Urumqi
Capital of the Far Northwest
Inner Mongolia's neighbour in the far west — Urumqi sits further from any ocean than any city on Earth, and the Grand Bazaar stacks Uyghur carpets, naan ovens and dried fruit into a bazaar the size of a suburb. Most Xinjiang journeys start or finish here.
Don't miss
- The Grand Bazaar's Uyghur crafts and food stalls
- Xinjiang Regional Museum
- Gateway to the Tianshan
Best time to visit: May–October
Visas: Australian passport holders currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days — an arrangement scheduled to end on 31 December 2026, so confirm the rules for your travel dates.