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Beijing, China
Urumqi, Uygur Autonomous Region, China

Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the most 'inland' city in the world. With a population of two million gaily-dressed ethnic inhabitants, the city is likened to a piece of emerald embedded at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains. It lies in the lofty ice-capped Bogda Peak and vast Salt Lake in the east; in the rolling pine-covered Southern hill, a well-known scenic district, in the south; and in the alternating fields and sand dunes of Zunggar Basin in the northwest.

The temperature in Urumqi widely ranges between day and night as it belongs to the semi-arid continental climate of middle temperate zone. The climate is extremely arid due to long period of sunlight and bare precipitation. It has shorter spring and autumn; and longer winter and summer. May to October is the golden season for traveling to Urumqi, when flowers are in full bloom and the fruits, like melons, are ripe with its fragrance. Here we should indicate that there are two hours time difference between Xinjiang and Beijing.

Tourist resources of Urumqi have its own advantages and distinctions, which are strategically important in the ancient Silk Road that assembles the cultures of both eastern and western countries. The most famous tourist spots among the numerous cultural relics and natural landscapes include the Heavenly Lake, the Southern Pastures, the Red Hill, the Southern Mosque, the Tartar Mosque, and the Xinjiang Regional Museum.

In recent years, the city of Urumqi has continuously developed its economy, industry, culture as well as tourism and transportation. More choices for accommodation and dining, ranging from luxury hotels to budget hostels and from western restaurants to the local food street have been established. Nightlife in Urumqi provides multiple-range of choices such as watching the ethnic sing-and-dance show, tasting native delicacies in the night market, or simply hanging out in bars. Coming to Urumqi will not let you return to your country empty-handed. Shopping in the International Grand Bazaar is a pleasant experience. Bargain hunting for handicraft souvenirs such as rugs, carpets, Uygur-style hats, knitted sweaters, ethnic costumes, hand-made embroideries and jade carvings, will definitely draw your intense interest.

Karamay, means the black oil in the Uygur language, got the name from the natural black Asphalt Hill on the north of the city. The park is built near to the Heiyoushan (Black Oil Hill). The park is similar to any other parks in China. However, the two highlights in the park made it unique from others. One is the sculpture group of the exploiter of the oil field in the 1950s. The other is the well effuses the black crude oil. Besides the spots in the park, you will meet some oil workers and feel their way of life. Then, drive on to the Wuerhe Demon City in the Wuerhe County of 96 kilometers northward from Karamay City. The ghost city has another name called the windy city. Judging from the two names, you may see some feature of this place. Actually, the ghost city is a area with typical grand and marvelous Yadan Landforms. Located in the desert and Gobi, it is one of the most famous four ghost cities in China. The intermittent flood and erosion corrosion of the strong wind worked together on this land for years and thus formed the magic landscape. Viewed from a distance, the ghost city looks like an ancient medieval castle with a sense of desolation and terror. The richer imagination you have, the more view you may see here. After the visit, return back to Karamay and end the tour.