Xinjiang guide — runs, outdoor training, high-protein food, sights, photo spots

← Guide

Xinjiang

新疆12 SPOTS

Run

Morning run up Red Hill

红山公园晨跑

Urumqi

Short steep run to the pagoda above the city. Xinjiang runs on Beijing time, so first light is around 8am in autumn.

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Outdoor

Hike Yamalike Mountain

雅玛里克山森林公园

Urumqi

Dry ridge trails on the west side of the city; a solid hill workout with views of the Tianshan.

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Outdoor

Lake loop hike at Tianshan Tianchi

天山天池环湖徒步

Fukang

Alpine lake under Bogda Peak, about 1.5 hours from Urumqi; a full day with the park shuttle. Bring layers, it is cold at altitude.

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Outdoor

Southern Pastures hike

南山牧场（西白杨沟）

Urumqi County

Grassland valleys and a waterfall trail about 1.5 hours south of the city; Kazakh yurts along the way.

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Eat

Lamb skewers and naan

烤羊肉串与馕

Urumqi

Grilled lamb is the high-protein staple here; order by the skewer.

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Eat

Polo (lamb pilaf)

手抓饭

Urumqi

Rice cooked with lamb, carrot and raisins; ask for extra meat.

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Eat

Big plate chicken dinner

大盘鸡

Urumqi

Chicken and potato stew with wide noodles; one plate feeds two to three.

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See

Xinjiang Museum

新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆

Urumqi

Silk Road history and the Tarim mummies; bring your passport to enter.

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See

International Grand Bazaar

国际大巴扎

Urumqi

Market halls of spices, dried fruit and textiles.

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Shoot

Bogda Peak reflection at Tianchi

天池博格达峰倒影

Fukang

Shoot Bogda Peak from the north shore; mornings are calmest, late-afternoon light also works before the last shuttle.

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Shoot

Sunset over Urumqi from Red Hill

红山塔日落

Urumqi

Pagoda and city against the snow line; sunset is late, around 8pm in summer and 7pm in autumn.

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Shoot

Grand Bazaar at night

国际大巴扎夜景

Urumqi

Lit minaret tower and night market crowds.

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Journal

Xinjiang day by day

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Arrive

Urumqi Diwopu (URC): Metro Line 1 runs from the airport to Nanmen in about 40 minutes and to Erdaoqiao (Grand Bazaar) in about 45.

Xinjiang runs on Beijing time, so days start and end late: first light is around 8am in autumn.

Hotels in Xinjiang ↗Flights to Xinjiang ↗

Get around

Tianshan Tianchi and the Southern Pastures are each about 1.5 hours away; go by tour shuttle or hire a car with a driver for the day.

Carry your passport at all times; ID checks are frequent at stations, sights and some hotels.

Essentials

Before you fly: visa-free entry, payments, transport

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