Travel Guide to Urumqi, China

Urumqi (pronounced Wulumuqi in Mandarin), the provincial capital of Xinjiang, China, is not on most tourists' lists of destinations, but the city has plenty to offer visitors seeking a change of pace in the Middle Kingdom. This Silk Road city has a distinct culture and cuisine that is unlike the rest of China. Because of its location, Urumqi has become a trade hub between China and Russia as well as other central Asian nations.

Urumqi is farther from a major body of water than any other city in the world. Its official time is the same as Beijing and the rest of China, despite being on the opposite side of the country, but non-government businesses in the region run on local time rather than the official time (it is two to three hours behind Beijing time). The best time of year to visit is the early fall or late spring. Winters are extremely cold and summers are hot, though it cools down significantly at night during the summer.

The most common destination for tourists in Urumqi is the International Grand Bazaar, which is the largest bazaar in the world. Not only is this enormous market a great destination for shoppers and bargain hunters, it is also a great introduction to Uyghur and Chinese Muslim culture. The bazaar offers a wide variety of goods from Xinjiang's ethnic minorities as well as traditional Chinese souvenirs. There are ample food stalls for visitors to sample local delicacies.

Often overlooked, is the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum. This museum is home to artifacts from the region's history, including mummified remains of early settlers dating back 4,000 years. The museum also contains an exhibit on each ethnic group in the province. There are museum guides who speak English and multi-lingual explanations of exhibits.

No trip to Urumqi would be complete without a trip to Hong Shan (Red Mountain) Park. The park is very much a tourist trap, with vendors and cheap carnival rides throughout the park, but it is still worth visiting for the short hike up the mountain and the view of the city. From the peak of the mountain, visitors can see the entire city of Urumqi and the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

Aside from the museums and parks, Urumqi offers numerous night markets that mostly sell local cuisine and cheap goods. During the summer, most residents eat outside late at night (at least by Beijing time). Most of the food at the markets is barbecue and noodles-most of the meat is lamb. The flavors of Xinjiang's food are reminiscent of Turkish and Lebanese cuisine-cumin, chili powder, and salt are often used in barbecued foods in the region. The local specialty, however, is Xinjiang da pan ji (literally, big plate chicken) served with either naan or noodles. At some restaurants, the plates for this dish are the size of a table.