The temperature in Urumqi fluctuates greatly between day and night. Urumqi is extremely dry due to its geographical location and continental climate. Spring and autumn are short while winter and summer are long. Remote as it is, the local inhabitants fondly call it 'Urumqi' which translates to mean graceful pasture.

Spring in Urumqi comes comparatively late. Usually the northern suburb of Urumqi has the first touch of spring in late March, the downtown area some two weeks later and the southern suburb ten days later again. Urumqi in summer is flowery and lush. Summer lasts typically for about 90 days in the northern suburb and about 60 days in the downtown area. Urumqi is an ideal place for a summer holiday when the average downtown temperature is about 23 C (about 73.4 F). From late August, autumn comes to Urumqi, a golden season of fruit harvests. In October you will experience fluctuations between day and night temperatures. The temperature of the long winter in Urumqi is around -15 C (about 5 F), but the scenery makes up for the cold at that time.

The best period for visiting Urumqi is from May to October when flowers are in full bloom and the melons and fruits smell sweet and are ripe for the picking. Dress warmly even when traveling in the hottest month (July and August) for the temperature differences between morning and night. Be sure to bring a sweater and trench coat in May, June, September and October. During the cold winter (November to March), you will need heavy winter wear.

Population: about 1.88 million
Area: 10,989 square km (about 4,243 square miles)
Zip code: 830000
Area Code 0991
Hospital:
Urumqi No. 1 People's Hospital
Address: 91, Jiankang Lu
Urumqi Shi You Yi Hospital
Address: 22, Shengli Lu
Emergency Numbers
Fire: 119
Traffic: 122
Ambulance: 120
Police: 110
Useful Numbers
First Aid Center of Urumqi: 2833000
Zip code inquiring: 184
Phone number inquiring: 114
Tourist complaint: 2831902

Post office:
Yangzijiang Lu Branch (city center): 4, Yangzijiang Lu
Jie Fang Bei Lu Branch (city center): 61, Jiefang Bei Lu
Beijing Lu Branch (south suburb): 5, Henan Xi Lu
Money
Urumqi Branch of Bank of China offers currency exchange service. Address: 343, Jiefang Nan Lu.

Special Touring Regions: