Urumqi Diwopu Airport is not as small as I expected. On the contrary, the airport is very modern and extremely efficient. Uruqmi Diwopu Airport has 3 Terminals in total and a new Terminal 4 is in under construction.
The security in Xinjiang is strict so it is no surprise that Urumqi Diwopu Airport has very tight security too. Most of the routes in Central Asia, Middle East and South Asia have to be arrived in the mainland China through Urumqi.
Our tour bus in Xinjiang stopped at T2 to unload our luggage and we bid farewell to our driver.
Urumqi Diwopu Airport Terminals
T1 & T2 are older compared to T3 as T3 was the newest wing of the airport which was opened in 2010. T3 boasts beautiful architecture at the rooftop with it best known “Eagle’s wing”. ( Refer to feature picture). Most of the important sign has English written on it so you won’t be able to get lost.
T1 is mainly operating the domestic low-cost airlines. T2 is for flights other than China Southern Airlines. T3 is only dedicated to China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines as well as international routes.
Priority Line for Check In
We were using T2 to fly to Beijing then back to Singapore. If you are flying with old folk and young children you can go to queue at the priority line.
Tight Security Checks
All belts must be removed from your body and ensure free from any metal objects. All shoes has to be taken off too. Men and women go separate ways for checking. Male security officers will perform the security check for men and female security officer will perform for the women. The check is very strict and your body get touched all over, including some rubbing on the chest area, armpit & hair.
Shopping & Restaurant
There is nothing much to shop here, every are very expensive. Some of the choices are tea, jade, fruits, book & little souvenirs stores here. The choices aren’t many and nothing very interesting. It is best if you can get all your shopping done outside. (Urumqi International Grand Bazaar).
Fruits Store
Hami Melon and pomegranate are the two top fruits in Xinjiang. Domestic travellers would get some back home. Certainly not going to get any Hami Melon, as we have to transit in Beijing International Airport then back to Singapore.
Hetian Jade
A shop selling Hetian jade is found here. Some background of the Hetian Jade; Hetian region in Xinjiang is a famous spot for high quality jade. The jade from Hetian usually are creamy white, green white, green, blue-green, dark green, red and yellow. Such colors are caused by the volcanic eruption. Hetian Jade can be also found around the Kunlun Mountains and northern part of Tianshan Mountains.
Souvenirs stores
My advice is to get your souvenirs outside, not in the airport. The choices are limited and the overpriced too.
Overpriced Coffee Shop
I was shocked at the price of the coffee sold here! It is not Starbuck or Coffee Bean, just a normal cup of coffee can cost up to SGD $10.00 (USD $8.00) and it is not even Starbucks’s standard! Food here don’t look appetizing too. It is best if you can buy bring some snacks and food from Urumqi city.
Free Water
Hot water & cold water are available for free at multiple location. You notice Chinese local love to fill up the thermos flask with super hot water and drink. They don’t drink cold water even in the summer. They think cold water is bad for health.
Boarded on Air China from Urumqi Diwopu Airport to Beijing Airport. The meal provided by Air China was good. The thick noodles is the local speciality here in Xinjiang, tasted awesome.
Final thoughts :
If you are going to Xinjiang, most likely you will experience Urumqi Airport. The airport condition is good. Don’t be too surprised that the security screening is extremely strict since you are in Xinjiang. I have already get use to the tight security after spending more than a week in Xinjiang. Take off your belts, socks & shoes when the security officers perform the checks. Expect “excited” rubbing on your chest, butt, stomach and hair from the security officers.
Nothing much to shop in the airport, best is get all your souvenirs outside. If possible bring your own snacks as food and coffee are all over-priced inside the airport.
28 comments
I love reading about airports, that is after all when travelling you can spend quite some time at.
Dear Lonodon Mumma,
You are right, China is so huge and you certainly need to use the airport to connect from one place to another. Hope my airport review will help out some travellers.
I have never been to China, but even just the airport looks fun. I think there is always a lot to do near and in a lot of airports.
Dear Jessi,
To experience the security checks in the Urumqi Diwopu airport can be quite fun! You get plenty of massage around your body. 🙂
This is good to know. I hope to make it to China one day. I would be all about the free water. Only mine would have to be cold.
Dear Amber,
Haha, your reply sound so cute and I too notice, westerner prefer cold water and not warm. There is no queue (only one or two Westerner queue) for the cold water but a very long long queue for the hot water in the airport. LOL.
Everytime I plan to travel, I am always on the look out for the airports I will be connecting or spending time in to see what can be good about them. I love knowing this.
Dear Joan,
There aren’t many great shopping in Urumqi Diwopu airport and the restaurant and food are limited and are over priced. My advice is best to bring in your own snacks in flight delay and you need something to munch.
I’ve never been to China. It’s interesting to read about different airports, especially the big international airports. It seems like souvenirs are always so expensive in the airport!
Dear Marysa,
You are right, souvenirs is always selling at higher price in the airport. Best to get all our souvenirs outside the airport. LOL.
Those food stands are so freaking cute omg! Looks like an awesome airport to visit!
All the shopping looks so cool. Omg a fruit stores? That is so rad!!! great photos
Dear Brittany,
Xinjiang is famous for its melons so the local tourists from other provinces will buy back. Certainly not for international ride.
I have never been to China, but I would love to make a visit there! Everything in the airport looks so nice 🙂
Thanks for the info. I hope to visit xinjiang China someday. This airport review will be usuful.
thank you for leaving this airport review!! i will definitely be more prepared for when i decide to travel to Xinjiang!
I laughted out loud when I read about the very pricey coffee, what is about airports and expensive coffee?
Dear Silvia,
Coffee in some part of China can be very expensive and are considered as luxury drinks 🙂
I’ve never been to Xinjiang before. I’d love to visit China one day.
I would love to visit more Asian countries and see the history and culture. It is so interesting and beautiful looking out there.
i ‘d love to explore different airports internationally. I wonder how i’d navigate with the language barrier.
Dear Arain,
All the signboard are written in English so there is no problem at all for you to navigate to the right gate.
I’m always fascinated by looking at all the different airports around the world. I can relate to experiencing expensive food at the airport. I just came back from traveling…and I definitely spent quite a bit on a sandwich that would normally cost half the price elsewhere.
Dear Jennifer,
Airport usually charge higher than outside but the price for the coffee here is just expensive.
Great post, I was able to see some of airport in the china. Yes food are always expensive in airport.
Dear Swathiiyer,
There are over 200 airports in China and Urumqi Diwopu Xinjiang Airport is only one of the airport in China. The coffee here are super expensive so it is better just to drink the free water provided in the airport.
That airport is nice and clean! And I love the assortment of food choices offered. At least, when you get to wait, the waiting becomes easier.
Dear Sigrid,
The airport is neat but the things are kind of overpriced and a cup of coffee cost about USD 8.00 not Starbuck standard, very ordinary coffee. USD$8.00 is considered very high for China standard.