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Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport

Ürümqi, China
Explore Ürümqi city guide Navigate to this airport
153
Routes out
55
Destinations
ZWWW
ICAO
2125 ft
Elevation
AirlinesAirports profile

Northwest China's premier gateway to Central Asia and beyond.

Opened
1936
Location
Ürümqi, China
Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (IATA: URC, ICAO: ZWWW) is the primary commercial airport serving Ürümqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China. It is one of the busiest airports in western China and serves as a critical hub connecting the region to domestic destinations across China as well as international routes into Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The airport has undergone significant expansion over the years to accommodate growing passenger traffic driven by increased tourism and trade along the revived Silk Road economic corridor. A major new terminal, Terminal 3, was opened to handle the rising demand, and the airport was rebranded with the 'Tianshan' name to reflect its regional identity. In 2023, it was officially renamed Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport. With its strategic geographic position, the airport plays an important role in China's Belt and Road Initiative, facilitating cargo and passenger movements between China and neighboring countries in Central and West Asia.
Terminals
The airport operates multiple terminals including the newer Terminal 3, which handles the majority of domestic and international flights.
Getting to & from
The airport is connected to downtown Ürümqi via the Ürümqi Metro Line 2, as well as taxis, ride-hailing services, and airport shuttle buses.
Airlines here
China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are major carriers operating here, alongside Xinjiang Airlines, Air Astana, and various Central Asian carriers.
Notable facts
  • ›One of the busiest airports in western China by passenger volume.
  • ›Renamed Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport in 2023 from its previous name Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport.
  • ›Serves as a key hub for routes to Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
  • ›Located approximately 16 kilometers northwest of downtown Ürümqi.
  • ›Plays a significant role in China's Belt and Road Initiative as a gateway to Central and West Asia.
Official website Wikipedia
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (53 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Routes

URC → CTU3U · 319 330
URC → SHA9C · 320
URC → XIY9C · 320
URC → DYU7J · 752
URC → XNN8L · 738
URC → CGO3U · 320
URC → CKG3U · 320
URC → LHW8L · 737
URC → KHG3U · 319
URC → XIY3U · 319
URC → XIYBK · 738
URC → KHGCA · 738
URC → PEKCA · 738 772 321
URC → XIYCA · 738 320
URC → CTUCA · 320
URC → INCCA · 738
URC → TYNCA · 738
URC → YCUCA · 320
URC → TPECI · 333
URC → CANCZ · 738 777 752 73G
URC → CTUCZ · 738 320 752
URC → HETCZ · 73G 319 320
URC → IKACZ · 73G
URC → LHWCZ · 752 319 320
URC → NKGCZ · 73G
URC → OSSCZ · 73G
URC → OVBCZ · 73G
URC → PEKCZ · 73G 777 321 330 752 738
URC → TASCZ · 752
URC → TBSCZ · 73G
URC → WUHCZ · 738 320 73G
URC → XIYCZ · 738 E90 320 752 73G
URC → XNNCZ · 320
URC → YIWCZ · 738
URC → AKUCZ · 73G E90
URC → CKGCZ · 738 320 73G
URC → CSXCZ · 752
URC → DYUCZ · 752
URC → FRUCZ · 73G
URC → HMICZ · E90
URC → KCACZ · E90
URC → KWECZ · 73G
URC → SHACZ · 752 73G
URC → SJWCZ · 320 319
URC → TNACZ · 320
URC → CGOCA · 320
URC → LHWCA · 738
URC → CGOCZ · 752 738
URC → HGHCZ · 73G
URC → KHGCZ · E90 73G
URC → KRYCZ · 73G
URC → LBDCZ · 73G
URC → TSECZ · 73G
URC → YINCZ · 73G E90
URC → CKGCA · 737
URC → HTNCA · 738
URC → TNACA · 738
URC → AATCZ · 73G E90
URC → ALACZ · 73G
URC → ASBCZ · 73G
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City & Place Guide

Gateway to Central Asia at the heart of the Silk Road

Ürümqi is the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and one of the most remote major cities on Earth, sitting farther from any ocean than almost any other metropolis. It blends Han Chinese, Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Central Asian cultures into a distinct urban character defined by grand bazaars, desert landscapes, and snow-capped mountains on the horizon.

The city has modernized rapidly, with a growing metro system and international airport, yet its old bazaars and ethnic neighborhoods preserve a vivid sense of crossroads heritage. Travelers use Ürümqi as a base for exploring the Tianshan mountains, the vast Taklamakan Desert, and legendary Silk Road corridors stretching in every direction.

  • •Erdaoqiao Grand Bazaar — sprawling Uyghur market selling spices, dried fruit, and handicrafts
  • •Tianchi Lake (Heaven Lake) — stunning alpine lake set within Tianshan mountain scenery
  • •Xinjiang Regional Museum — extensive exhibits on Silk Road history and mummified ancient peoples
  • •Nanshan Scenic Area — lush mountain pastures offering horseback riding and yurt stays
  • •Red Hill Park (Hongshan) — central hilltop pagoda with panoramic city views
  • •International Grand Bazaar — modern shopping complex celebrating Uyghur architecture and culture

Getting around: Ürümqi has a growing metro network with several lines covering key districts, making it the easiest and cheapest way to move around. City buses are extensive but require local knowledge; taxis are abundant and metered at low fares. Ride-hailing through Didi is widely available and convenient for non-Mandarin speakers using the app.

Best time: Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) offer mild temperatures and clear skies, ideal for both city exploration and mountain excursions.

Local food: Try hand-pulled lagman noodles, lamb skewers (kawap), polo rice pilaf, naan bread from street ovens, and the region's celebrated seedless grapes and honeydew melons.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.

Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport
Encyclopaedia

Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport is an international airport serving Ürümqi, the capital of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is located in the Diwopu township of Xinshi district, 16 km (9.9 mi) northwest of downtown Ürümqi. As a hub for China Southern Airlines and as a focus city for Hainan Airlines, the airport handled 29,179,737 passengers in 2025, making it the 18th busiest airport in China by passenger traffic.. Among all five autonomous region in China, Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport is the only airport is classified 4F-class.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Entity data from open aviation datasets (OurAirports, OpenFlights) with AI-assisted editorial clearly marked. Always confirm time-sensitive details with the official airport website. Sources & verification