Urumqi Travel Guide 2026 - Tianshan Tianchi, Erdaoqiao Bazaar, Xinjiang Museum

What's inside this guide Bucket List · Highlights · Q&A · Itineraries · Attractions · Activities · Where to Stay · Food · Getting Around · Shopping · Practical Info · Day Trips · Tips · Background · Plan Your Trip

Urumqi Bucket Listthe bazaar, the lake and the roof of Xinjiang

Browse the Great Bazaar

The green dome of the Erdaoqiao International Bazaar - spices, silk, knives, hats and the night banquet of the Silk Road.

Mirror the sky at Tianchi

The Heavenly Lake of the Tianshan - RMB 100 for the turquoise water under the Bogda snow, two hours from the city.

Meet the museum mummies

The Xinjiang Regional Museum - the Taklamakan mummies, the silks and the golden treasures of the desert routes.

Climb Hongshan for the skyline

The red hill in the centre - the tower, the bridge and the first panorama of the city and the Tianshan.

Eat the Xinjiang classics

Pilaf, laghman, dapanji, jiomaji chicken, naan and baked samsa - the capital's food in one weekend.

Ride the Nanshan grasslands

The summer meadows and the ski slopes of the Tianshan south of the city - yurts, horses and snow.

Top Highlightswhat Urumqi does best

No.1
Tianshan TianchiThe turquoise mirror under the Bogda snow peak.
No.2
The Erdaoqiao BazaarThe green dome and the domes of the Silk Road market.
No.3
Hongshan at duskThe tower and the skyline against the Tianshan.
No.4
The museum treasuresThe mummies, the silks and the gold of the desert.

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Urumqi

How long do I need in Urumqi?

Two days covers the essentials - the bazaar and the museum in one, Tianchi in the second. Add a third for Nanshan (grassland in summer, ski resorts in winter) or a day trip to Turpan. The field guide budgets about RMB 3,000 for a 3-day trip including hotels and food.

How do I get to Tianshan Tianchi?

The Heavenly Lake is 110 km (about 2-2.5 hours) from the city - the tourist buses and coaches leave from the north square of the railway station and the Niaowu Bus Station, or book a driver through our team. Ticket RMB 100 (RMB 40 Nov 1-Mar 31), cable/shuttle RMB 35 and boat RMB 35; the park office is +86 994 322 2184 / +86 994 352 6477.

What should I buy at the bazaar?

The Erdaoqiao International Bazaar (free entry, 09:00-18:30, No. 8 Jiefang South Road) sells the Xinjiang classics - dried fruit and nuts, Atlas ikat silk, felt hats (dopa), Xinjiang carpets, Yengisar knives and the musical instruments of the Uyghur market. Bargaining is expected.

Which food is a must in Urumqi?

Pilaf (zhua fan), hand-pulled laghman (la tiao zi), dapanji big-plate chicken, jiomaji chicken, naan, baked samsa and the meatball soup with oil pagoda bread - then the Huoyanshan hotpot buffet for the evening (RMB 48-78/person, Mingyuan Road No. 1, +86 991 456 2888).

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Diawobao (Urumqi Diwopu) Airport is 18 km from the centre - the airport coach costs RMB 10 and takes about 30 minutes; a taxi is about RMB 40. The railway enquiry line is +86 991 581 3771.

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Urumqi trip?

Yes - email [email protected] or message us on WhatsApp. Our team books the Tianchi tickets and shuttles, the bazaar banquet, the Nanshan drivers and the onward flights to Kanas or Turpan, free of charge and without obligation.

Sample Itinerariesthe 3-day capital classic and the Turpan oasis

Urumqi Tianchi & Bazaar 3-Day City Classic

The bazaar, the museum, the red hill and the Heavenly Lake - the full first visit to the Xinjiang capital. View the plan →

Day 1

The Erdaoqiao International Bazaar in the morning - the dome, the spice lanes and the craft floors - then Hongshan Park for the first skyline.

Day 2

The Xinjiang Regional Museum - the mummies, the silks and the treasures - then the Shuimogou park valley and the city food streets in the evening.

Day 3

Tianshan Tianchi - the lake shore walk, the cable to the upper views and the boat, then the drive back to the city.

Urumqi & Turpan Grape Valley 2-Day Silk Road Tour

The oasis south of the capital - the grape trellises, the Jiaohe ruins and the Flaming Mountains, by rail or road. View the plan →

Day 1

Turpan by morning train or car - the Flaming Mountains, the Grape Valley (RMB 75) and the drying houses of the oasis.

Day 2

The Jiaohe ancient city (RMB 70) and the Karez wells in the morning, then the return to Urumqi by late afternoon.

All plans are bookable end-to-end by our team — see the full day-by-day Urumqi itineraries hub, or the day-trip pages for single-day options.

