Hami Travel Guide: The Sweet Oasis and the Eastern Gate of Xinjiang

1.Introduction: The Sweetest Gateway to the West Hami, historically known as Kumul, stands as the easternmost prefecture-level city in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is widely celebrated as the "Eastern Gate of Xinjiang" because it is the first major city travelers encounter when entering the region from Gansu Province via the Hexi Corridor. Geographically, it is a place of stark and stunning contrasts, divided by the majestic Tianshan Mountains into two distinct climate zones: the warm, arid basin to the south and the cool, verdant steppes to the north. While the world knows it primarily for the Hami Melon—a fruit so sweet it was once sent as a tribute to Chinese emperors—the city offers a depth of history and natural beauty that goes far beyond its famous produce.

2.Geography: Fire and Ice separated by Tianshan The anatomy of Hami is defined by the Tianshan Mountain range, specifically the Karlik Mountain (Kuerlike) section, which cuts through the prefecture. To the south lies the Hami Basin, a dry, heat-filled depression that sits on the edge of the Gobi Desert. This area captures the essence of the "Western Regions" with its oasis agriculture, ancient irrigation systems, and poplar trees fighting against the wind. The intense sunlight and significant temperature difference between day and night here are the secrets behind the sugar content of the local fruits. To the north of the mountains lies Barkol (Balikun), a region that feels worlds apart. It is home to the Barkol Grassland, one of the most beautiful high-altitude pastures in Xinjiang. Unlike the dry basin, Barkol is moist and cool, often described as having "three seasons of winter and one season of spring." The Barkol Lake, a shimmering alpine lake, mirrors the snow peaks of the Karlik range, creating a picturesque scene of herds grazing under the shadow of glaciers.

3.The Legend of the Hami Melon: No overview of Hami is complete without mentioning its namesake fruit. As the local saying goes, "Turpan has grapes, and Hami has melons". The Hami Melon (Cantaloupe) has been cultivated here for millennia. Historically, the King of Hami offered this melon as a tribute to the Qing Emperor Kangxi. The Emperor, delighted by its unique sweetness and fragrance, named it the "Hami Melon," cementing its fame forever. Today, the Hami Melon Garden is a major attraction where visitors can taste hundreds of varieties, ranging from crisp and refreshing to soft and creamy.

4.Historical Heritage: The Hami Kingdom Hami was the seat of the Hami Kingdom, a semi-autonomous feudal state that existed well into the early 20th century. The Hami King's Tombs (Hui Wang Ling) are a testament to this era. This architectural complex blends Islamic dome styles with traditional Chinese wooden structures, reflecting the cultural fusion unique to this borderland. The mausoleums are grand and solemn, housing the remains of successive Hami Kings and their families. Nearby stands the Gai's Tomb (Gai Si Mu), another significant historical site. The history of Hami is a tapestry woven from the threads of the Silk Road, where merchants, monks, and soldiers crossed paths, leaving behind Buddhist ruins and beacon towers that dot the landscape.

5.Natural Wonders: Yadan and the Gobi Venturing into the Gobi desert south and west of Hami reveals a surreal world. The Hami Yadan Landform, often called the "Demon City" due to the howling sounds the wind makes as it passes through the rock formations, is a geological marvel. Millions of years of wind erosion have sculpted the earth into shapes resembling castles, pagodas, and beasts. Furthermore, the Gobi desert in Hami is a treasure hunter's paradise. The region is famous for its Gobi Agate and exotic stones. The "Hami Gobi" is described as a vast, silent expanse where colorful agate pebbles lie scattered, remnants of ancient geological shifts, waiting to be discovered by lucky travelers.

6.Karlik Glacier: The Source of Life Dominated by the Karlik Peak, the easternmost tip of the Tianshan Mountains, Hami possesses magnificent glaciers. The Karlik Glacier is accessible and offers a breathtaking view of massive ice tongues descending from the clouds. These glaciers are the "solid reservoirs" of Hami, melting to feed the underground karez systems and rivers that sustain the oasis civilization below.

Conclusion Hami is a city of "sweetness" in a harsh land. It is where the heat of the Gobi meets the chill of the glacier, where the history of the Silk Road meets the vibrant life of modern Uyghur and Kazakh communities. Whether you are exploring the "living fossil" of the Populus euphratica forests, hiking the cool trails of Barkol, or simply enjoying a slice of melon under the trellis, Hami offers a rich, multi-layered travel experience that defines the diversity of Xinjiang.