Urumqi is the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China's most western province. The most 'inland' city in the world - the furthest from any major body of water - Urumqi is 3,270 km. (2,050 miles) from Beijing (a five-hour flight). With a population of one million, the city lies as a green-blanketed oasis amidst Xinjiang's barren and uninhabited deserts, loess highlands, and the snowcapped peaks of the Heavenly Mountain. Urumqi means 'A beautiful Pasture land' in ancient Mongolian used by the Junggar tribe, 2000 years ago it was once an important town on the new northern route of the Silk Road

Southern Pastures (West White Poplar Gully) 75km (46 miles) South of Urumqi, in the Southern Mountain, the area at the northern foot of Karawuquntag Mountain, a spur of the Tian Shan Mountains, lies West White Poplar Gulley. Traveling through this narrow verdant gully is a unique experience for sightseers who love natural scenery like snowcapped peaks, dragon-spruce trees and wild flowers to name just a few of the beautiful things to see. It is also home to a 2,100m (6,888 ft) wide waterfall that cascades down, above sea level. The valley has an annual precipitation of 500 to 600mm. Screened by snow-capped peaks and dotted with tall and straight dragon spruce trees, it is an ideal place for an excursion. The Kazakhs usually spend summer here between May and October and graze their herds. Visitors can take a horseback tour guided by local Kazakhs. In a traditional yurt, the hospitable host will welcome you in with fragrant milk tea, mare's milk, cheese and roasted lamb. The horseracing and traditional Kazakh dancing are equally amazing. More spectacular landscape come at the far end of the valley - a 2m (6.6 ft) wide waterfall cascades 40m (131 ft) down, roaring with mist. It makes you feel refreshed and relaxed. How to get there: Transport to this area can be a bit inconvenient, but there are some buses from the north end of Renmin Park off Guangming Lu.

Tin Shan, meaning Heavenly Mountains, is a mountain system in Central Asia, extending nearly 1500 arcing miles across Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang Province, China. Heavy rain and snowfall on the range create a mountain environment that contrasts dramatically with the arid desert terrain of the southern foothills. On the lower slopes, there are flowery meadows and lush juniper and spruce forests. On the upper slopes, there are enormous glaciers, two of which are 45 miles long.

Tianchi (Heaven's Lake) is situated in the Heavenly Mountain range (Tianshan), 115 km northeast of Urumqi, is arguably one of the nicest spots in all of China. The huge clear lake water, the pine trees covering the hillsides and the snow capped mountains in the background make this a spectacular sight- reminiscent of Switzerland or the Rocky mountains but somehow with more vibrancy and color.

Hongshan Park (Red Mountain) is a pleasant spot to visit to get your bearings when you first arrive in this modern city. The views from the top of the mountain of the surrounding countryside and breathtaking mountains make the steep (but short) climb worthwhile. The mountain peak stands 1391 meters above sea level. Climb up to the top, where you can stop and sit down for a drink and enjoy fabulous views over the city with the snow capped mountains behind. Numerous legends are associated with the mountain, including a few scary tales about a dragon that inhabits the hillside!

Bogda Peak is the highest peak of the heavily glaciated Bogda Mountain massif, a northeast extension of the Tian Shan. The Bogda Mountains, 150 miles long and averaging 13,000 feet elevation, culminate in a lofty two-mile ridge, topped by several peaks. The Bogda range forms the northern perimeter of the Turpan Depression, a great hollow in the earth's surface where elevation is 500 feet below sea level. The valleys on this southern side of the range are hot, dry, very windy, and comparatively treeless, while the northern foothills are densely covered in conifer forests.