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Hami: every bite of Hami melons holds a mouthful of sunshine
Hami is the easternmost gate of Xinjiang. It is adjacent to Ruoqiang County in the south, Mulei County and Shanshan County in the West and Southwest, and Mongolia in the north and northeast with 586.663 km of National boundary.
Hami is famous for Hami melon all over the country. It has a typical continental arid climate with a sharp temperature contrast between day and night and sufficient sunshine. Due to the geographical location of Hami, it is hot and humid in summer, which is quite different from other cities in Xinjiang that are hot and dry. Spring is windy and rainy, making willows green and peaches red. Winter has little snow.
Why visit Hami
A Long and Profound History-Hami serves as a key Silk Road gateway for over 2,000 years, with ancient beacon towers, city ruins and nine generations of Hami King's legacy.
Rich Cultural Heritage-It includes world-class pterosaur fossil sites, the historic Hami King's Palace, and well-preserved Silk Road relics.
Unique Ethnic Customs-Hami features Uyghur Muqam art, Kazakh grassland traditions, and diverse folk festivals that blend Central Asian and Chinese influences.
Striking Natural Landscape-Divided by the East Tianshan Mountains, Hami offers snow-capped peaks and lush grasslands in the north, alongside vast Gobi deserts and dramatic Yardang formations in the south, creating a "four seasons in one day" climate and scenery shift.
Balikun prairie
As the second-largest grassland in Xinjiang, Balikun prairie is well worth exploring. In early spring, melting snow gives way to fresh grass, drawing city dwellers to its open spaces. By summer, all in eyes are lush green grass and wildflowers in full bloom. When the wind blows, you'll see cattle and sheep grazing and their owners, serious Kazak herdsmen on horsebacks.
Hami Dahaidao Scenic Area
The Hami Dahaido Scenic Area in Xinjiang is China's only legal route for driving through an uninhabited area. For those who love wild, natural landscapes, this is a must-visit. The combination of the black Gobi Desert and the Yardang landform creates a beauty of desolation that is rarely seen. Driving through it feels like traveling through time. The breathtaking forms shaped by millennia will make you moved as if you were there billions of years ago.
Hami King's Palace
Hami King's Palace was the residence of the local Uyghur princes of Hami during the Qing Dynasty. Its construction began in the 45th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign, and it was later renovated and expanded by nine generations of Hami kings. The palace is magnificent in scale. Its architecture not only showcases the artistic features of classical Islamic architecture, but also incorporates the aesthetic characteristics of traditional Han Chinese architecture, making it the largest and most distinctive palatial complex in Xinjiang.The best time to visit is between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. Soft sunlight filters through the mosque windows, creating perfect photo spots for you.
Yiwu Poplar Forest
When autumn brings golden hues to plants and foliage, it will be the ideal season to explore the poplar forest. Known as "living fossils of the Tertiary Period", the poplar trees feature uniquely twisted, rugged trunks in fantastic shapes. Standing before a 6,000-year-old tree that remains standing despite its withered appearance, you will feel your worries fade away.
The scenic route stretches 38 kilometers, allowing you to drive and stop for photos at will. Watching the sunset here is highly recommended as the whole forest shifts from bright golden to warm orange.
Overall Climate of Hami
Spring (Mar–May):
Mild and dry with large temperature swings: 0–20°C (32–68°F); frequent windy and dusty days.
Summer (Jun–Aug):
Extremely hot and arid: 17–34°C (63–93°F), often exceeding 40°C (104°F) with strong sunshine.
Autumn (Sep–Nov):
Clear, cool and comfortable: 3–28°C (37–82°F), sunny days with little rainfall.
Winter (Dec–Feb):
Cold, dry and calm: -11–3°C (12–37°F), average low around -9°C (16°F), extreme minimum below -32°C (-26°F).
Best time to visit
For Photography Enthusiasts: (June-October)
Barkol Grassland blooms in summer; Yiwu Poplar Forest is golden from September to October; Balikun Lake, snow-capped mountains, Yardang landforms and Fantasy Color Lake show stunning scenery with warm light, ideal for shooting natural and cultural landscapes.
