Urumqi

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Northwest China (西北) » Xinjiang (新疆) » Urumqi (乌鲁木齐)

Location of Urumqi in Xinjiang

[edit] Overview

Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Autonomous Region. It is the political, economical and cultural center of Xinjiang, and the link to other countries in western Asia.

Urumqi is located to the north of Tianshan mountain range, bordering Dzungaria Basins to the north. The average elevation of Urumqi is 800 meters above the sea level. It has a semi-arid continental climate. The annual average temperature is 6.4c and average annual precipitation is 236mm.

Urumqi has jurisdiction over seven zones and one county, covering a total area of 12,000 square kms. The city area covers about 82 square kilometers.

Urumqi has a population of 2.08 million. It has a large ethnic minority population which includes Uygur, the Kazak, the Hui, the Mongol people and makes up about 27.3 percent of the total population. Most of the city's population live in the urban area, as the people in agricultural suburbs makes up only about 13 percent of the total population.

[edit] History

Urumqi served as an important stop on the northern route of the Silk Road hundreds of years ago. In 628 AD, Tang Dynasty emperor Zhenguan set up the garrison town of Luntai to establish the firm Chinese control of the area. Luntai was only about 10 km south of present-day Urumqi, and was used to collect taxes from the caravans along the Silk Road.

In 1763 of the Qing Dynasty, Luntai was renamed to Dihua, meaning "to enlighten", which later became the capital of the newly established Xinjiang Province in 1884. Dihua finally became Urumqi, meaning "beautiful pastures", in 1954, after Xinjiang was firmly incorporated into the People's Republic of China. The Chinese government completed the Lanzhou-Urumqi Railway in 1963 to strengthen the city's connection to other parts of China.

Despite the huge influx of ethnic Han Chinese, many local residents look more like Central Asian or European than Chinese. Many local minorities, such as Hui, the Turkic Uygur, and Kazakhs have proudly maintained their identities and culture in the face of widespread change of the cultural complexion of Urumqi and large parts of Xinjiang.

[edit] Weather

Urumqi has hot and dry summers and damp and cold winters. The average temperatures in July are around 25ºC (78ºF), and the average in January is at -15ºC (5ºF). The yearly precipitation is about 273 mm. Temperature changes greatly between day and night.

Current Conditions (2008-12-02 14:00:00, local time)

Urumqi
Snow

Snow

Temp: 22°F (-6°C)
Wind: NW at 11 mph
Humidity: 80%

Urumqi Weather Forecast

Today

Chance of Snow

21/4°F

Wednesday
Clear
Clear

21/10°F

Thursday

Mostly Sunny

26/13°F

Friday

Partly Sunny

30/15°F

Weather averages for Urumqi
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average high °C (°F)	-8 (18)	-5 (23)	3 (37)	15 (59)	22 (72)	27 (81)	29 (84)	28 (82)	22 (72)	13 (55)	2 (36)	-5 (23)
Average low °C (°F)	-16 (3)	-13 (9)	-5 (23)	5 (41)	12 (54)	16 (61)	19 (66)	17 (63)	12 (54)	4 (39)	-5 (23)	-13 (9)
Rain cm (inches)	0.97 (0.4)	0.94 (0.4)	1.35 (0.5)	2.73 (1.1)	2.81 (1.1)	2.48 (1)	3.19 (1.3)	2.44 (1)	1.73 (0.7)	1.71 (0.7)	1.44 (0.6)	1.24 (0.5)
Source: per MSN 2008

[edit] Map

Click here to open Urumqi map.

[edit] Getting in & Getting out

[edit] By Air

Urumqi Diwopu (地窝堡) International Airport has 24 domestic flights to major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Xi'an, Harbin, Qingdao. It also has international flights to Almaty, Tashkent, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Islamabad.

[edit] By Train

Urumqi is served by the western section of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway. There are daily trains to the east and central part of China. To the west, you can also take trains to reach the Alataw Pass, where the railway connects to Kazakhstan and goes further to other parts of Europe.

[edit] By Bus

The modern road network in Xinjiang region has taken shape in recent years, with Urumqi as the center of radiation in all directions. The main highways, China National Highway 312 and China National Highway 314, pass Urumqi. There are daily trains bound for other cities in the autonomous region.

There are also tour buses going to surrounding tourist spots (such as the Tianchi, Nanshan, Turpan, Shihezi). Visitors can purchase seat or sleeper tickets at Qinianzigou Long-Distance Bus Station (齐碾子沟长途汽车站).

[edit] Getting Around

[edit] By Public Bus

Urumqi is served by its convenient public transportation system. The bus fare is generally determined by the distance. There are a few air-conditioned buses, and the fare is same as regular buses.

[edit] By Tour Bus

[edit] By Taxi & Rental Car

Riding taxi costs 6 RMB for the first 3km, and 1.3 RMB for each additional km.

[edit] Video

Kanasi Nature Reserve

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Kanasi Nature Reserve

[edit] Attractions

[edit] Hotels

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid Range

Daluqiao Hotel

[edit] Luxury

[edit] Restaurants

Visitors can find many different choices of food in Urumqi. Sichuan style, Cantonese cuisine, local Uygur-style, Mongolian-style, the Hui Muslim food. You name it.

[edit] Shopping

[edit] Night Life & Entertainment

[edit] Sports & Recreation

[edit] Excursions & Day Trips

[edit] Tips & Practical Info

Due to its high elevation (averaged 800 meters above the sea level), the thin atmosphere filters out only a minimum of the suns ultraviolet "UV" rays and can result in severe sunburn. So visitors should take adequate precautions to protect their eyes and skin.

Urumqi has the typical arid inland climate. It's average temperature is lower than those in inner land. Temperature varies greatly between day and night. Turn on the air-conditioning and adjust the temp as appropriate during the night time.

Urumqi produces many local fruits. Eat only clean melons and fruits to avoid any stomach problems.

Many local ethnic minorities believe in Islam. Show respect by observing the courtesies (such as take off your shoes, and never eat pork, one of Muslim people's greatest taboos).

Category: Major Cities in China