//
Capital and largest city of Xinjiang, China
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Josesan at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Urumqi (Pronounced: ÜH-RÜM-chee) (Chinese: 乌鲁木齐 Wūlǔmùqí; Uyghur: ئۈرۈمچی) is the capital of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, administered by the People's Republic of China. The city has a population of around 2.5 million and is in the Tian Shan mountains.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
亚洲大陆地理中心
新疆国际大巴扎
The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar was once a traditional Islamic market area but has been redeveloped for mass tourism and is now Urumqi's local tourist trap along the lines of the kitschy "ancient/old cities" you find in the rest of China. Expect thick crowds of Han Chinese from Inner China, dawdling tour groups, aggressive hawkers, and inflated prices. That said, the architecture, though rebuilt, is worth a look. If you come just as it is getting dark you might see tight rope walkers performing with the minarets in the background. If you are after something more authentic, try the side streets around the bazaar and about the surrounding Erdaoqiao neighborhood. Nearby Donghuan Market (东环大市场/East Ring Great Market), though half-abandoned, has far better prices for spices, etc.
Hongshan Park, 红山公园
This pleasant park has, among other things, a Ferris wheel, a Buddhist temple and great views over the city. The park has a free entrance but you have to pay for some of the attractions.
人民公园
A wonderful place for people watching. Busy at all times of day but particularly in the early mornings and evenings, with people making music, singing, dancing, playing games, exercising, doing tai chi, practicing calligraphy, in fact pretty much any recreational activity. Not to be confused with People's Park in Midong District.
人民广场
A big square in the middle of town with an army monument in the middle.
新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆
Highlights include a few mummies on display and other artifacts. If you start your trip around Xinjiang, the museum gives you a very good introduction about the history and minorities.
水磨沟公园
A beautiful, quiet and peaceful temple. To find it follow the red wall alongside the Autonomous Regional Party Committee building north from People's Square. Take the first turn to the right and follow the road east to the end where you will find the temple. It closes at 13:00 for lunch.
The park is showing old trees from the desert, large stone trees, stones with carvings from BC and some Przewalski horses (which are rare) plus other animals. The north entrance is hard to find and just behind the Yema International Business Hotel (4th floor of the building in the back yard).
二道桥民俗乐器制作家坊
Visit the small workshop of a Uyghur craftsman specializing in making traditional instruments like the rawap and dutar. See the meticulous process from wood selection to stringing, and even try playing a few notes.
Erdaoqiao Folk Instrument Maker Visit
Visit the small workshop of a Uyghur craftsman specializing in making traditional instruments like the rawap and dutar. See the meticulous process from wood selection to stringing, and even try playing a few notes.
A beautiful, quiet and peaceful temple. To find it follow the red wall alongside the Autonomous Regional Party Committee building north from People's Square. Take the first turn to the right and follow the road east to the end where you will find the temple.
For perhaps the best dapanji (大盘鸡 dà pán jī in Chinese, چوڭ تەخسە توخۇ قورۇمىسى chong texse toxu qorumisi in Uyghur) in town — a famous Uyghur dish, head to Konsulhana Kochisi (near the large mosque across from the north end of Yan'an Lu) where you'll find Qosh Amet. For those who don't know Uyghur, simply look for the large English sign that reads "Chicken Food" and head on in. It's a three-story restaurant with a singular focus. The only choice you have to make is if you want a Zhongpan ji or dapan ji (Zhong being smaller, suitable for 2-3 people). A larger plate will run you ¥60, and is served with a side of noodles. The Chinese name literally translates as "big plate of chicken".
Delicious and cheap Uyghur staples. Good location in the city center.
Delicious and finely decorated, Avral is also well known for its Uyghur ice cream (marozhni). This location is undergoing renovation, but their delicious ice cream shows up in other restaurants.
For an authentic local experience, just around the corner from the Rendezvous cafe, try here. They serve a form of fried, then steamed dumplings that are very popular with the local crowd, accompanied by a hot bowl of butter milk tea.
American-run. Also offers an excellent breakfast menu on the weekends, and their wraps are quite delicious. Try the Enchilada if you are hungry or the Burgers. They also have a great range of cakes, some say the best chocolate cake in Urumqi. For the money, the best and cheapest Western food in Urumqi.
一阳咖啡
A trendy local coffee chain with a comprehensive western menu including several steak options. Eat and drink in a classy Urumqi establishment. Smoking is permitted, and there is live piano music some nights.
德州咖啡屋
A Tex-Mex and classic American café. For comfort food try their fajita plates or tacos. They've got refried beans and homemade taco shells. The place is decorated with a lot of Texas memorabilia and it's somewhat of a Tex-Mex oasis there in Xinjiang. Also, they have a good selection of English books.
德蔓咖啡屋
A Caribbean cafe serving a wide array of western and Caribbean specialty dishes. Somewhat overpriced with small portions, but the little steaks are nice.
For those intrigued by the prospect of eating sushi in the city furthest from an ocean. It is a bit pricey as can be expected. Next door is also a Brazilian barbecue restaurant, Sabbath.
