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Learn about Urumqi, China by reading Quick
Getaways-Discovering Kazakh Tribe and Yurts by Sandy Zimmerman, Travel Writer. It features a mini, but thorough
tour of the destination, plus all you'll need to know to plan your
trip including getting there, objective information on places to
stay and eat, and things to do. At the end of the article, we've
provided a summary of the contact information for your easy
reference. Enjoy!
Quick
Getaways-Discovering the Kazakh Tribe and Yurts
by Sandy Zimmerman,
Travel Writer and WTA Member
Inside yurt- 2 Kazakh children entertaining visitors
At first, I was
excited to be invited on Marco Polo’s Silk Road tour. Then I thought, “Why am I
going to such a desolate desert area that is only visited by a small number of
Europeans and even fewer Americans?” Well, the hotels and restaurants were first
class, the sights unbelievable, and I will never forget the trip.
After landing
in Beijing, we spent a few days there, and then flew to Urumqi (pronounced room
key), the capitol and most modern city of the Xinjiang region. Located in
China's far northwest frontier, Urumqi is influenced by its minorities. Visitors
are startled at the striking similarity between Urumqi's streets and those
inside many Arabic countries. Urumqi's Muslim women wear long dresses and veils
to screen them from public view in the fashion of their religion. The men wear
traditional skull caps (called "dopas ") embroidered according to each region.
The modern and ancient worlds merge as farmers vie with traffic to lead their
sheep across city streets. Urumqi is a new city by Chinese standards (1763).
2 men riding in donkey cart on Urumqi street
Side Trips
Just 62 miles
southeast of Urumqi, the lovely alpine Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake) in the cool
Tianshan Mountains (Heavenly Mountains) (altitude of 6,000 feet) is a contrast
to the desert scenery. One exciting stop is the Poplar Valley summer home of the
colorful Kazakh herdsmen. From May to October, the Kazakh tribe brings their
livestock (camels, horses, cattle, yaks, goats, and sheep) to the mountains to
graze. These families settle in yurts along the shores of the Tianchi Lake and
throughout the mountain region. The yurt is a round tent formed on a collapsible
lattice of wooden frames and covered with stretched animal skins or felt. These
skins form the yurt's outer walls using only one layer in the summer and three
in the winter. Inside, the yurt is decorated with colorful hand woven rugs and
blankets arranged along the walls and across the floor. The wood burning stove
in the center of the yurt doubles for the purpose of cooking and keeping the
tent warm. The flap across a hole in the ceiling opens and closes by the touch
of ropes to allow ventilation and light. In keeping with the Kazakh's seasonal
migrations, the yurt is easily dissembled, gathered together in a package, and
carried on camel/oxen driven carts- along with their wives, children, and all
the families possessions.
Inside yurt- Tasting the Kazakh's food
It was a thrill
to watch the Kazakh people engage in their daily activities- racing horses, goat
tussle, boy and girl chase on horseback, tending their flocks and herds, playing
traditional folk games, dancing and posing for pictures. Not only can tourists
observe the friendly Kazakhs, they are invited inside the yurts to experience
their lifestyle! We sat on cushions on the floor while the Kazakh children
entertained with traditional songs and dances. The women brought samples of home
baked disc-like cakes, cheese, milk tea, lamb kebabs, and other delicacies to
their guests. The Kazakh men are a striking picture dressed in fox pelt hats,
sash, cloak and boots. Instead of just looking at the outside of the yurts and
homes, we met the people and saw how they live! I rode a camel in Marrakesh,
Morocco, and decided to try again here. Camels walk on each leg separately with
a swimming motion. When I sat on the camel, he raised his right back leg first,
then the left, finally repeating with his front legs.
Yurt
Place To
Stay
The Xinjiang
Grand Hotel Urumqi (formally the Holiday Inn) stands out in the desert or
anywhere else it would be located. It is more luxurious than any of the other
Holiday Inns in the U. S. Elegant, modern, beautiful- the Urumqi Inn meets the
needs of today's traveler. Adorned with a marble staircase and floor, the
spacious lobby sets the stage for a pleasant stay. Choose from three
restaurants: Muslim cuisine in a distinctly Uygur setting, the elegant Cantonese
and Sichuan room, or western and international dining. We tried each restaurant
and they were all great! Snooker, a health club, spa, hot and cold Jacuzzi,
sauna, aquatic exercise machine, steam bath, mahjong room, video room, Karaoke
lounge, disco, meeting rooms, business center, shops, beauty salon, bar.
Details
Getting There:
Xinjiang borders on Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kirgizstan,
Tajikistan, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
- China Southern Airlines - Several
daily flights from Beijing to Urumqi.
- Air China
Place To Stay:
Xinjiang Grand Hotel - Rated 4 stars. It is a luxury resort with 383
rooms and 14 suites, conference room, business center, gym, and
cocktail lounge. Located in the center of the city. No. 168, North Xinhua Road, Urumqi, (86-991)-281-8788,
(8621)-3304-1061, (8621)-6322-3855.
Places To Eat:
Most of the larger hotels have several restaurants which feature
western, Chinese, and Muslim cuisine. Street vendors sell tasty
mini-lamb shish-ka-bobs, which are quite reasonable.
Tourist Information:
Members of the China International Travel Service (CITS) arrange
invitations to a Kazakh yurt or wealthy Uigur family homes, provide
information regarding horseback rides, nature hikes, and for the
more adventurous tourists, a night in a yurt or camel rides! They
will also advise you about tours. CITS also makes arrangements for
your visas.
www.citsusa.com
CITS - Los Angeles, 626-568-8993, 975 East Green Street, Suite 101,
Pasadena, CA 91106
C.I.T.S - New
York, 718- 261-7329, 71-01 Austin Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375
Notice: This information
is current as of February 2005. It is recommended that you contact the
numbers, and/or visit the websites above to determine any changes to the
information.
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