Introduction: It is a grand palace architecture in Xinjiang, with a unique style that combines the Central Plains culture and the Western Regions culture. Here, you can experience the historical heritage of Hami and the life scene of the royal palace in the past.
Tourist Tips: You can follow the tour guide in the scenic area to deeply understand its historical stories and architectural features. The tour time is about 2 3 hours.
Hami Devil City
Introduction: It is a typical Yardang landform. Under the uncanny workmanship of nature, various peculiar landform landscapes such as castles, palaces, and pagodas have been formed, which are very spectacular. Especially at sunset, the scenery is even more shocking.
Tourist Tips: It is recommended to take the sightseeing bus in the scenic area for sightseeing. The bus will stop at several viewing platforms for tourists to take photos. The tour time is 3 4 hours. Pay attention to sun protection and sand prevention measures.
Barkol Grassland
Introduction: It is one of the three major grasslands in Xinjiang. The water and grass are lush, and there are herds of cattle and sheep. In the distance, there are continuous snow-capped mountains. In summer, wildflowers are in full bloom on the grassland, just like a picturesque scene. There are also Kazakh herdsmen living here, where you can experience the rich grassland customs.
Tourist Tips: You can ride a horse on the grassland, visit Kazakh yurts, taste special dairy products, and watch or participate in some traditional grassland activities such as horse racing and sheep catching. It is recommended to spend about 1 day here. You can choose to stay in a homestay or yurt near the grassland for one night to experience the night on the grassland.
Iwu Populus Euphratica Forest Ecological Park Scenic Area
Introduction: It is one of the only three remaining Populus Euphratica forests in the world. The shapes of Populus Euphratica are various and strange. It has the reputation of “living for three thousand years without dying, dying for three thousand years without falling, and falling for three thousand years without decaying”. It presents different beauty in different seasons. Especially in autumn, the golden Populus Euphratica contrasts beautifully with the blue sky and desert.
Tourist Tips: The scenic area is relatively large. You can take the shuttle bus in the scenic area. The tour time is about 4 5 hours. Remember to bring enough water and food.
Best Tourist Seasons
Spring (March May): The weather is getting warmer, and the Barkol Grassland begins to recover. Wildflowers gradually bloom, which is suitable for tourists who like to see the spring scenery of the grassland and take photos.
Summer (June August): It is the peak tourist season in Hami. The Barkol Grassland is lush and beautiful, suitable for summer vacation and experiencing grassland customs; the scenery of Devil City and other places is also more distinctive under the summer sunlight.
Autumn (September November): The Iwu Populus Euphratica Forest enters the viewing period. The golden Populus Euphratica decorates the whole scenic area into a fairy tale world, which is very suitable for photography and sightseeing.
Winter (December February): You can experience the ice and snow activities in Hami, such as skiing at Tianshan Ski Resort. Moreover, there are relatively fewer tourists in winter, and you can enjoy a more quiet tourist atmosphere.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane: Hami Airport has flights to cities such as Urumqi, Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an. You can choose a suitable flight to Hami according to the city where you are.
Train: Hami is an important railway hub in Xinjiang. The Lanzhou Xinjiang Railway passes through here. There are direct trains to Hami from major cities in Xinjiang such as Urumqi and some cities in the inland, with convenient transportation.
Internal Transportation
Bus: The urban area of Hami has bus lines covering the main areas, but to go to some remote scenic spots, you may need to transfer or take a long-distance bus.
Tourist Charter: If you want to go to the surrounding scenic spots such as Devil City and Barkol Grassland, it is recommended to choose a tourist charter. In this way, you can arrange the itinerary more freely, and the driver is usually familiar with the local road conditions and scenic spots and can provide some practical travel suggestions.
Self-driving: If you have the conditions for self-driving, it is also a good choice. While enjoying the scenery along the way, you can control the play time more flexibly. However, pay attention to the road conditions and weather changes in Xinjiang and make travel plans and vehicle inspections in advance.
Food Guide
Specialty Foods
Hami Melon
Introduction: The Hami Melon is named after Hami and is one of the most famous local specialties. It is sweet, crisp, and has thick flesh. There are various varieties, such as Xizhoumi and Jiashi Melon, which are very popular.
Tasting Tips: You can buy fresh Hami Melons at local fruit stalls and markets to taste, or taste desserts made from Hami Melons in some restaurants, such as Hami Melon Cup.
Hand-grabbed Mutton
Introduction: High-quality mutton from the local area is cooked simply, retaining the original flavor of the mutton. The meat is tender and usually eaten with seasonings such as onions and salt.
Tasting Tips: You can taste authentic Hand-grabbed Mutton in some halal restaurants. When eating, you can eat it directly with your hands to experience the bold diet culture of Xinjiang.
Grilled Mutton Skewers
Introduction: It is a classic Xinjiang cuisine. The Grilled Mutton Skewers in Hami use fresh mutton with a proper mix of fat and lean meat. They are roasted on a special grill and sprinkled with seasonings such as cumin and chili powder, which are fragrant.
Tasting Tips: You can taste them at night markets and barbecue stalls. They taste best when eaten hot, and you can’t stop eating one skewer after another.
Barkol Mutton Stew with Pancakes
Introduction: After the mutton is stewed until cooked and tender, a rolled-out thin pancake is spread on it and continue to stew. The pancake absorbs the broth of the mutton and becomes delicious, and the mutton also becomes more mellow.
Tasting Tips: This is a cuisine that combines staple food and dishes. You can taste it in local restaurants in Barkol. It is suitable for sharing among multiple people.
Hami Traditional Copper Hot Pot
Introduction: Using a copper pot as the utensil, the bottom of the pot has a variety of ingredients such as meatballs, jia sha (a kind of fried food), vermicelli, cabbage, and mushrooms. Then a layer of mutton is spread on it, and high soup is added for stewing. It is steaming hot and suitable for eating in winter.
Tasting Tips: You can eat it in some hot pot restaurants or specialty restaurants in the urban area of Hami. When eating, you can add chili oil, vinegar and other seasonings according to personal taste.
Food Streets/Restaurant Recommendations
Baonong Qiyi Night Market: It is one of the liveliest night markets in Hami, with various food stalls. There are all kinds of Xinjiang specialty snacks from grilled skewers and hand-grabbed rice to other snacks. The prices are affordable. You can eat while walking around and experience the hustle and bustle of Hami.
Dashi Commercial Street: There are many restaurants and snack shops here where you can taste relatively authentic Hami cuisine. Moreover, there are relatively complete shopping and entertainment facilities around. You can taste delicious food while shopping and playing.
Yizhou District Ayixiamu Special Hand-grabbed Rice: The hand-grabbed rice in this restaurant is very distinctive. The rice grains are distinct, and the mutton is tender. You can also match it with the side dishes and yogurt in the restaurant to eat. It is a good place to taste hand-grabbed rice.
