The Streets of Urumqi, Xinjiang Region

In October 2007, I enjoyed walking in the streets of Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Austonomous Region. At that time, there appeared to be much harmony between the Uyghur ethnic minority and the Han Chinese people.  In recent years there has been an influx of Chinese people from the cities of eastern China, providing much of the leadership in developing business and industry in the region and in the city itself.

Xinjiang is rich in resources, and much of the growth here is focused on developing natural gas, oil and mining for the resource- and energy-hungry Chinese economy.

Historically, this is a Muslim region of China. The dress of the people, the mosques, and many of the goods in the tourist shops demonstrate the connection of this part of China with peoples and regions farther to the west.

Urumqi, while lying north of the Tianshan mountains and thus off the main east-west caravan route, is a relatively new city, but close to an ancient site known as Luntai (just 10 km from present-day Urumqi) which was located on one of the spur lines of the Silk Road complex.

The Xinjiang Silk Road Museum can be found just next to the Grand Bazaar.

Urumqi is located on the famous Route 312 highway that transverses China from Shanghai to the Kazakistan border.

One of my surprises was the most beautiful new Internet cafe on the streets of Urumqi.

For a more complete photo essay of my days in Urumqi, please check out the albums here…
Urumqi (Xinjiang) Life on the Streets 2007
Urumqi (Xinjiang) Red Hill Park 2007

Latest Update:  2016 04 20