Major city · China
Karamay克拉玛依
Skip unless you work in oil or need a quiet stop between Urumqi and the north: half a day for the rock formations, then move on.
Karamay is a wealthy oil city in the Dzungarian Basin, with clean streets and little for travellers. The main draw is the Mogui Cheng (Devil City) rock formations 100 km north. Most people use it as a transit stop between Urumqi and Burqin or Aletai.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold)
- Airport
- KRY
- 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 Karamay110 ▾
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 Karamay, 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
- SafetyKaramay is safe; the main risks are summer heat and the long taxi ride to Mogui Cheng – agree the price beforehand.
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.
- AirportcheckKRY Karamay Airport (Flights from Urumqi, about 1 h; check frequency).
- Getting aroundTaxis are cheap and easy; buses cover the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealLamb skewer (street stall)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within city centre¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideBus to Urumqicheck¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥700 (≈ US$100)
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
- KRY Karamay Airport (Flights from Urumqi, about 1 h; check frequency)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C) low), wettest Jun (6 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Karamay: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
2 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
2 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
3 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Oct
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
2 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°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
Taxis are cheap and easy; buses cover the centre. For Mogui Cheng, you need a taxi or a tour car – no public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mogui Cheng (Devil City)
goDoor to door: About 4 h round trip including time at site
Taxi from Karamay, about 1.5 h one way
Erosion rock formations; best at sunset. No facilities – bring water and snacks.
Urumqi
goDoor to door: About 4–5 h
Bus or taxi, about 4 h by bus, 3 h by taxi
Larger city with flights and trains onward.
Burqin
goDoor to door: About 4.5 h
Bus or taxi via the G217, about 4 h
Gateway to Kanas Lake; combine with a trip north.
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.
City centre
Near the main square and bus station; most hotels are here.
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
- ¥200–350 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥350–600 (≈ US$50–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × CN¥350 | CN¥350 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥400 | CN¥400 |
| Taxi to Mogui Cheng, round trip1 × CN¥400 · check | CN¥400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥115 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,265 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,265≈ US$180 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Lamb skewer (street stall) | ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Naan bread | ¥3–5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Taxi within city centre | ¥10–20 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi to Mogui Cheng, one waycheck | ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) |
| Bus to Urumqicheck | ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mogui Cheng is 100 km (62 mi) north: arrange a taxi or join a tour; no public bus.Mogui Cheng is 62 mi (100 km) north: arrange a taxi or join a tour; no public bus.
- Xinjiang runs unofficial local time 2 h behind Beijing time – confirm opening hours.
- Summer heat can exceed 40 °C (104 °F); carry water.Summer heat can exceed 104 °F (40 °C); carry water.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Karamay克拉玛依
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Karamay → Urumqi, bus: about ¥100–150 (≈ US$14–25), 4 h (check)
- Taxi city centre → Mogui Cheng: ¥150–200 (≈ US$25–30) one way (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 我不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ bù dǒng)
- 厕所在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
Xinjiang runs unofficial local time 2 h behind Beijing time – confirm opening hours.
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 Karamay. 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–May, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (hot), Dec–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Mogui Cheng and Jiulongtan with verified opening hours and transport options.
- Eat pages with local Xinjiang dishes (lamb skewers, naan).
- Golden and hostile arrival fixtures for KRY airport and bus station.
Sources
Ask about Karamay
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