Wulumuqi

Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and its political, economic, and cultural center. Situated in the heart of the Eurasian continent at the northern foothills of the central Tianshan Mountains, its name derives from ancient Jungar Mongolian, meaning “beautiful pasture”. Over 2,000 years ago, it was already an important town on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road. During the Qing Dynasty, a city was built here and named Dihua; the original name Urumqi was restored in 1954. Recent archaeological excavations at Ulanbay Ancient City have pushed the city’s founding history back from the Qing era to the Tang Dynasty, some 1,300 years ago. As the geographic center of the Asian continent, Urumqi is a city where “snow-capped glaciers serve as the backdrop and grasslands as the backyard,” with the snow-white peak of Bogda visible year-round. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is the premier landmark for experiencing Silk Road commerce and ethnic culture.