Urumqi map

Urumqi was originally a city that developed due to the Qing Dynasty's garrison in Xinjiang. In 1763, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty expanded the city and renamed it Dihua. In 1884, Dihua became the capital of Xinjiang Province and has since become the political center of Xinjiang. In 1954, Dihua was renamed "Urumqi", which means "beautiful pasture" in Mongolian.

Urumqi is located in northwest China, central Xinjiang, and the hinterland of the Eurasian continent. It is located at the northern foot of the North Tianshan Mountains and the southern edge of the Junggar Basin. It borders Turpan City from Chakmaktag to Dahe in the east; Toutun River and Changji City in the west; it borders the Nanshan Mining Area from Kalatage-Kizilyi in the south. The protruding part turns to the southeast and is connected to Toksun County along the east side of Weiluk-Alagou. It is adjacent to Heshuo County to the south of Xiazege Ridgeline 3; to the southwest it is adjacent to Hejing County; and to the north along the Bogda Ridge it is bounded by Jimsar County and Fukang City.