Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
It lies just below northern Tianshan and is located farthest from seas amongst the world cities.
During the Western Han dynasty (206BC-24AD), the area around modern Urumqi was turned into military garrisons.
Tang dynasty rulers (618-907AD) also established their presence in the region in order to promote trade in the northern Silk Road.
Unlike much of Xinjiang, the population in Urumqi is predominantly Han Chinese.
