China Travel FAQ

Urumqi Travel FAQ & Tips

Weather

When is the best time to tour Urumqi?

August and September is comfortable time to visit Urumqi for the cool weather and mellow fruits.

Transportation

How do I get to Urumqi?

By Air

Urumqi airport, 16 km far from the downtown, has flights to/ from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xian, Hong Kong, as well as the international routes with destinations of central Asian countries like Islamabad (Pakistan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), Novosibirsk (Russia), Moscow (Russia), Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan), Bishkek and Osh (Kyrgyzstan), etc.

The airport can be reached by bus No. 51, 12 or a taxi ride of RMB 35 from the downtown Urumqi. The airport shuttle bus (RMB 10) offers service to Red Mountain Park via Yingbin Lu, Youhao Lu.

By Train

Urumqi has two railway stations connecting with Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Xian, Lanzhou, Chengdu, Korla, Aksu, Alashankou, Alma-Ata, etc.

  • West Railway Station (火车西站) offers departures to south Xinjiang and mainland cities. The station can be directly reached by Bus No. 18.
  • South Railway Station (火车南站) in Qingfeng Lu, offers transfer to destinations of north Xinjiang. The station can be reached by bus No. 2, 8, 10, 16, 20, 36, 44, 50, 52, 58, 903, 906, 909, and 915.

By Bus

There are 2 main long-distance bus stations in Urumqi to reach northern and southern destinations.

  • The Nianzigou Long-distance Bus Station (碾子沟长途汽车站) provides buses to Tacheng, Yining and Buerjin.
  • Southern Bus Station (南郊客运站) has regular buses to Turpan, Hetian, Kashgar, Hotan, Kuqa, Aksu, Yarkand, Karghalik, Toksun, Shanshan, Korla and can be reached by bus No. 7, 9, 39, 51, 55, 68, 910.

Cuisine

What is the local cuisine and where can I hunch for it?

Local delicacies are Zhuafan (手抓饭), Nang (a kind of crusty pancake, Chinese: 馕), Roast Whole Lamb (烤全羊), Roast Stuffed Bun (烤包子), Acidophilus Milk (酸奶子), Stewed Noodles (烩面), Stewed Mutton (炖羊肉).

The popular dining spots like Jianshe Lu, Er Dao Qiao Bazaar, International Bazaar and the liveliest Wuyi Night Market offer you many dining options.

Shopping

Where can I go for shopping?

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.

Festivals

What are the local festivals or activities in Urumqi?

The well-known activities in Urumqi are horse racing, Buzkashi (goat grabbing), girl's chase (a courting horse game of the youth) which are easily available in Nanshan Scenic Area. Skiing, winter swimming, skating and Silk Road Ice Snow Festival sprawling in recent years have also added more fun winter choices.