Urumqi Travel Tips

Useful Telephone Numbers

• City Code: 0991
• Zip code: 830000
• Fire: 119 Ambulance: 120 Police: 110
• Emergency Center: 0991-2833000
• Tourist Complaint: 0991-2831902
• Diwopu Airport: 0991-3801453

Post Offices

• Development Area Post Office: No.316 Zhongya South Road
• Chengzhuti Post Office: No.194 Wuyi Road
• Bagang Post Office: Zhaoyangxijie Strert
• Daqinglu Post Office: No443 Aletai Road
• Global EMS Express: No173 Tianchi Road

Time of Sunrise

Because of the use of a single time zone for all of China, the sun is 2 hours and 10 minutes behind China Standard Time (CST = UTC+8). During early January the sun does not rise until 09:45 and it sets between 18:45 and 19:10 local time. In September and March the sun rises around 08:00, and sets around 19:45. However, in June the sun rises at about 06:25 and does not set until 21:45.

Temperature

There are large day and night temperature difference in Urumqi, which could reach 10 to 15 degrees or so, so pay attention to keep warm. In the period of May, June, September and October, you should bring sweaters and woolen overcoat, especially when you spend your night in Heaven Lake of Celestial Mountains or visit Nanshan Pasture, Kanas Lake, No.1 Glacier of Tianshan Mountains, Bayanbulak Grassland, etc.

Eating

Xinjiang is famous for its fruit, so it is a great pleasure to eat fruit there. But you must not drink hot tea after eating fruit in case of suffering from diarrhea.

Security Check

You’d better consult those who know the place well if you want to ride bikes or rent cars to do your own travel here, because there are too many unpredictable factors of Xinjiang tourism.

Sun Protection

Parts of Xinjiang get high elevation so the ultraviolet radiation is quite strong. Also, some places meet hot weather, for example, the highest temperature Turpan can reach more than 40 degrees in summer. So you may need to take some sun-protection items and medicine used to clear or prevent heat.

Religion

The main ethnic minorities of northern Xinjiang are Uygur and Kazak, and there are other nationalities as well. It is a place that has religious color. For example, those who believe in Islamism do not eat pork, so you’d better care about what you say and eat in some restaurants. If not sure things don't go to bargain. Some people have some taboos, so please be understanding and respect.

Security Check

Security check there is very strict. At the airport, all the empty pockets are required to check. You may be asked to take off the shoes and then your feet are needed to be scanned. There would be secondary security check at the boarding channels.

Others

Xinjiang ethic handicraft knives are not allowed to consign.

You’d better not wear contact lenses because of dry climate there, and it’s not convenient to clean in some areas of poor accommodation.

In some parts of the sparsely populated, accommodation is not very convenient. If you have plan to those places, you could only bring your cars or bring their own tents.