Hami is the eastern gateway to Xinjiang, a historic oasis on the Silk Road. Famous worldwide for its sweet Hami melons, the city also offers the lush Barkol grassland, the mysterious Mingsha Mountain, and centuries of caravan history.
Hami is a prefecture-level city in eastern Xinjiang, strategically positioned as the eastern gateway to the region. For centuries, travelers entering Xinjiang from the Hexi Corridor passed through Hami's oasis, making it a crucial resting point on the Silk Road. The city's name is synonymous worldwide with its most famous export — the Hami melon.
The Hami Oasis is one of the largest in Xinjiang, fed by snowmelt from the eastern Tian Shan Mountains. The surrounding landscape is dramatically diverse: to the north lie the alpine pastures of Barkol, to the south stretches the vast Gobi Desert, and to the east the Hami Oasis provides a lush corridor of orchards, vineyards, and farmlands.
Hami's history as a Silk Road trading post has left it with a rich cultural heritage. The city is home to a mix of Han Chinese, Uyghur, and Kazakh communities, each contributing to its distinctive character. The famous Hami melon, once a tribute fruit reserved for emperors, now travels to tables around the world.
The surrounding region offers remarkable natural diversity. The Barkol Grassland provides a cool summer escape with its green meadows and Kazakh yurt camps, while the Mingsha Mountain's singing sands and the nearby Yadan formations create an otherworldly desert landscape. This combination of oasis agriculture, grassland culture, and desert adventure makes Hami a uniquely varied destination.
Hami's recorded history begins with the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), when the Chinese empire established military agricultural colonies in the oasis. The region was a critical link on the Silk Road's northern route, connecting the Hexi Corridor with the Tarim Basin and Central Asia. Caravans carrying silk, spices, and precious stones would rest and resupply in Hami's abundant oasis.
During the Tang Dynasty, Hami flourished as a cosmopolitan trading center where Chinese, Central Asian, Persian, and even Roman merchants exchanged goods and ideas. The city was a melting pot of Buddhist, Nestorian Christian, and later Islamic influences. The Hami Oasis was known for its sophisticated irrigation systems and productive agriculture.
In the Qing Dynasty, Hami played a pivotal role in China's control over Xinjiang. The Hami Kings (a local Uyghur hereditary ruler) maintained a special tributary relationship with the Qing court, and the "Hami melon" became a famous tribute fruit. In the 20th century, Hami developed into a major transportation hub and agricultural center, with the melon industry growing into a nationally recognized brand.
Today, Hami continues to thrive as a transportation and logistics hub, with the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway and expanded highways connecting it to the rest of China. The city has also developed mineral resources, including coal and iron ore, while maintaining its agricultural traditions.
Hami's economy is built on three pillars: agriculture, mining, and transportation. The Hami melon industry is the most famous sector, with over 30,000 hectares of melon cultivation producing hundreds of thousands of tons annually. Other agricultural products include grapes, apricots, cotton, and wheat. The melon and fruit industry supports a significant processing, packaging, and logistics sector.
The city is also rich in mineral resources, with substantial deposits of coal, iron ore, copper, and nickel. Large-scale mining operations and associated power generation plants contribute significantly to the local economy. Additionally, Hami's position as the eastern gateway to Xinjiang makes it a natural logistics hub, with warehousing, transportation, and trade services forming an increasingly important part of the economic base. Tourism is a growing sector, with the grassland, singing sands, and melon gardens attracting domestic visitors.
Discover the culinary treasures of Hami, from traditional street food to imperial cuisine.
A day experiencing Hami's famous melons, Silk Road history, and the vast Kazakh grasslands.
Hami Yizhou Airport has direct flights to Urumqi, Beijing, and Xi'an.
Hami Railway Station is on the Lanzhou-Xinjiang high-speed railway, with frequent services to Urumqi (2.5 hours), Lanzhou, and Beijing.
Long-distance buses connect Hami to surrounding counties and cities. Local buses serve the urban area.
Available throughout the city
Apr - May
Mild temperatures (15-25°C), occasional dust storms. Trees blossom in the oasis. Grassland begins to turn green.
Jun - Aug
Warm to hot (25-35°C). Peak season for Barkol Grassland — lush green pastures, wildflowers, and Kazakh festivals. Melons ripen from July.
Sep - Oct
Pleasant weather (15-25°C). Late melon varieties continue into September. Grassland turns golden. Good for photography.
Nov - Mar
Cold and dry (-10 to 5°C). Snow occasionally covers the desert and grasslands. Very few tourists.
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