bazaar in the world! The Uyghur architecture is super magnificent, with painted domes and glass brick walls dazzling your eyes. On the second floor, buy Atlas silk and ethnic musical instruments; on the first floor, enjoy baked buns and yogurt rice dumplings. At night, there are lively song and dance performances~

2️⃣ Heavenly Lake of Tianshan: The legendary Queen Mother of the West’s Jade Pool! Take the shuttle bus to the lake, hike Ma Ya Mountain to see the snow mountain reflections. In summer, wildflowers bloom everywhere; in winter, the blue ice sparkles. Wearing bright clothes makes for great photos~

3️⃣ Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum: Free admission! See the "Loulan Beauty" mummy (3,800 years old), the Five-Star Eastern Favor Chinese brocade armband (the museum’s treasure), and recreated Uyghur life scenes. Book in advance to avoid missing out~

4️⃣ Hongshan Park: Urumqi’s landmark! Climb Hongshan Tower for a panoramic city view, the West Bridge night scene is stunning, there’s a Ferris wheel on the hill (great for couples), and evening strolls are super relaxing~

5️⃣ Nanshan Pasture: The Kazakh summer pasture! Horse riding, milking cows, staying in yurts, the Xibaiyanggou Waterfall cascades down, the Chrysanthemum Terrace meadow looks like a green carpet, and wild strawberries in July-August are super sweet~

6️⃣ Shuimogou Park: A local summer retreat! Qingquan Mountain and Hongqiao Mountain are shaded by lush trees, the Shuimo River flows gently, Uyghur grandmas wash clothes by the river, full of everyday life vibes~

7️⃣ Nang Culture Industrial Park: The giant nang oven is impressive! Watch masters make nang and bake buns, buy sesame nang and spicy nang as souvenirs, and even try making nang yourself~

8️⃣ Silk Road International Ski Resort: A must-go in winter! Runs from beginner to advanced, take the cable car to see snow mountains, stay in wooden cabins at night, hot pot with mulled wine is super warming~

Food Recommendations

🍢 Consulate Lane Food Street:

• Ailijiang Nang Oven Meat: Lamb skewers baked in a nang oven, crispy outside and tender inside, 5 yuan per skewer, perfectly balanced fat and lean, super fragrant!

• Marhaba Tatar Pastries: Walnut cookies, baklava (honey nut layered pastry), sweet but not greasy, perfect with milk tea~

• Usman Pearl Hand-Pulled Rice: Hand-pulled rice with lamb leg, sweet soft carrots, glossy rice, served with yogurt to cut the grease~

🍜 Hotan Street Food:

• No.19 Baked Bun King: 3 yuan per baked bun, thin skin and large filling, juicy onion and lamb filling, worth queuing for!

• Yizihair Ice Cream: Uyghur handmade ice cream, rich original milk flavor, refreshing cantaloupe flavor, perfect for summer~

🍲 Silk Road Appointment Restaurant:

• Crawfish Baked Bun: Innovative! Crawfish meat + cheese, stretchy when bitten, mildly spicy and satisfying~

• Wusu Beer Roasted Lamb Leg: Tender lamb leg, Wusu beer removes the gamey smell and adds aroma, served with piyazi (onion) to cut the grease~

🍛 Loulan Secret Roast:

• Yogurt Rice Dumplings: Glutinous rice dumplings topped with homemade yogurt and honey, sweet and sour, soft and sticky, made live by Uyghur aunties~

• Fake Xinjiang Roasted Lamb Ribs: Crispy outside and tender inside lamb ribs, dipped in chili powder and cumin, getting your hands greasy is the real fun!

Transportation

✈️ Airplane: Diwopu International Airport (Terminals T1/T2/T3), Metro Line 1 to downtown (International Center Station), airport shuttle bus to Hongshan Station about 1 hour (10 yuan/person)~

🚄 High-speed Rail: Urumqi Station (Metro Line 1), convenient to downtown, but few high-speed rail lines in Xinjiang, mostly transfer via Lanzhou/Xi’an~

🚇 Metro: Currently 1 line (International Airport - Santunbei), covers airport, train station, Grand Bazaar, use Alipay to get the "Urumqi Metro e-card" for scanning rides~

🚌 Bus: Few scenic area lines, city buses use the "Hongshan Tong" app for scanning, but wait times are long, taxi or shared electric bikes (plentiful in city) recommended~

🚖 Taxi: Starting fare 10 yuan (3 km), city attractions are close (e.g., Grand Bazaar to Hongshan Park 5 km), taxi about 15 yuan, but traffic jams possible during peak hours (9:00-10:30, 19:00-20:30)~

Accommodation

🏨 Near Grand Bazaar/Erdaoqiao: Super convenient for eating and shopping, walking distance to Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar and Consulate Lane, recommended All Seasons Hotel (Grand Bazaar branch) or Uyghur-style homestays, prices 200-500 yuan~

🌄 Near Hongshan Park: Great for night views, close to Hongshan Market (dry fruits shopping), recommended Hilton Urumqi Hotel (Hetan Expressway branch), prices 400-800 yuan~

🛍️ Youhao Shopping District: Meimei Shopping Center, Youhao Supermarket convenient for shopping, Metro Line 1 (Balu Station), stay at Mercure Hotel (Youhao branch), prices 300-600 yuan~

🚇 Along Metro Lines: Near Line 1 (Xinxing Street Station), Line 2 (South Gate Station), cost-effective, good for budget travelers, prices 150-300 yuan~

Tips💡

✅ Sunscreen is a must! Urumqi has very strong UV rays, bring sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen or you’ll get two shades darker from the sun😭

✅ Respect customs! Take off shoes and keep quiet in mosques, ask for directions from uniformed police or locals, don’t randomly photograph elderly Uyghurs~

✅ Bring a jacket! Summer days are hot (30℃+), but mornings and evenings are cool (15℃), Nanshan Pasture is even colder, bring a light down jacket just in case~

✅ Buy dried fruits at Hualing Market! Walnuts, almonds, dried figs are cheaper than in scenic spots and you can bargain, don’t buy expensive ones at the Grand Bazaar~

✅ Time difference is 2 hours! Xinjiang uses Beijing time, but the sun sets late (10 PM in summer), plan meals and activities according to local rhythm~🌙