Ürümqi

as with a lot of China, you have to be a certain type to enjoy it. i think my experiences of Urumqi were tainted by poor times at the university, but overall the 11 months i spent in the city were alright. it is very polluted in winter though, and not much better in summer! for some really good scenery i recommend getting out to Tian Chi (Heavenly Lake) which can be accessed from the North Bus Station, go to Fu Kang, and on to Tian Chi (2 buses total) or hiring a jeep. other places of note are of course the Tian Shan mountains themselves, and Turpan (baking hot in summer, watch out!). for western style retreats there’s the Texas Cafe (near Nan Men) and Fubar (near Hong Shan), as well as the 51 Night Market for some street food that (probably) won’t kill you. the local nan bread is quite nice tho, retailing between 1 and 2rmb, and dont pay more than 1.5rmb for a bottle of water (500ml) else you’re being ripped off! personally i think 2 weeks in Urumqi and the surrounding areas is WAY MORE than enough, i didn’t enjoy the environment of the city at all. (don’t expect many western loos either!)

I’ve never felt more unsafe in my life, and most everyone I travelled with got VERY sick. I couldn’t wait to get back to Shanghai!

I visited Urumqi last summer and it impressed me very much. If you are looking for something exotic, not necessarily oriental,make Urumqi ur next destination.

it’s my hometown and i spend 18years in this city,i love it so much,and nomatter where i go i will remember the every second i had spend here.

I thought I was in LA, California, when I came here. The skyscrapers, the buildings, the people, the food, the fashion… I couldn’t believe I was in China.