14 July 2025, 18:46

A city at the crossroads of cultures. Things to see in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Urumqi is the largest city in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the trade, economic and cultural hub of northwestern China. Here, as in other cities of Xinjiang, you see two cultures, Chinese and Uygur, intertwine organically. In Urumqi, you see it almost everywhere: on the streets, in restaurants, markets and museums. A BelTA correspondent spent several days in the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) and is ready to share his impressions of this amazing place.

How to get from Minsk to Urumqi

Belarusian tourists can easily get to Urumqi by taking a direct flight from Minsk. The flight time is six hours as the distance between the cities is considerable (more than 4,000 km). A distance of several thousand kilometers means a time difference. For example, 10:00 Minsk time is 15:00 local time in Urumqi. At first it is not very comfortable, but after two or three days you get used to the new time zone.

Six hours and we're at Urumqi Airport. It seems very easy to get lost in this air harbor. But do not worry: the staff of the airport speak Russian and English, so you can always contact them for help and advice. The airport itself is located only 16km from the downtown. So the journey by car takes about 20 minutes. Taxi service is readily available.

You will have no problems with finding a hotel either. Xinjiang is actively promoting tourism, so guests of Urumqi and other cities in the region will be able to find a suitable hotel. Having checked into a hotel and taking a nap after the flight, it is time to go out and see the local attractions.

What attracts tourists to Grand Bazaar of Urumqi

One of the main attractions is Grand Bazaar. It is not so much a market as an exhibition of Uygur culture and everyday life. Colorful shawls and scarves, handmade souvenirs, dozens of varieties of tea, local cuisine for every taste - from dairy products to meat of varying degrees of spiciness... The range of goods is great, like the territory of the bazaar that occupies about 100,000 square meters.

Grand Bazaar is also a place where you can just take a stroll looking at signs, people, architecture. People come here to buy souvenirs and fully enjoy the Uygur flavor. Uygurs are friendly people. When locking eye they always smile at you or give you a thumb-up.

The bazaar makes a special impression at night. Signs light up along the commercial stalls and visitors pour in. It's easy to explain. In summer, the temperature in Urumqi can exceed 30° Celsius, so the time after sunset is the most comfortable for walking around the city.

Why you should visit the Tianshan Mingyue city quarter

Another must-see is Tianshan Mingyue. We got there just after midnight. The streets were almost empty, but the shopping malls were still open. A great opportunity to take a slow walk along the ornate buildings built in the style of classical Chinese palaces. You can feel the Chinese colors at this point of Urumqi to the full. Figures of dragons, tigers, firebirds... All this in the dazzling lights of Chinese lanterns which lavishly decorate the streets of Tianshan Mingyue.

Here you can buy souvenirs, have a snack and also have fun. You can shoot with a bow, practice accuracy in a gallery or try out virtual reality. Tianshan Mingyue offers entertainment for every taste.

You can get in touch with the Uygur culture too. Walking through the city quarter, you can see girls in national costumes dancing or singing on small improvised stages. Such performances invariably attract the attention of market visitors who rush to capture these moments on a mobile phone.

What you can learn in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum

Those who want to learn more about the rich history of the region should visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum in Urumqi. Although the museum was built more than half a century ago, the building looks quite modern, both inside and outside. When approaching the museum, in the courtyard, you see large groups of visitors who come here on tourist buses.

But the real buzz is inside the museum. There are not just a lot of people – the halls are literally packed. Among the visitors are many children. Summer holidays for Chinese schoolchildren are in full swing, and adults are trying to make sure that children spend quality time. Immersion in the history of your region is a very nice leisure option.

It is best to visit the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Museum on weekdays. There are so many people here on weekends that it can be difficult to study the exhibits on display. And there is something to see: museum expositions include about 50,000 exhibits of different eras. These are items of clothing, weapons, dishes, and jewelry. This is the best place to learn about Uygur history.

Where to see Uighur vocal and dance art

Urumqi has a lot to offer for theater lovers. The Muqam art theater offers poetry, vocals, dance, traditional musical instruments. At the entrance to the theater there is a monument to the famous Uygur musician Turdi Akhun. Inside there is a large stage for large and small performances.

The theater got its name in honor of the ancient Uygur art "Muqam". Muqam texts have a place for both folk poems and pieces of classical poetry of the East. Muqam artists tell stories through dance. All this is accompanied by traditional Uygur music. What is happening on the stage is truly fascinating, even though the narrative is in Uygur. Very brightly and expressively, artists communicate with the viewer using “visual” language.