The Ancient City of Urabo in Urumqi
Attractions Overview
The site is slightly square, 550 meters in length from north to south, 450 meters in width from east to west, more than 2 kilometers in circumference of the city. The city wall is tall and generous, with a residual height of 4 meters and a base width of 5 meters. The four corners of the city wall and the city gates protrude outward.
Chinese Name: 乌拉泊古城
English Name: The Ancient City of Urabo in Urumqi
Type: Urumqi Scenic Area, Urumqi famous spots & Urumqi attractions
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 2-3 hours
Location: It is located at Lake Wulabo, about 10km west-south of Urumqi, Xinjiang.
Why is The Ancient City of Urabo So Special?
The ancient city is littered with pottery pieces dating back to the Tang and Song Dynasties, and a small number of Yuan Dynasty pottery pieces have also been unearthed. Nearby farmers also picked up many round square-hole copper coins from the ancient city of Qing Dynasty, including those from Ganlong to Guangxu. Through these relics of different times, it is conceivable that this ancient city has experienced thousands of years of historical vicissitudes.
Where is The Ancient City of Urabo
Located in the suburb 10 kilometers to the south of Urumqi, the site is the earliest and most complete one with best preservation in Urumqi, and a unit of the cultural relics under the protection of the autonomous region.
History of The Ancient City of Urabo
The existence of the ancient city of Urumqi not only proves the history of Urumqi and the history of commercial and cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, but also shows that the central government stationed troops in the ancient city of Urumqi in Xinjiang more than 1,000 years ago. It is the earliest and best preserved ancient city under Urumqi’s jurisdiction. However, it is so close to the urban area that it can be said to be the origin of Urumqi, which is of great value to the study of the development of Urumqi’s urban history and is also an important historic site for people to visit ancient Urumqi.
On June 25, 2001, the ancient city of Wulabo was selected by the State Council as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units.
Main Attraction of The Ancient City of Urabo
Most scholars believe it’s the ruins of Luntai county established in 22nd year of Zhenguan reign of Tang Dynasty (648). A rammed construction with barbican entrances, the site is 550m long from south to north, 450m wide from east to west and still remains walls about 4m in height. A rammed inner city wall divides the whole city into three parts, each with barbican entrance and watchtower. The city is probably abandoned at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. Pieces of poetry, coins and architectural components have been unearthed here and they provide impotant materials for the study of the developing history and architectural history of Urumqi.
The ancient city is more than a thousand years old. Some people think that it is Luntai City in the Tang Dynasty. Cultural relics from Liao and Yuan dynasties, such as pottery pots, pottery pots, lotus-patterned square bricks, ancient coins and jade articles, have been found on the city’s interior and are now listed as national key cultural relics protection units.
Some people think that it should be Luntai City, an important town on the northern route of the Silk Road in Tang Dynasty, but others hold negative opinions. However, one thing is certain, that is, the ancient city of Urumqi is the oldest and best preserved ancient city within Urumqi’s jurisdiction. However, it is so close to the urban area that it can be said to be the origin of Urumqi, which is of great value to the study of the development of Urumqi’s urban history and is also an important historic site for people to visit ancient Urumqi.
Recommended Xinjiang Tour Packages
- 1 Day Urumqi City Tour with Xinjiang Museum and Nanshan Pasture
- 1 Day Urumqi City Tour with Heavenly Lake and Grand Bazaar
- 8 Days Silk Road Highlights Tour from Dunhuang to Urumqi
- 9 Days Silk Road Tour and Kanas Lake Adventure from Dunhuang to Urumqi
- 7 Days Northern Xinjiang Tour with Kanas Lake Adventure
Best Time to Travel The Ancient City of Urabo
The best time to come to Urumqi is every autumn, that is, August and September.
At this time, the weather has begun to become cool and melons and fruits have begun to mature. It is a very suitable time to travel. At this time, most scenic spots begin to hang attractive golden colors. Let’s tour in the golden ocean. The natural scenery in various parts of Urumqi is very beautiful. In our spare time, we bring our family to Urumqi to play, eat delicious melons and fruits, and enjoy the different local conditions and customs here. I believe this is a very beautiful moment and a very happy memory.
How to Get There
- By bus
Take bus no 312 at Urumqi south railway station, or bus no 528 at sun moon starlight garden and bus no 9 at santongbei to shuixigou toll station to change to buses no 312 and 528
Useful Travel Tips
Admission Fee: | 20 yuan/person |
Opening Hours: | all day long |
Tips:
- People who come here usually return to Urumqi on the same day. If they are equipped, you can also set up tents in the open space inside the ruins, but only with the prior approval of the village committee.
- The wind in the ruins is stronger than the wind outside, and the moonlight will be very good at night. Camp can also be set up by the lake of Ulapor.