CN · Xinjiang · 43.82°N 87.61°E

urumqi

Xinjiang museum treasures, cumin-scented grills and day trips towards the Tian Shan.

Best time
May–June and September–October are most comfortable. Summer is warm and dry, December–February is severely cold, and the mountains are always colder than the city.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly with one stop, usually via Guangzhou or Chengdu, about 9 hours in the air. The airport is about 40 minutes from the centre by metro. Malaysians can visit mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days.
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CN · Xinjiangurumqi43.82°N 87.61°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Xinjiang museum treasures, cumin-scented grills and day trips towards the Tian Shan.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingUrumqiCN, Xinjiang
KLurumqi
≈ 4,731 km from KL, as the crow flies
Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. Jul 05

Photo: 29cm from Hong Kong · CC BY-SA 2.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Xinjiang's capital and the usual first stop in the region: a big modern city with Uyghur markets in its southern streets. The museum gives you the background, and the Tian Shan mountains are a day trip away.

Makan

  1. LaghmanHand-pulled noodles topped with stir-fried lamb, peppers and tomato.Map ↗
  2. PoloPilaf of rice, lamb and carrots cooked in a big pot.Map ↗
  3. NaanRound breads baked on the walls of a clay oven.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Xinjiang MuseumSilk Road finds and the famous desert mummies, some over 3,000 years old.Map ↗
  2. Erdaoqiao Grand BazaarThe Uyghur market area, with carpets, dried fruit, knives and food stalls.Map ↗
  3. Hongshan ParkA hill in the middle of the city with a pagoda and views across the skyline.Map ↗
  4. TianchiHeavenly Lake, a mountain lake below Bogda Peak in the Tian Shan, about 2 hours away.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Uyghur and Hui restaurants are halal; look for the qingzhen (清真) signs.
  • Expect frequent security checks at stations, malls and sights across Xinjiang, so keep your passport on you.
  • Official times are Beijing time, but locals often use Xinjiang time, two hours behind. Ask which one a tour means.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.