- Architectural landmarks
- Urumqi museums
- Natural heritage sites
- Where else to go in Urumqi
Urumqi is a Chinese metropolis known for its sights and picturesque surroundings. Those who want to feel the atmosphere of different Asian cultures and learn more about this amazing city come to Urumqi. If you know in advance where to go in Urumqi, you will be able to independently organize your route.
Architectural landmarks
The city has many architectural objects built in different periods. The first thing that catches your eye is the presence in Urumqi of architectural structures of different styles. This is due to the fact that not only Han Chinese live in the city, but also representatives of other nationalities.
Temple of Confucius, which is located in the northern part of the People's Square. The shrine was built in 1767 during the Qin Dynasty. The best masters of the past worked on the project of the building, who managed to embody in the temple the traditional idea of the unity of the three principles.
The central hall of the temple is decorated with three red arched openings. This color in the Celestial Empire symbolizes harmony and joy. The gabled roof of the building is made of gray tiles that form gabled foundations. Red lanterns are attached to them around the perimeter, scaring away evil spirits. Near the entrance to the temple, stone lions are installed - the traditional "guards" of most Chinese Buddhist temples. On the basis of the temple, exhibitions are regularly organized that tell about the life and educational activities of the great thinker Confucius.
The Shansi Mosque is a favorite place of the Muslim diaspora living in Urumqi. The construction of the structure began in 1736, and the final works were carried out already in 1794. The result was a mosque, which is still considered an aesthetic example of Muslim architecture.
The mosque owes its name to a wealthy businessman who invested a large sum of money on the restoration of the shrine. The patron lived in the Shanxi province, so the mosque got this name.
The architectural embodiment of the mosque combines the canons of Chinese and Muslim palace architecture. Various pavilions, spacious galleries, an extensive prayer hall, green tiles on the roofs, facades decorated with carvings - all this strikingly distinguishes the mosque from Chinese structures of this kind.
The ancient city of Urabo, located 10 kilometers from Urumqi, is an important historical relic of the XUAR. This ancient settlement was discovered in the middle of the 20th century, and is still being actively studied by specialists. Urabo is very miniature and is a circle with a diameter of 2 kilometers. Archaeologists managed to establish that the site was finally formed during the reign of the Yuan dynasty.
Today, part of the defensive wall made of red bricks is well preserved from Urabo. Some of the stones are carved with hieroglyphs, lotuses of various shapes, paintings depicting scenes from the life of people of that time. A small museum was built near Urabo, where new finds are regularly brought. The museum can be visited absolutely free of charge.
Urumqi museums
Urumqi is famous for its museums built at different times of the city's existence. All museums are divided according to the thematic principle and contain the most valuable exhibits included in the list of the country's cultural heritage.
State Museum, which is located on Xiabei Lu Street. The construction was created on the initiative of the local authorities, who allocated a large sum for the construction in 1953. Thanks to this, ten years later, the museum opened its doors to visitors.
The collection of the museum is striking in its scale. All exhibits are housed in three spacious halls with an area of about 8000 square meters. The exhibition in the first hall is dedicated to the culture, customs and life of the peoples living in the XUAR at different stages of its formation. In the second hall, you can see the exhibits that were discovered during excavations at the place where a section of the road that was part of the Great Silk Road route was previously located. The third room is known for displaying mummies dating back over 4,000 years.
Tours are conducted in English and Chinese, and getting around the museum is quite easy thanks to electronic navigators that can be obtained from the counter near the entrance.
The Silk Road Museum of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the area of the central Shengli Street, so it will not be difficult to find it. The goal of the museum staff is to spread knowledge about the cultural diversity of ethnic groups that have lived in the XUAR for several centuries. In addition, the museum acquaints visitors with the historical past of the civilization that existed during the reign of the Han and Tang dynasties.
In total, the museum has four main halls: historical, national, arts, jade. The latter is considered one of the most visited, as it presents the rarest jade items dating back to the 7-9 centuries. The art hall is also very popular, where you can see rare calligraphic scrolls created during the Tang Dynasty.
On the ground floor of the museum there is a souvenir shop selling products related to the theme of museum expositions.
Natural heritage sites
Many natural attractions are concentrated around Urumqi. This is due to the diversity of the landscape and the peculiarities of the geographic location.
Salt Lake, located 65 kilometers from the city. Locals sometimes call the water area "the dead sea", as it is not inferior to it in its healing properties. A small resort area has been created on the basis of the lake, where you can come at any time of the year in order to improve your health. The main complex of procedures includes a visit to the salt cave, several types of massages, salt baths and aromatherapy sessions.
There is a beautiful park near the lake, where you can spend time in a calm atmosphere. Recreation areas are equipped in the park, cafes are built, where you will be treated to dishes of national cuisine. In the evening, the park hosts show programs and performances with the participation of the best creative teams of Urumqi.
The South Pastures National Park is located 60 kilometers from the city and is worthy of your attention. The park amazes visitors with its scale and natural beauty. Lush meadows covered with greenery, mountain ranges with the purest springs, waterfalls and a unique glacier are just a small part of what awaits you in this amazing place. The pearl of the park is located in the area of the West Bayan Gorge. You can get there only with experienced guides. In the gorge there is a rare natural formation in the form of a two-kilometer glacier. A mountain river with the purest water flows next to it.
After the excursion to the glacier, tourists are invited to visit the original open-air museum. Its exposition acquaints visitors with the culture of the nomadic peoples of the XUAR. The program of the museum consists of visiting mass cultural events, holidays and master classes on the preparation of Kazakh-Uyghur national cuisine.
Lake Tianchi, or Heavenly Lake, is a symbol of Urumqi and a famous natural landmark in the XUAR. Its beauty is legendary, and the writers of the Celestial Empire dedicated their best poems to the lake. The water area is located on the territory of the Tianshan National Park, which can be reached from Urumqi in a couple of hours. The infrastructure of the park is quite developed, so you can confidently go to this amazing place. Firstly, amazing landscapes await you, and secondly, a trip to the lake is a great chance to relax in the lap of nature.
On the coast of Tianchi, colorful yurts are scattered everywhere, inviting tourists to spend the night. The interior is furnished in accordance with the peculiarities of the culture of nomadic peoples. The cost of such a peculiar hotel is not high, but you will be pleasantly surprised by the level of service.
For tourists throughout the reserve, walking paths are equipped and a convenient route has been laid, allowing you to see all the protected corners of the park. At the request of tourists, the services of experienced guides are offered, who will conduct an exciting excursion.
Where else to go in Urumqi
In addition to architectural and natural attractions, there are many other places in the city worth visiting. If you are in Urumqi, then include in your itinerary:
- An amusement park famous among outdoor enthusiasts. The park is the largest in North China and is equipped with the latest technology. All rides were purchased from European suppliers and meet all safety levels. There are several thematic blocks in the park, each of which has attractions of different levels. Also in the park there are foodcore and recreation areas. After visiting the attractions, tourists can watch a costume show organized by the local theater.
- Erdaciao Market is not only a place where many goods are sold, but, above all, an old landmark. The bazaar consists of two pavilions, the first of which was built in the Chinese style, and the second in the Muslim. The bulk of the sellers are Uyghurs and representatives of the Han nation. On the shelves of Erdaciao you can find textile products, jewelry, food, footwear and clothing, souvenirs, antiques, household items and other interesting goods. During the Spring Festival, mass sales and promotions are held at the bazaar.
