Hami, prefecture-level city in Xinjiang, China
Hami is a city in eastern Xinjiang, China, located in a valley surrounded by mountains and serving as an administrative center for the region. The layout features wide streets, simple earth buildings alongside modern structures, and daily markets where vendors sell local produce and crafts.
Hami has been inhabited for thousands of years and served as an important trading hub on the Silk Road, connecting China with Central Asia during the Han Dynasty and beyond. Control of the city passed between Chinese dynasties, Mongols, and other nomadic peoples, each leaving traces in local culture.
Hami reflects the mix of Han Chinese and Uyghur peoples in everyday life, visible in markets, festivals, and local dress. This cultural blend shapes how the city looks and feels as you walk through it.
Hami is accessible by train and plane, with a train station and an airport about 12 miles from the city center offering connections to larger cities. The best time to explore is in the morning and evening when temperatures are milder and markets are most active.
The city is famous for its sweet melons that thrive in the dry climate and become a special treat in summer months. Visitors often overlook that Marco Polo passed through in the 14th century and praised the clean streets and busy markets in his accounts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