塔什干; Ташкент
Pleasantly decorated Central Asian cafe (with a smattering of European dishes, as well), in the Dawan Bei Lu area. From the Number 10 bus stop, turn right at the first semblance of a road, pass a few run-down shops and suddenly you will enter a nearly new strip-mall area surrounded by fancy apartments. Keep walking about two (short) blocks, and Tashkent will be on your left. Madina, a tasty Pakistani restaurant that used to be next to Tashkent's former location, has now taken up shop on the 15th floor of the Huaqiao Hotel (华侨宾馆). Take the elevator to the 14th floor and wander until you find a staircase to the 15F. Same golden arches sign as before, albeit much smaller. The place has downsized significantly, but still features amazing Pakistani food and tea.
美国冰淇淋
American-owned ice cream shop selling delicious ice cream. They have a very small window in the center of town but you can also buy it at the Texas Cafe.
A Buddhist restaurant near the junction of Altay Road and Xinyi Road. Walk about 200 m north from the junction. On the left side of the road stands a big apartment block with two buildings. Restaurant is 50 m inside a little alley between A and B wings. The staff are charming but speak no English, the menu is entirely in Chinese.
Luxuriously decorated Uyghur restaurant. Very good Uyghur food if somewhat inflated prices.
A popular hangout with hip Uyghurs, Central Asians and Russians. The dancing and atmosphere are good but the prices are high. Small beers start at ¥25 (local beer by comparison is ¥2), and most dishes begin around ¥60.
苹果之父
This Kazakh themed restaurant and club serves a wide variety of Kazakh and Russian dishes. After 22:00 Beijing time there is live music and dancing (but also a minimum expense of ¥200 per party).
In an alley to the right of Parkson shopping center (Bǎishèng). Clean toilets, hot water, Wi-Fi. Near the red light district Lanxiuyuan West Street (揽秀园西街)
新疆白桦林国际青年旅舍
A nice hostel with a good atmosphere, a nice common area and a good lawn. Laundry, travel information, free Wi-Fi and free water are available. Both the large and small dorms can feel a bit cramped when they are full. Not clean - hallways are dingy, smoking is allowed in the building, all toilets are squatters which smell quite bad.
青年人旅社
A Chinese guesthouse which doubles as a youth hostel and a brothel, with very little guests being travellers (July 2011 - most people seems to be travellers, not a bad option to the other expensive YHAs). Relatively cheap, but the rooms are small. WiFi in some rooms and fans available. Laundry ¥10 per load. The owners/managers speak no English, but can understand sign language - if you call, you may want to have a Mandarin speaker to make a booking.
新疆雷鸟国际青年旅舍
集眠太空舱公寓
全聚德 天山大饭店
A hotel of the famous Beijing Duck chain (the restaurant is on level 2, do get the duck while you're here!), well located in the Uyghur part of town, close to the Grand Bazaar. Free wired internet in all rooms. Try the samosa and naan on the opposite street for a delicious and cheap snack during your stay.
南航明珠国际酒店
5-star foreign hotel. Affordable nearby parking & public transport.
海德宾馆
Modern 5-star hotel. Broadband internet access, and satellite TV.
假日饭店
It no longer appears to be part of Holiday Inn Group.
Downtown 5-star hotel, good value in comparison to the upmarket chains. Opened in 1998 it is starting to show its age just a little (weak a/c, temperamental showers). Service is excellent however. Rooms are modern and have some character, and occupy floors 12-28 hence offer nice views of the city.
喜来登酒店
Five star high-rise hotel north of the city center. 2 restaurants & pool. Broadband internet access and satellite tv. Luxurious shopping next door too.
新疆尊茂银都酒店
Broadband internet access, and satellite TV. In the business district, 312 rooms, six restaurants, exercise equipment, spa, sauna, massage, swimming pool, night club, KTV rooms.
By train
All long-distance trains use the Main Railway Station, 20 km northwest of the city.
By bus
The Northern Long-Distance Bus Station is at Heilongjiang Road. Almaty in Kazakhstan (via Khorgos) takes about 24 hours and costs ¥440.
By car
China Highway 312 is a motorway crossing Xinjiang from Gansu to the border with Kazakhstan. Most destinations within Xinjiang can be accessed via private car.
By metro
The northern section (from the international airport to Balou) of the first line of the Urumqi Metro has just been opened. You must show ID to ride.
By taxi
Metered taxi fares start at ¥10 for the first 3 km. There are also black taxis (illegal), driven nowadays by anyone, male or female.
By bus
Bus number 52 goes from the round about near the airport to the museum. Other useful routes running generally north–south are 101, 61 and 63.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Ürümqi · International · URC
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Urumqi and China.
Travel tipsWho can visit China visa-free in 2026: the 30-day list (now including the UK and Canada), the 240-hour transit rule, and how to set up mobile payments.
7 min read
Travel tipsFind out how much does a trip to China cost in 2026. Compare realistic daily budgets for bullet trains, hotels, dining, mobile payments, and top sights.
9 min read
InspirationCelebrate Chinese New Year 2027 with festival dates, temple blessings, lantern displays, and top party spots across Singapore, Penang, and Taipei.
7 min read
Travel tipsCompare travel eSIMs for international trips in 2026. Review Airalo, Ubigi, Nomad, and Holafly for coverage in Europe, Japan, and China.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.