Urumqi, which actually means "beautiful pasture" in the Mongolian language of the Dzungar people, is the capital city of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China. It used to be a major hub on the Silk Road during China's Tang Dynasty (618-907), and developed its reputation as a leading cultural and commercial center during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain
At an altitude of 1,928 meters, the Heavenly Lake is located at the base of Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the eastern side of the Tianshan Mountains, located 110 kilometer east of Urumqi. Covering a total area of 380.69 square kilometers, the scenic spot includes the lake and its surrounding mountains.
Forged in a semi-circular shape, the lake is 3,400 meters long, 1,500 meters wide at its widest point, and 105 meters deep at its deepest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. The water, sourced from mountain snow, is crystal clear. It has been given the beautiful name of "Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains." In 1990, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot was included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program.
In summer, the Heavenly Lake is an ideal place to escape the season's heat; in winter, the frozen lake surrounded by the snow-capped mountains becomes a ski resort.
Admission: 100 yuan (US$16.07) / person (April 1-Oct. 31); 40 yuan (US$6.43) / person (Nov. 1–March 31)
International Grand Bazaar
The International Grand Bazaar, the central business district in Urumqi City, is renowned for being the biggest dry fruit, jade article and ethnic carpet trade center in the world of its kind. The construction of the bazaar was completed in late 2002, and it was opened to the public in 2003. Built in traditional Muslim style, the buildings here possess that very distinctive ethnic cultural feel and are visited by streams of customers every day.
Covering an area of 4,000 square meters, it features an 80-meter sight-seeing tower, an open mosque, an opera theater and a noshery. In addition, there are 3,000 stalls and individual shops, an underground parking lot and a Carrefour grocery store. It is now one of most famous landmarks in the entire city.
Admission: Free
Red Mountain Park
Located in the Urumqi city center, the Red Mountain Park was named after the reddish-brown mountain in the park. Formed about 250 million years ago, the mountain is situated along the Urumqi River, resembling a giant dragon just lying down there, stretching out its neck towards the river. Its abrupt cliff and particular location has earned itself the nickname of "Sacred Mountain." Measuring 910 meters in height, the mountain is 1.5 kilometers long and 1 kilometer wide. There is a nine-level brick tower sitting on the top of the mountain. Built in 1788, the tower has been well protected throughout the past 200 years. The Red Mountain is nowadays regarded as a symbol of the city.
Admission: Free
Shuimogou Park
Located 5 kilometers northeast of Urumqi City, Shuimogou Park is a famous scenic area inside a 1-kilometer-long canyon formed by a previous earthquake rupture. Surrounded by Qingquan Mountain, Shuita Mountain, Hongqiao Mountain and Wenquan Mountain, the park boasts green forests, colorful flowers, lakes and rivers, as well as temples and pavilions. Its most appealing feature are the hot springs scattered across the mountain. With an average temperature of 28-30 degrees Celsius all year round, the springs are good helpers to relieve any skin conditions or arthritis.
Admission: 5 yuan (80 US cents)/ person
Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area
The Nanshan Mountain Scenic Area is located at the northern side of the Tianshan Mountains to the south of Urumqi. The area boasts snow-capped mountain peaks, vast grasslands, green forests, running waterfalls and massive rocks in various shapes and sizes. The major attractions include Miaor Gully, Shuixi Gully, Zhaobi Hill, Banfang Gully, Eastern and Western Baiyang Gullies, Daxi Gully and Gangou Gully. It is cool here in summertime and therefore makes a good place to get away from the usual summer heat.
Admission (pasture area): 20 yuan (US$3.21)/ person
Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum
he Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Museum was established in 1953 and opened to the public in 1963. It is the largest center of relics collection, protection, research and education within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The museum boasts a collection of 32,000 cultural relics. The articles on display highlight archaeological finds from the Silk Road and local cultural relics, including silk, ceramics, clay figures, coins, documents, books, weapons and appliances. There are also exhibitions on local folk customs such as traditional costumes, living habits, festival celebrations, food and etiquette.
Admission: Free
Glacier No.1
Located about 120 kilometers southwest of Urumqi city, Glacier No. 1 is the headstream of Urumqi River. It was formed some 4.8 million years ago during the third Ice Age. Among the five glaciers found around Urumqi, Glacier No.1 is the largest and claims the name of the one glacier closest to any metropolis in the world. Its height ranges from 3,800 meters to 4,000 meters, with a length of about 2.4 kilometers and average width of 500 meters. The glacier has been well-preserved and its landforms are very typical. The Glacier No.1 is referred to by geologists as "a living fossil," as it is the best place in China for both observing and researching modern and ancient glaciers.
Admission: 15 yuan (US$2.41) / person
Wulabo Ancient Town
Wulabo Ancient Town is located by Wulabo Lake, about 10 kilometers away from the southwestern suburbs of Urumqi City. It is an ancient site which can be traced back to the Tang and Yuan dynasties (618-1207). At an altitude of 1,100 above sea level, the town is shaped like a square, measuring 550 meters from south to north and 450 meters from east to west. Although it was built more than 1,000 years ago, the town has been well preserved. A great number of cultural relics, including pottery, bricks, gold earrings, copper mirrors, coins and jade wares, were found here.
Admission: 20 yuan (US$3.21) /person
Silk Road International Ski Resort
Located inside a national forest park in the Tianshan Mountains, 38 kilometers from the south of Urumqi City, the Silk Road International Ski Resort is the biggest in all of the northwest and one of the best in China. The altitude here goes from 1,800 meters to 2,500 meters and the average temperature in winter is around minus 10 degrees. It is a perfect place for skiing in winter and enjoying some cool air in summer.
The resort is equipped with six trails, two sets of sightseeing cable cars to an ancient forest, five sets of ropeways, a skateboarding field, a professional skating rink and many other entertainment facilities.
Covering 12 square kilometers, the resort bears a skiing capacity of 10,000 people.
Average day spending: 300 yuan (US$48.16) /person
Shaanxi Grand Mosque
Located at Yonghezheng lane of Hepin Road in Urumqi, the Shaanxi Grand Mosque is estimated to have been built during the reigns of Qianlong (1735-1796) and Jiaqing (1796-1820), and again rebuilt in 1906 -- in the 32nd year of the Emperor Guangxu reign (1875-1908). Covering an area of 5,186 square meters, the mosque is the biggest mosque of the Hui Ethnic Group in Urumqi City.
The mosque is a quadrangle complex facing east. Its most prominent feature is the brick-timber construction with the glazed tile roof, in line with the style of construction in central China which is in fact rarely seen in Xinjiang. As a result it enjoys a high reputation with the Muslims of Urumqi and is of great historic and architectural value.
Admission: Free
Source: china.org
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