Karamay (Kelamayi) Travel Guide

Population: 330,000

Area: 9,500 square kilometers (3,668 square miles)

Nationalities: Han, Uygur

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Karamay, Dushanzi, Baijiantan, Urho)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0990-6888861, 6623009
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184

Location: Karamay is situated in the northwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, at the edge of Junggar Basin. The Tianshan Mountains zigzag in the south of Karamay, and the city has a road mileage of 313 kilometers (194 miles) from Urumqi.

History: Karamay is Uygur word meaning 'black oil'. It gained this name for the Black Oil Mountain near the city proper. After the first oil well of the mountain began to work in 1955, Karamay entered a great scale of exploitation and construction.

Physical Features: The terrain of the Karamay is long and narrow, higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. Generally speaking, its western and northern territory is occupied by mountains, while its central and eastern parts are vast open flat spaces.

Climatic Features: Karamay belongs to typical continental climate characterized by the lack of rain and quite windy spring and autumn. Winter is extremely cold and summer is roasting, generating a large temperature difference in these two seasons. Comparatively, its spring and autumn are short during a year.

When to Go: spring and autumn

Special Local product: embellished cap, woolen carpet

Scenic Spots:
Baiyanghe Gorge: 17 kilometers (11 miles) west of Urho District, the gorge is located in the spectacular section along the Baiyang River where the diversiform-leaved poplar forests are the most flourishing in the river valleys.
Devil City: Also called 'Urho Wind City', the devil city is situated 110 kilometers (68 miles) northeast of Karamay, covering a ten square kilometers stunning Yardang landscape. When it is windy in spring and autumn, the rock formations will blow whistles, hence its name, the Devil City.

Tourist Tips: Karamay Airport is 17 kilometers (11 miles) from downtown Karamay. At present, only one flight daily leaves for Urumqi in the morning for an hour's journey. If getting to Urumqi from the bus station of Karamay, about ten hours' drive may be needed.