Hongshan Park Travel Guide
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The Red Hill in the center of Urumqi: The pagoda at the top is a city landmark, and it only takes about ten minutes to climb to see the whole city and the snow line of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains. This article explains the opening hours and photography spots.
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Destination Details
Hongshan Park is a free urban park in the center of Urumqi, with a small purplish-red sandstone hill standing abruptly among the buildings. At the top of the hill is the Zhenlong Pagoda, built during the Qing Dynasty, which is the most photogenic landmark in the city. Locals love to come here for morning exercises and evening walks.
What to See
- Zhenlong Pagoda and the Distant View Tower: It takes about 15 minutes to climb to the top. On a clear day, you can see Bogda Peak's snowline to the east and have a panoramic view of the city to the west.
- At Sunset: The first city lights paired with the silhouette of Hongshan make it a favorite spot for local photographers.
- Main Gate of the Great Buddha Temple: Red walls against the blue sky easily make for beautiful photos.
Suggested Route
The park is adjacent to the city center commercial area. It's ideal to take a walk here on your first day in Urumqi to help with jet lag, which takes about an hour. Afterwards, you can walk or take a taxi to the Xinjiang Museum to see the "Loulan Beauty," and then head to the International Grand Bazaar for dinner—perfect for a full day.
Notes
It is windy on the hill during sunrise and sunset; the steps are relatively steep, so wear comfortable shoes. The park is open for free, but some small attractions may charge a fee.
