The Xinjiang Museum

The Xinjiang Museum is located in Shayibake District, Urumqi, serving as the provincial museum of Xinjiang. It showcases the region's rich history and diverse ethnic cultures, featuring unique exhibits rarely seen elsewhere in China, including a mummy exhibition. The collections highlight distinctive Xinjiang characteristics, where visitors can view famous artifacts like the ancient "Loulan Beauty" mummy and the Han Dynasty brocade with the inscription "Five Stars Rise in the East." This museum is an unmissable attraction in Urumqi.

The museum is a modern three-story building that uniquely blends Xinjiang's architectural elements like arched windows and domes. It houses several permanent exhibition halls. The first floor features displays of Xinjiang's ethnic culture and ancient historical artifacts. The second floor is divided into two sections: the left side showcases textile exhibits through the ages and the "Forever With Our Motherland" thematic exhibition, while the right side displays ancient mummies and a white jade exhibition hall. Additionally, the museum frequently hosts temporary exhibitions - visitors can catch these special displays when available.

The Xinjiang Ethnic Culture Exhibition Hall is located on the first floor, showcasing the folk customs of 12 major ethnic groups in Xinjiang including the Uyghur, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Xibe peoples. Visitors can see displays of their musical instruments, daily necessities, yurts, and traditional dwellings, as well as colorful ethnic costumes like hats and scarves that vividly represent Xinjiang's minority cultures. A particularly distinctive feature is the Xibe people's house—since this group migrated from northeast China, their traditional dwellings still include the classic northeastern heated brick bed (kang). Additionally, the Russian-style furniture and tableware on display are equally unique and characteristic.

The Ancient Historical Artifacts Exhibition of Xinjiang showcases a variety of unearthed relics from the Silk Road, spanning from ancient times to the present. It features numerous artifacts from China's Central Plains during the Han and Tang dynasties, highlighting distinctive ancient Chinese characteristics. Additionally, the exhibition presents a wealth of cultural relics from the Western Regions, including murals depicting angelic figures and numerous objects with unique Western Region features. These artifacts embody Xinjiang's role as a bridge between East and West, making this exhibition a must-see.

Open exhibition hall

"Wisdom of Light - Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Exhibition" (Hall 1), "Historical Artifacts of National Governance in Xinjiang Exhibition" (Hall 2), "Only This Turquoise - Kizil Grottoes Mural Art Appreciation" (Hall 4), "Ancient Mummies of Xinjiang Exhibition" (Hall 5), "Always Follow the Party - Xinjiang Revolutionary History Theme Exhibition" (Hall 6), "Xinjiang Historical Artifacts Exhibition" (Halls 7, 8, 9), "Chinese Annals - Xinjiang Unearthed Documents Exhibition" (Hall 10), "Silk Road Musical Instruments Exhibition" (Hall 11), "Chinese Splendor - National Treasure Exhibition of the 'Five Stars Rising in the East Benefit China' Brocade Armband" (Hall 12), "Return to the Homeland - Xinjiang Artifacts from the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong Periods Exhibition" (Hall 13).