Pearl of the ancient Silk Road

Multi-cultural Convergence

Urumqi's distinct character has formed throughout its history due to the sustained commingling of peoples of various ethnic backgrounds.

The 13 ethnic groups that have dwelt longest in the city comprise Han, Uygur, Hui, Kazak, Manchu, Xibe, Mongolian, Kirgiz, Tajik, Tatar, Uzbek, Russian, and Daur peoples. Among them, the Uygur and Hui have centralized residence, while others live both in scattered and condensed communities.

Xinjiang's cultural diversity has gained it the reputation of "home of song and dance." Uygur folk music and dance, with a history that goes back centuries, is particularly admired. The classical Twelve Muqams, a type of melody used to guide improvisation and composition, have been played in Xinjiang for generations.

Religious tolerance also embodies Urumqi's melding of eastern and western cultures. Buddhism came to Xinjiang in the first century BC, and through to the mid-20th century a number of religions were introduced, including Zoroastrianism, Manicheaism, Islam, Catholicism, Christianity, the Orthodox Eastern Church, and Taoism. This conglomeration has created a splendid religious civilization. Evolution over the centuries has culminated in an environment where Islam is the predominant religion while among many others that coexist.

Important places of worship in Urumqi include the Shaanxi Great Mosque, the Southern Mosque, and the Tatar Mosque. The Shaanxi Great Mosque is the oldest and grandest in the city. Built in the reign of Qing Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) and Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820), it was renovated in 1906. Unlike other great mosques in Xinjiang, it is a Han-style building incorporating Islamic architectural features. Its main part is a post and panel structure ornamented with encaustic tiles. Supported by 40 Chinese red pillars, the magnificent main temple hall features an arch carved with sections of the Koran. The double-eave octagonal pavilion to its rear is for purposes of observing the moon and declaring fasts. Believers come here at weekends and on festivals to pay respects. In recent years, Muslims from West and South Asia have also come to the Shaanxi Great Mosque to attend prayers.

Amazing Natural Scenery

Its rugged terrain and diverse climatic conditions endow on Urumqi abundant tourism resources. Around the city is a steep icy gorge with intact carved geological outcrops, and a vast fossil field. This makes it ideal for trekking, skiing, and exploring. A kaleidoscope of vertical natural landscape offers abundant choices.

Located in Urumqi County, south of Urumqi City, Nanshan Scenic Area features natural scenery and the chance to observe ethnic minority folk customs. It features soaring mountain peaks, lush forests, mountain streams, and breathtaking scenery. The area also has scores of ravines running parallel from east to west, serene natural prairies, and sightseeing destinations that offer an escape from the summer heat.

As a national AAAA level tourist attraction, Shuimogou Park offers an abundance of natural and cultural scenic spots. Surrounded by five mountains – Qingquan, Hongqiao, Wenquan, Shuita, and Xuelian mountains, and Shuimogou River, the park is a haven of rivers, forests and flowers.

Yan'erwo in Urumqi's southern suburb is a noted scenic area and site of the tombs of Chen Tanqiu and Mao Zemin, two revolutionary martyrs and founders of the Communist Party of China. Yan'erwo forest is Urumqi's natural green air-purifier, and also a natural sandstorm barrier. The scenic area gives priority to protection of ancient trees and also offers ecological tourism.

Emblematic of the city, Red Hill Park is at the heart of Urumqi City. At an altitude of 910.8 meters, the hill is so named due to its reddish- brown colored rock. Summon and maintain the energy to make reach the Red Hill summit and your reward will be a fantastic, bird's eye view of Urumqi.