Top 8 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Urumqi

The beauty of Xinjiang is well-known, but its size surprises many people. With a land area of 1.6 million square kilometers, it accounts for one-sixth of the total area of China. There are numerous interesting places to visit, and it would take more than 30 days to explore them all. Below are the top 8 recommended must-visit attractions.

Tianshan Tianchi

Tianshan Tianchi, formerly known as 'Yaochi', is a legendary place where the Queen Mother of the West bathed. It is the best destination for sightseeing, scientific exploration, adventure, leisure, fitness, and experiencing ethnic customs.
Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the largest bazaar in the world, integrating Islamic culture, architecture, ethnic commerce, entertainment, and dining. It is known as the 'Window of Xinjiang', 'Window of Central Asia', and 'Window of the World'. It recreates the prosperity of the ancient Silk Road and embodies the rich ethnic characteristics and regional culture of the Western Regions.
A national 4A-level tourist attraction and one of the new top ten scenic spots in Urumqi. Here, you can overlook the panoramic view of the city. Hongshan has always been regarded as a sacred place, where locals use it as a site to pay homage to Bogda Mountain from afar. It is also a symbol and emblem of modern Urumqi.
This is a provincial comprehensive local history museum, serving as the institution for the collection, protection, scientific research, and educational promotion of cultural relics and specimens in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the 'Loulan Beauty'.

Shuimogou Park

Composed of 'Five Mountains and One River' (Qingquan Mountain, Hongqiao Mountain, Wenquan Mountain, Shuita Mountain, Xuelian Mountain, and Shuimo River), it integrates the charm of ice and snow with beautiful landscapes. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction. This is the largest park in the area, where you can stroll among small bridges, flowing water, pavilions, and towers.
It is the largest Hui Muslim mosque in the city, built during the Qianlong and Jiaqing periods of the Qing Dynasty. The architecture is magnificent, with glazed tiles on the roof. It originally had 10 courtyards with 72 rooms and one bathhouse with 22 rooms. It can accommodate 1,500 people for prayers. There is also a scripture school attached. Additionally, there are 33 shops and 2 sugar mills. It is an important religious activity center for Hui Muslims in the Ili region.

Urumqi Botanical Garden

Established in 1986, it now features various types of gardens, including a rose garden, a perennial flower area, a desert plant area, a lawn tour area, a honeysuckle area, a medicinal plant area, and more, totaling eleven areas. It is a national 3A-level scenic spot. The botanical garden currently has rare and endangered plants such as Tianshan maple, Siberian fir, white water lily, and Astragalus membranaceus.
The world's largest Akhal-Teke horse base, collecting various precious ancient ecological resources. It is also a cultural tourism landmark of the Silk Road and Xinjiang, a must-visit place to experience Western Region culture.