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake)

The alpine lake at 1,910 m under the Bogda snow peak - the turquoise mirror of the Tianshan, 110 km from the city. Ticket RMB 100 (RMB 40 winter) + cable/shuttle RMB 35 + boat RMB 35; +86 994 322 2184 / +86 994 352 6477.

RMB 100 · 08:30-19:30 · Alpine Lake · Tianshan

View details →

Erdaoqiao International Bazaar

The green-domed market of the Silk Road at No. 8 Jiefang South Road - four floors of spices, silk, knives, hats and the bazaar banquet hall. Free entry, 09:00-18:30.

Free · 09:00-18:30 · Bazaar · Shopping

View details →

Xinjiang Regional Museum

The treasury of the desert - the Taklamakan mummies, the silks of the ancient routes and the golden treasures. RMB 25, summer 09:30-19:00.

RMB 25 · 09:30-19:00 · Museum · Silk Road

View details →

Hongshan Park

The red hill of the centre - the 1788 tower, the Hongshan Bridge and the first panorama of the city and the Tianshan. Free, 10:00-21:00; No. 40 Hongshan Road North Lane 1, +86 991 885 5940.

Free · 10:00-21:00 · Park · Skyline

View details →

Nanshan Scenic Area

The Tianshan meadows south of the city - Xibaiyanggou valley and the Juhuatai flower terraces, with yurts and horses. RMB 20.

RMB 20 · Daylight hours · Grassland · Hiking

View details →

Shuimogou Park

The free park valley of the east - streams, springs and the Gezhouba pagoda over the water; +86 991 487 8297.

Free · 08:00-20:00 · Park · Valley

View details →

More in the region on the Xinjiang attractions page.

Activities & Festivalslake boats, ski runs, banquets and the mountain meadows

The Tianchi boat ride

The RMB 35 launch across the Heavenly Lake - the closest water to the Bogda snow line.

Nanshan skiing

The Silk Road International Ski Resort at Shuixigou town and the Xuelianshan Golf Ski Resort of the east - the winter playground of the capital.

The bazaar banquet

The evening show and banquet of the Erdaoqiao hall - the dance, the music and the twelve dishes of the Xinjiang table; +86 991 855 5485.

Phone: +86 991 855 5485

The Xuelian Mountain loop

The chairlift and the summer meadow walks of the east foothills - the family day out of the locals.

Where to Staycity hotels, hostels and the bazaar quarter

Every hotel below is bookable by our team; browse the full Xinjiang hotels directory.

Yindu Hotel

The business hotel at 179 Xihong West Road - rooms from RMB 578, central for the bazaar and the night markets; +86 991 458 0312.

Phone: +86 991 458 0312 · Book: Xinjiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Youhao Grand Hotel

The grand hotel at 548 Youhao North Road - rooms from RMB 500, opposite the Youhao bazaar quarter; +86 991 483 6888.

Phone: +86 991 483 6888 · Book: Xinjiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Baihualin Youth Hostel

The hostel at 186 Nanhu South Road - beds from RMB 40, the backpacker base of the city; +86 991 488 1428.

Phone: +86 991 488 1428 · Book: Xinjiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Baolu Youth Hostel

Beds from RMB 45 at 652 Kashgar West Road - simple, clean and a five-minute taxi from the bazaar; +86 991 373 7367.

Phone: +86 991 373 7367 · Book: Xinjiang hotels · or email [email protected]

Food & Restaurantspilaf, laghman, dapanji and the hotpot buffet

Pilaf (zhua fan)

The lamb and carrot rice of the Silk Road - a plate from the morning cauldrons of the bazaar lanes.

Laghman (la tiao zi)

The hand-pulled noodles with beef and vegetables - the daily lunch of the capital, RMB 15-25.

Dapanji & jiomaji chicken

The big-plate chicken and the numbing pepper chicken of the Xinjiang table - the two classics of the city's restaurants.

Huoyanshan hotpot buffet

The all-you-can-eat firepot at No. 1 Mingyuan Road - RMB 48-78/person, the evening feast of the locals; +86 991 456 2888.

Phone: +86 991 456 2888

Shopping & Souvenirsdried fruit, silk, hats and the bazaar floors

Dried fruit & nuts

Raisins, walnuts, dates and the famous Turpan grapes - the first floor of the bazaar is the edible souvenir of Xinjiang.

Atlas ikat silk

The rainbow silk of the Hotan and Yili looms - the brightest fabric of the market.

Dopa hats & Yengisar knives

The embroidered skull caps and the sheathed knives of the south - the classic keepsakes of the bazaar.

Xinjiang carpets

The woven carpets of the grassland tribes - the heavy, beautiful souvenir of the Silk Road.

Full local-product guides live on the Xinjiang specialties page.

