Urumqi

Urumqi is the political, industrial and economic capital of Xinjiang, and by far the largest city in the region, with a population of 1.5 million. Its name means "beautiful pastures" - a slightly misleading description these days, even though a luxuriant grassland and deep-blue Tianchi Lake see in snow-covered Tianshan mountain 110 km to the east of the city. Occupying a strategic point on ancient and modern Silk Road, Urumqi offers travelers a magnificent museum, and acts as a transportation hub linking to other parts of China, Russia and Central Asia.

Highlights:

Xinjiang Autonomous Region Museum - it boasts a large and interesting collection discovered in the region since 1950's.
Tianchi Lake - 110km east of Urumqi, an unspoiled natural haven surrounded by grass meadow, pine forest and snow-capped mountains. And a glimpse at the semi-nomadic Kazakhs people's life.