Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Known as “the heart of the Asian continent”, Urumq’s strategic location makes it a place that calls for fusions, blending influences from China, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It is a cannot-miss destination for travelers who expect to dig into the historical and cultural depths of China’s diplomatic history.
This is a city alive with colours. From bustling bazaars and ancient Silk Road relics to stunning natural landscapes, there’s no shortage of things to explore.When planning your trip, we suggest incorporating Urumqi into a broader Silk Road adventure – where whispers of a golden age, cross-ethnic culture, and fascinating natural beauty await at every turn.This Urumqi transportation guide will help you navigate through various ways to get to Urumqi and move around the city, all with ease and style.
How to Get to Urumqi
As a modern metropolis, Urumqi transportation links are excellent. Whether you’ve up to travel by air, train, or bus, getting to Urumqi is straightforward. Let’s dive into some ideas for kicking off an unforgettable adventure in this Silk Road hub.
By Air
Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC) is recognized as one of China’s major national gateway hub airports and holds the distinction of being the busiest single-runway airport in 2023. This airport connects Urumqi to major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Xi’an. It also offers international flights to Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe. Here are the flight durations from some key cities:
- Beijing– 4 hours
- Shanghai– 5 hours
- Guangzhou– 4 hours
- Xi’an– 3 hours and 10 minutes
- Chengdu– 3 hours
- Almaty– 1 hour and 45 minutes
Urumqi Airport Transportation
Diwopu Airport is about 16 kilometers from Urumqi’s city center. You can take a taxi, which costs approximately 35-50 RMB and takes 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Shuttle buses run every 30 minutes, reaching downtown in about 30 minutes. Additionally, Urumqi’s metro system connects the airport to the city center via Line 1, providing straightforward access to popular spots like Red Hill Park in about 1 hour.
By Train
Urumqi is a major railway junction, with trains connecting it to cities across China, such as Beijing, Xi’an, Lanzhou, and Chengdu. There are two major railway stations for you to choose: Urumqi Railway Station is the primary station for high-speed trains. It also has international connections, including a line to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Urumqi South Railway Station is Primarily serves conventional train routes to domestic destinations.
Learn more information and tips on getting to and traveling around Xinjiang.
Urumqi Transportation to Famous Attractions
How to Get Around Urumqi
Once you’ve arrived, there are several modes of Urumqi transport to help you navigate the city. The most rooted option among locals is Urumqi’s public transportation, with over 100 bus routes covering the entire city. The ticket fare is typically 1 RMB, cheaper if you hold a Hongshantong (红山通) card. Metro is still under development, but Line 1 runs along the city’s main spine, connecting key areas and popular destinations.
Taxis cost at 6 RMB for the first 2 kilometers. A common ride within the city will be 15-30 RMB. If you are searching for more flexibility, especially when visiting attractions outside the city or in remote areas, renting a private car or hiring a driver can be an excellent option. This allows you to avoid crowds and explore most of the map at your own pace.
Get to the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
This is the largest bazaar in the world, where you can stroll around to find Islamic-style architecture, various ethnic products from clothing, jewelry, handicrafts to local specialties and musical instruments. Located in the heart of Urumqi, the Grand Bazaar is easily accessible by Urumqi public transport. Take bus No. 6, No. 28, or No. 52 to reach the bazaar. Alternatively, taxis are readily available throughout the city.
Get to Heavenly Lake
Heavenly Lake is a beautiful alpine jewel nestled in the Tianshan Mountains, features filter-free beauty and untouched charm. The serene atmosphere just appeals to nature lovers and photography enthusiasts. You can take tourist buses to Heavenly Lake, with round-trip ticket around 60 RMB. If you rent a car, you’ll have the freedom to stop wherever you want and always have a soft spot to rest. The drive from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Get to Xinjiang Regional Museum
Xinjiang Regional Museum exhibits ancient artifacts, Buddhist sculptures, stunning textiles and more. Here you can find insights into prehistoric and modern-day life in Xinjiang. The museum is easily accessible by Urumqi’s public transportation. It is located in the Tianshan District. You can take bus No. 2 or No. 52 from the train station and get off at the Youyi Station. You’ll arrive at the museum after walking through the Youyi Market.
Get to Nanshan Pasture
Nanshan Pasture, just south of Urumqi, offers you a rejuvenating escape from bustling city life, into the warm hug of nature. You can feel so close to the sky and enjoy the wind kissing your hair- the scenery is just always instagram-ready. Wanna dive deeper? The horse-riding and staying in a cozy yurt and experience the Kazakh nomadic life. To get there, take a bus from Urumqi’s Northern Suburb Passenger Transport Station, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, or again, hire a private car or taxi for greater flexibility, with the 1.5-hour drive.
Urumqi Transportation to Nearby Cities
As an essential member of the ancient Silk Road, Xinjiang hides so many secrets to uncover. To make the most fun of your Xinjiang tour, we recommend to take into consideration nearby cities that were also key to Silk Road trade and cultural exchange. Here are the ways to get from Urumqi to some of the most chosen cities for an in-depth journey:
From Urumqi to Turpan
Turpan, known for its ancient ruins, spectacular desert landscapes, and traditional irrigation system, is located about 200 kilometers south-east of Urumqi. You can travel to Turpan:
- By train: High-speed trains 1-1.5 hours; regular ones 2-3 hours.
- By long-distance bus: 2-3 hours from Urumqi to Turpan, with buses frequently available throughout the day.
From Urumqi to Dunhuang
Dunhuang is an ancient oasis city on the edge of the Gobi Desert. People around the world hear her name for the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with Buddhist murals and sculptures. Located about 1,200 kilometers east of Urumqi, you can travel to Dunhuang:
- By flight:2 hours.
- By train: High-speed trains 6-7 hours; regular ones 10-12 hours.
- By long-distance bus:10-12 hours.
From Urumqi to Kashgar
Kashgar is one of the most ancient cities in Xinjiang, known for its Silk Road heritage, vibrant bazaars (more authentic and exotic vibe), and unique Uyghur culture. Located about 1,474 kilometers south-west of Urumqi, you can travel to Kashgar:
- By flight: 2 hours.
- By train: High-speed trains 12 hours; regular ones 15-29 hours.
- By long-distance bus:18-24 hours.
Roaming Xinjiang by Long-Distance Bus
If you would like to immerse yourself in an extended yet scenic journey, long-distance buses are a preferable option for transferring between cities in Xinjiang. The Northern Suburb Passenger Transport Station serves destinations in northern and eastern Xinjiang, including Ili, Burqin, and Karamay. The Southern Suburb Passenger Transport Station caters to southern destinations like Aksu, Kashgar, Turpan, and Hotan, while Nianzigou Passenger Transport Station operates routes to both southern and northern regions.
Exploring Xinjiang and the Silk Road
Urumqi has such well-connected transportation, just perfectly to serve as the base for exploring the expanse of China. Many travelers use the city as a start for their Silk Road expeditions. From Urumqi, you can easily navigate to iconic cities like Xian, the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terracotta Army; Zhangye, with its stunning Danxia Landform and Rainbow Mountains; and Jiayuguan, the westernmost point of the Great Wall, marking the end of the road for ancient traders.
Our Top Recommended Urumqi Tours
- 2 Days Classic Urumqi-Turpan Tour
- 12Days Silk Road Tour from Xi’an to Urumqi
- 4 Days Urumqi Scenic Tour for Nature Lovers