Getting There & Aroundby air, rail, coach, taxi or the new metro

By air

Diawobao (Urumqi Diwopu) Airport is 18 km from the centre - airport coach RMB 10 (30 min), taxi about RMB 40; flights connect Kanas (RMB 1,260), Yining (RMB 1,150) and every major city of China.

By train

Urumqi South and West stations serve the whole network - the overnight K9791/K9792 to Beitun for Kanas, the Yili line west and the Turpan HSR; enquiry +86 991 581 3771.

By coach

The Beijiao Bus Station at 437 Nanhu North Road (+86 991 487 5555) and the Nanjiao station at 21 Yan'erwo Road (+86 991 286 6635) cover Turpan, Kanas and the grasslands.

Day Trips From Urumqithe Heavenly Lake, Turpan and the southern meadows

Tianshan Tianchi Day Trip

The Heavenly Lake under Bogda - the lake walk, the cable and the boat in a day.

Turpan Grape Valley & Ruins Day Trip

The Flaming Mountains, the grape trellises and the Jiaohe ruins of the oasis.

Nanshan Grassland & Ski Day Trip

The summer meadows of yurts and horses, or the ski runs of winter.

Travel Tipsthings to remember

Allow two hours for Tianchi

The lake is 110 km of mountain road - the coach or driver needs the morning; book the return for the late afternoon light.

The bazaar is cash-friendly

Bargain on the upper floors and keep small notes for the craft stalls - the best prices are on the second and third floors.

Dress for the mountain

Tianchi and Nanshan are 1,900 m plus - a fleece even in summer, and sun protection for the snow glare in winter.

Check the ski season

The Nanshan resorts open roughly November to March - the snow is groomed but the lift queues are short on weekdays.

Respect the local customs

Xinjiang has a large Muslim population - dress modestly at the mosques and the old quarters, and ask before photographing people.

Eat early like the locals

Pilaf sells out by early afternoon and the naan ovens close by evening - the bazaar lanes are best at lunch, the banquet halls at night.

Background & Historythe frontier capital of the Silk Road

The name Urumqi

The city's name comes from the Mongolian for 'beautiful pasture' - the oasis has been a trading camp of the Silk Road for over two thousand years.

The modern capital

Urumqi became the capital of Xinjiang in 1884 and grew with the railway in the 1960s - today it is the largest city of the region and the launchpad for the whole north.

The crossroads of cultures

Uyghur, Han, Kazakh, Hui and Mongolian tables meet in the bazaar and the food streets - the living museum of the Central Asian trade.

Plan Your Urumqi Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place

Everything on ToursChinaTravel is bookable through our team by email or WhatsApp. Here's where each part of your Urumqi trip lives on the site.

Urumqi Travel Guide — the capital of Xinjiang - the Great Bazaar, the Tianshan Heavenly Lake, the museum and the food of the Silk Road

Urumqi Bucket Listthe bazaar, the lake and the roof of Xinjiang

Browse the Great Bazaar

Mirror the sky at Tianchi

Meet the museum mummies

Climb Hongshan for the skyline

Eat the Xinjiang classics

Ride the Nanshan grasslands

Top Highlightswhat Urumqi does best

Tianshan Tianchi

The Erdaoqiao Bazaar

Hongshan at dusk

The museum treasures

Questions & Answerswhat travellers always ask about Urumqi

How long do I need in Urumqi?

How do I get to Tianshan Tianchi?

What should I buy at the bazaar?

Which food is a must in Urumqi?

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Can ToursChinaTravel arrange my Urumqi trip?

Sample Itinerariesthe 3-day capital classic and the Turpan oasis

Top Attractionstickets, hours, transport & insider tips

Activities & Festivalslake boats, ski runs, banquets and the mountain meadows

The Tianchi boat ride

Nanshan skiing

The bazaar banquet

The Xuelian Mountain loop

Where to Staycity hotels, hostels and the bazaar quarter

Yindu Hotel

Youhao Grand Hotel

Baihualin Youth Hostel

Baolu Youth Hostel

Food & Restaurantspilaf, laghman, dapanji and the hotpot buffet

Pilaf (zhua fan)

Laghman (la tiao zi)

Dapanji & jiomaji chicken

Huoyanshan hotpot buffet

Shopping & Souvenirsdried fruit, silk, hats and the bazaar floors

Dried fruit & nuts

Atlas ikat silk

Dopa hats & Yengisar knives

Xinjiang carpets

Getting There & Aroundby air, rail, coach, taxi or the new metro

By air

By train

By coach

Day Trips From Urumqithe Heavenly Lake, Turpan and the southern meadows

Travel Tipsthings to remember

Allow two hours for Tianchi

The bazaar is cash-friendly

Dress for the mountain

Check the ski season

Respect the local customs

Eat early like the locals

Background & Historythe frontier capital of the Silk Road

The name Urumqi

The modern capital

The crossroads of cultures

Plan Your Urumqi Tripattractions, hotels, flights and specialties — all in one place