1. You Ain'T Seen Nothing Yurt
Also known as the "Heavenly Lake of Tianshan", Tianchi fully deserves its title, and is located about 15 miles east of the city center, so it's perfectly accessible for most tourists. Miss it at your peril, because it's a stunner. You can take boat tours across the lake, enjoying a 360 degree view of its surroundings, although it might be more fun to explore away from the tour groups, around the extensive shoreline. Paths away from the main entrance lead to fairytale waterfalls, while yurts are available to rent for the night, which is comfortably the best way to appreciate the scenery, the quiet, and the spiritual nature of the setting.
2. Tells The Silk Road Story In Style
As cavernous and comprehensive a regional museum as you will ever find, the Xīnjiāng Autonomous Region Museum does an amazing job at cataloging our knowledge of the Silk Road region, as well as its deeper antecedents like the culture of the Taklamakan. Situated in the central Bayi neighborhood near most of the major hotels, its star turn is definitely the 4,000 year-old mummy from a recently excavated Indo-European culture (dubbed the "Loulan Beauty", though opinions differ). But silks, paintings, ancient ceramics and the epic sweep of the Silk Road story make up a cornucopia of historical treasures.
3. A Relaxing Red-Stoned Redoubt
Located in south-central Urumqi, and occupying a huge chunk of the city, Hóngshān Park is a great place to relax and get to know the locals. At the top of the red-colored hill which dominates the park, there's an attractive 250 year-old pagoda, which has exceptional views across town. Meanwhile, the area below frequently hosts temple fairs, folk performances and - when the snows arrive - Urumqi's customary Ice and Snow Festival of the Silk Road, where the ice sculptures are an awesome sight.
4. Urumqi's Commercial Hub
Urumqi's central bazaar is the place souvenir buyers need to head to stock up before heading home, and it's not a bad place to hunt for traditional Uyghur food, either. However, the streets around the bazaaar are slightly more vibrant in terms of street traders than the market itself, which has become a little sanitized in recent years. Still, it has plenty of stalls to peruse, and the attraction of the impressive Kalon Minaret, which can be ascended via a handy elevator to see some delightful vistas over the city.
5. An Outstanding Uyghur Attraction
Also known as the Southern Pasture, Baiyanggou is the finest place in Urumqi to become acquainted with native Uyghur culture. Situated around 40 miles southwest of the city center, and a 45 minute bus ride away, it's a sprawling park filled with picturesque pastures in the shadow of the Tianshan Mountains. West White Poplar Gully is the most famous area, with its narrow, forested valley, and horseback riding opportunities, while yurts in the area sell roasted lamb and traditional textiles. It's all very different to downtown Urumqi.
