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Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region; it’s also the region’s political, economic and cultural center as well as the important gateway of western China to the outside world. Located in the heart of Asia, Urumqi is considered the head of the new Euro-Asia Continent Bridge in western China.
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Dwellers of Urumqi belong to a total of 47 nationalities including Han, Uygur and Hui. Culture and customs of various nationalities form a distinctive cultural landscape. Foreign travelers find it very appealing to experience the local cultural activities like”Horse Racing” “Take the Lamb” and “Dawaz”. The average temperature in Urumqi is lower than the inner land. Given its huge day-night temperature difference, air-conditioning should be adjusted appropriately during night sleep. Do not keep the room too cold or sleep without a quit. Due to the high altitude of Urumqi, the ultraviolet radiation here is very strong. Also, pay special attention to the eating habits of Islamists who compose large part of the local inhabitants. Since they don’t eat pork, pig remains a taboo topic even to talk about.
The golden season to visit Urumqi is from June to October. Xinjiang in August especially makes the perfect summer resort as one can enjoy both the coolness of the plateau and the warmth of the Kazakhs in Tianchi and Bogda Mountain. Winter is the slack season for tourism in Urumqi. However, with the improvement of the amenities in the ski-resorts there, it becomes increasingly thrilling to ski in Urumqi.
Other Tips for Travelers in Urumqi
1. Due to the huge day-night temperature difference in Urumqi, one should prepare some warm clothes. Bring alone sweaters, outerwear and coats when the visiting time is May, June, September and October. If heading there prior to April or after November, thick coat or down coat is a must especially when the destination is Tianchi, Kanas Lake or Bayinbuluk Grassland.
2. It’s a real treat to eat fruit in Xinjiang known as the Land of Fruit. Do not drink hot tea after eating the fruit to avoid diarrhea.
3. People in Xinjiang tend to adopt metric system in the market. For example, kilogram is used when weighing goods.
4. When traveling in Xinjiang, consult with the professionals working at the Xinjiang travel agencies. Trips there contain so many factors that are unpredictable that traveling alone or by renting a car is highly not recommended
5. Pay attention to the 2 hour difference between the Urumqi time and Beijing time. People usually go to work at 10 am in the morning and have lunch at 2 pm in the afternoon. Dinner usually does not start until 8 or 9 pm in the evening, when the sun hasn’t even set yet.