Urumqi

Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China. It is located in the northern foothills of the Tianshan mountains, at the edge of the Urumqi River basin, a key crossroads between Central Asia and China. The city is among the most inland large urban centers in the country and functions as a political, economic, and transportation hub for Xinjiang.

Demographically, Urumqi is diverse, with Uyghur and Han Chinese forming the largest communities and with Kazakh and other minority groups also represented. The city has grown as Xinjiang’s administrative and commercial center, housing universities, markets, and cultural institutions.

Historically, the area has long served as a caravan stop on the Silk Road. In the modern era, it developed rapidly as a logistics and industrial center and became the capital of Xinjiang during the early years of the People’s Republic of China (1954).

Its economy includes energy-related industries, manufacturing, logistics, and retail, with the city acting as a major trade and service center for the region. Urumqi is also a key transport hub, served by Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and rail connections on the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway and the Northern Xinjiang Railway, as well as road networks.

Geographically, the city experiences a continental arid climate with hot summers and cold winters, and relatively low annual precipitation. Education and research institutions, including Xinjiang University, contribute to the region’s higher-education infrastructure.