For Road Trip & Self-Driving Travelers: (June-October)
Hami is a paradise for self-driving travelers. You can drive across the East Tianshan Mountains and experience incredible scenery changes along the route—from fiery deserts and Yardang landforms to lush grasslands and snow-capped peaks.
The roads are in great condition with plenty of photo stops, and you can explore remote attractions like Yiwu Poplar Forest, Balikun Lake and the wild Dahaidao wilderness at your own pace. For off-road fans, the legally accessible desert crossing offers a unique adventure.
For Study-tour Visitors: (May-September)
Hami offers rich and diverse learning resources for study-tour visitors. It has unique geological landscapes such as Yardang landforms and ancient poplar forests, allowing in-person observation of landform evolution and ecological adaptation. As an important node on the ancient Silk Road, it preserves royal palaces, ancient cities and beacon ruins, providing a chance to study Silk Road history and multicultural integration.
For Outdoor & Grassland Holiday Visitors: (June- August)
The East Tianshan area offers cool, comfortable grasslands at around 20°C (68°F) in summer, with fresh alpine meadows, forests, lakes and snow-capped mountains. Visitors can enjoy horse riding, Kazakh yurt stays, hiking and quiet camping away from the heat. It provides a peaceful retreat with stunning natural scenery and authentic grassland folk experiences.
Hami is the easternmost gate of Xinjiang and also an important transportation hub. You can travel to Hami by flight or train from many major cities.
By flight:
-Beijing: From Beijing Capital International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (2h55-3h10).
-Xi'an: From Xi'an Xianyang International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (2h35).
-Lanzhou: From Lanzhou Zhongchuan International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (2h25).
-Chengdu: From Chengdu Tianfu/Shuangliu International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (3h).
-Zhengzhou: From Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (3h15).
-Jinan: From Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (3h30).
-Luoyang: From Luoyang Beijiao Airport to Hami Yizhou Airport (3h).
By Train:
-Urumqi: High-speed trains from Urumqi to Hami (2h29-2h50).
-Lanzhou: Direct trains from Lanzhou to Hami (12-14h).
-Xi'an: Direct trains from Xi'an North to Hami (18-20h).
-Zhengzhou: Direct trains from Zhengzhou to Hami (25h22-27h55).
-Shanghai: Direct trains from Shanghai to Hami (36-38h).
-Guangzhou: Direct trains from Guangzhou to Hami (40-42h).
Transportation within Hami Hami has a well-developed urban transport system, with buses, taxis, and car rental services covering the city and surrounding attractions.
By Bus
-Routes&Fare: About 12 bus lines operate in the urban area; fares are ¥1-2 per ride.
-Hours: Typically 8:30 AM-8:30 PM (varies by route).
-Key Stops: Hami Railway Station, city center (Dashizi), government area, and major commercial zones.
By Taxi
-Fares (Daytime: 5 AM-11 PM): Base fare: ¥5≤3km; Additional: ¥1.4/km＞3km
-Fares (Nighttime: 11 PM-5 AM): Base fare: ¥7≤3km; Additional: ¥1.96/km＞3 km
-Service: 24-hour availability; ideal for short trips and travelling with heavy luggage.
By Car Rental & Self-Driving
-Best for: Exploring scattered attractions (e.g., Hami Grand Canyon, Balikun Grassland).
-Tips: For remote areas like Dahaidao, rent an SUV or 4WD; download offline maps (poor cell service in some zones).
Airport & Railway Station Transfers
-Airport→City: Bus No.6 (¥1.5, about 20 mins) or taxi (about ¥20).
-Railway Station→City: Buses No.1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12; or taxi (about 20 mins).
Accommodation
Hotels in Hami is mainly concentrated in the downtown Yizhou District, with options for all budgets. Budget hotels near the railway station are affordable and convenient, mid-range chain hotels offer comfortable facilities, and higher-end hotels and folk inns provide better comfort. You can also stay in yurts around Balikun Grassland for a unique local experience.
Maps of Hami you might need
Urumqi → five-colored (Yardan Landform) → Mulei Diversiform-leaved Poplar Forest → Hami → Kumtag Desert → Tuyoq village → Urumqi
Xinjiang Tour: Hami and Balikun. Experience the vast grassland in Balikun and eastern Xinjiang Hami. You will also visit the famous trading post of Turpan to experience the profound history and culture ancient Silk Road.
