Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Han Chinese form the majority but there is also a substantial Uyghur minority.
The bustling city has
an air pollution problem, caused by cars and the prolific use of coal for industry, heating and cooking.
The Museum is well
worth a visit, not only for the huge iron meteorite but also for the well preserved 4000 years old
Tarim mummies that are
on display.
In the Tang dynasty, nearby Luntai was an important rest stop at the Silk Road.
In 1755 a fort was built
here for the Qing soldiers that helped commit the Dzungar genocide.
The Uyghurs unrest hit Urumqi in 2009, leaving
hundreds of Han Chinese dead. Since then severe measures have been implemented to control and suppress the ethnic Uyghurs and
Kazakhs.
We visited a local fresh market in Urumqi In October 2003
we visit a local fresh produce market at the city outskirts
there is ample choice
These poor ducks cannot flee because their feet are tied together
cargo bikes are the favorite means of transport here
because we have a plane to catch
the Urumqi Holiday Inn is for overseas visitors
The Urumqi iron meteorite from 1898 weighs 30 tons and sits outside the museum
waiting for a customer
seems like chinese can sleep everywhere
our guide is in a hurry