Urumqi City
( 2005-09-13 )

Urumqi, as a new comprehensive industrial city, has formed a complete industrial system comprising coal, machinery, oil, chemical, textile, metallurgy, building material, electric power, foodstuff, leather, and daily necessities for ethnic minorities.

Suburban agriculture has also witnessed a big development, forming three big non-staple food bases of vegetable, melons and fruit, and milk and egg as well producing fowl, meat and fishery products.

Urumqi is a communication hub in Xinjiang and a major passage to link up Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The traffic and transportation are quite convenient, with easy access to all the regions, prefectures, and counties. The connection of the Euro-Asian Continental Bridge can make one start fromBeijing,Shanghai, Zhenzhou,Xi'an, Lanzhou, andChengduin the east and reach Rotterdam in Holland through the Alataw Pass. In addition, international railway service from Urumqi to Alma Ata (Kazakhstan) has been opened.

Civil aviation flights can run to 12 cities and counties in Xinjiang, to other main cities in China and to Alma Ata, Tashkent and Sharjah abroad, with over 60 domestic and international air routes.

Mountains surround Urumqi on three sides. For over 2,000 years, many different minorities of sheep and cattle herders have pastured the area around Urumqi. It was an important city along the ancientSilk Road, and is now an important city along China's northwestern border. The moderate temperatures in the spring and autumn results in pleasant seasons for traveling, and skiing is the best choice in wintertime.

Urumqi abounds in rich tourist resources, including mysterious historical and cultural remains, beautiful landscapes, and unique folkways. Among the many famous spots are: theHeavenly Lake, Red Hill, Nan Mountain Scenic Area, No. 1 Glacier in the Tianshan Mountians, Hongshan Park, People's Park, Water Mill Valley (Shuimogou), Swallow's Nest (Yan'er Wo), and the Bazaar Tour.