Urumqi Travel FAQS

1. When is the best time to visit Urumqi?
The best time for visiting Urumqi is from May to October when flowers are in full bloom and the melons and fruits smell sweet and are ripe for the picking. Travel to Urumqi in Spring Spring is refreshing while a little cold. It snows occasionally and rains frequently.

2. How can I get to Urumqi?

By Plane
Urumqi Diwopu International Airport is one of the important hub airports in Western China. With 113 routes, including 99 domestic routes, and 60 large and medium-sized cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Islamabad, Moscow Tashkent, Novosibirsk, Moscow, Islamabad, Almaty and Bishkek Be open to navigation. In short, flying to Urumqi is the best way and the most convenient way at present.

By Train
Urumqi is an important railway hub in Northwest China and the general hub of Xinjiang Railway. There are two major railway stations in Urumqi, Urumqi station and South Urumqi station. At present, 8 cities in China have opened trains to and from Urumqi directly. In addition, you can take the train to Kazakhstan, Astana and other surrounding countries. This is the most convenient way.

By Car (National Highway)
Urumqi is a transportation hub connecting South Asia and Europe. The total mileage of highway in Urumqi is 2905 kilometers. Many national highways and national trunk lines make Urumqi an important node in China's national highway network. In recent years, more and more people are keen on self driving tours in northwest China. You can enjoy the endless Gobi desert along the way, drive to any corner you want. Self driving tourists to Urumqi must pay attention to prepare sufficient materials.

3.How to get around Urumqi?

By Metro
Urumqi is the second city which has the subway in the northwest of China. So it's easy for you to take a metro during your stay in Urumqi.

By Bus
The Bus in Urumqi is very convenient, and the ticket price is 1 yuan. Operation time: 7:00-23:00 Normally.

By Taxi
The starting price of all taxis in Urumqi is 10 yuan, 1.3 yuan/km after 3km and 1.5 yuan/km at night. It costs about 30 yuan to take a taxi from the city center to the airport, and no more than 10 yuan to take a taxi to the South Railway Station.

4.What is the local cuisine and where i can find it?
Local delicacies are Zhuafan , Nang (a kind of crusty pancake), Roast Whole Lamb, Roast Stuffed Bun, Acidophilus Milk, Stewed Noodles, Stewed Mutton. The popular dining spots like Jianshe Lu, Er Dao Qiao Bazaar, International Bazaar and the liveliest Wuyi Night Market offer you many dining options.

5.Where can I go for shopping in Urumqi?
There are numbers of shopping stores for you to looking around. They thrive at the Er Dao Qiao Bazaar, International Bazaar, Zhongshan Lu area, Min Jie area, among which the renovated Min Jie (Shanxi Xiang) features Xinjiang unique folk characteristic in its stores and Islam architectures.

6.What are the local festivals or activities in Urumqi?
The well-known activities in Urumqi are horse racing, Catching Sheep, Skiing, winter swimming, skating and Silk Road Ice Snow Festival sprawling in recent years have also added more fun winter choices.

7. How to get to Tianchi Lake(Heavenly lake) from Urumqi?
There are direct express buses departing from the gate of People Park or Hongshan Hotel. it takes only 2 hours to get the entrance of Tianchi Scenic Area.

8.How to Get to Turpan from Urumqi?
Urumqi has two railway stations for passenger use, Urumqi Railway Station and Urumqinan(Urumqi South) Railway Station. Decades of trains traveling between Urumqi and Turpan are available from 06:00 to 24:00, and the journey takes 1-2 hours, and ticket fare of train is from CNY 24 to CNY 106.

9. What to buy in Urumqi?
There is a wide variety of things available in Urumqi that are handmade and full of the regional flare of Xinjiang. In Urumqi's main specialties, handicrafts include Uygur flower hats, hand embroidery, gold and silver jewelry, jade carving products, carpets, wood carvings,etc. Local specialties include antler, donkey hide gelatin, wine, etc. In addition, a variety of fresh fruits, such as grapes, cantaloupe, pomegranate, fig, flat peach, Korla pear, Kuqa small white apricot, Aksu apple and a variety of dried fruits.

10. What is the distance between Turpan and Urumqi?
The distance is 180km and takes about 2,30 to 3 hours by car.