Hami

Hami, also transliterated Kumul, is a prefecture-level city in eastern Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It comprises the urban area of Hami City, which serves as the administrative center, and surrounding rural counties within the prefecture-level city. The city is located on the northern rim of the Tarim Basin.

The region has an arid climate with hot summers and cold winters. Irrigation supports oasis agriculture in the surrounding valleys and towns, making fruit and vegetable cultivation a key local activity.

Demographics in Hami include Uyghurs, Han Chinese, Kazakhs, Hui, and other groups. Mandarin is the official language, while Uyghur and Kazakh are also spoken in various communities.

Economy in Hami is centered on agriculture, especially fruit production such as melons; the Hami melon is iconic and widely recognized. The area also engages in animal husbandry and related processing industries, with tourism tied to Silk Road heritage and local agricultural products contributing to the economy.

History of the area reflects its long-standing role along the Silk Road, with various empires and cultures influencing settlement and trade patterns. In modern times, Hami has been established as a prefecture-level city within Xinjiang and developed as an urban and economic center in eastern Xinjiang.

Transportation networks connect Hami by road and rail as part of Xinjiang’s broader transportation system, linking it with other regional cities and facilitating trade and mobility.