Major city · China
Shihezi石河子
Skip Shihezi unless you have a specific reason to visit: it's a quiet, tree-filled city with little for tourists. Half a day is enough to see the square and lake.
Shihezi is a planned city built in the Junggar desert from 1954, known for having more trees per acre than any other Chinese city. It sees very few tourists and offers a peaceful break from Xinjiang's busier destinations. The main attractions are People's Square, Mushroom Lake and the nearby Tianshan foothills. Most travellers use it as a stop between Urumqi and points west, or skip it entirely.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Dec–Feb (temperatures -20 to 0°C (−4 to 32°F))avoid Dec–Feb (temperatures −4 to 32°F (-20 to 0°C))
- Airport
- URC
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Shihezi110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shihezi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyShihezi is very safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportURC Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (About 2.5–3 h by bus or train from Urumqi to Shihezi).
- Getting aroundLocal buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1) per ride.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideLocal bus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedLocal guesthouse room, a night, per roomCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedUniversity hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedUniversity hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- URC Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (About 2.5–3 h by bus or train from Urumqi to Shihezi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Feb
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C) low), wettest Jul (7 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shihezi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
2 rd
Feb
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
2 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
3 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
4 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
2 rd
Dec
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Local buses cost ¥1 per ride. Taxis start at ¥5; most trips within town are under ¥10. Walking is pleasant except in winter.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nanshan (Tianshan foothills)
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Bus from Shihezi, about 2 h
Hiking and camping; bring supplies.
Door to door: About 3–3.5 h
Train or bus, about 2.5–3 h
Better to stay overnight in Urumqi for a full visit.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
University area
The university hotel is the most convenient option; check for availability.
City centre
Near People's Square; a few local hotels, no international chains.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| University hotel room1 × 1 night × CN¥100 | CN¥100 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Bus from Urumqi to Shihezi, one way1 × CN¥35 · check | CN¥35 |
| Train from Urumqi to Shihezi, hard seat1 × CN¥24 · check | CN¥24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥31 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥340 per person per day, bed included | CN¥340≈ US$50 |
check
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Local bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi within town | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Train from Urumqi (hard seat) | ¥24 (≈ US$4) (check) |
| Bus from Urumqi | ¥30–36 (≈ US$5–6) (check) |
| Watermelon (per kg) | ¥3–5 (≈ under US$1) (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter temperatures can drop to -20°C (−4°F); pack accordingly.Winter temperatures can drop to −4°F (-20°C); pack accordingly.
- English is not widely spoken — have a translation app ready.
- The university hotel may be the only reliable accommodation; book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Shihezi石河子
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请带我去这个地址Take me to this address
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
The US Embassy is in Beijing; consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenyang and Wuhan. Most other countries have embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus from Urumqi to Shihezi: about ¥30–36 (≈ US$5–6), 2.5–3 h (check)
- Train from Urumqi to Shihezi (hard seat): about ¥24 (≈ US$4), a little over 2 h (check)
- Taxi within town: ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián)
- 公交车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōng jiāo chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我不明白 — I don't understand (wǒ bù míng bái)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shihezi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Dec–Feb (temperatures -20 to 0°C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for People's Square, Mushroom Lake and Nanshan hiking area with verified opening hours and access.
- Eat pages for local watermelon and university-area restaurants.
- Sleep page for the university hotel with contact details.
Sources
Ask about Shihezi
Loading…
Was this useful?