In the morning, not many restaurants were open, but Lanzhou Ramen was open 24 hours a day, so I had breakfast there.



Then I went to the South Bus Terminal and bought a bus ticket to Urumqi. 45 yuan (approx. 890 yen)



The guidebook said it would take two and a half hours, but it took three.
This may be because security checks have been strengthened.
Just before entering Urumqi, I had to take all my luggage outside and have it checked along with my ID.
Your luggage won't be opened; it's simply an X-ray scan when you enter a station or airport, but it still takes some time.



And then we arrived in Urumqi.

The city of Urumqi somehow feels very quiet.

Perhaps this is a reaction to being stalked by persistent touts in Turpan until recently.
Here in Urumqi, touts aren't pushy and it's a very peaceful place.

The people also seem to be living their lives in a relaxed atmosphere.

It's hard to imagine that large-scale demonstrations and terrorist attacks have occurred in a place like this in recent years.

Also, from around Turpan, people's faces gradually began to look more Central Asian.

You can really feel that the cultural sphere is changing.

I also see a lot of people with Russian-looking features.



Tonight's accommodation is the Maitian International Youth Hostel. The place is called "Xinjiang Wulumuqi Maitian International Youth Hostel."
I'm staying for two nights.
The first night in a dormitory is 47 yuan (930 yen), and the second night is 66 yuan (1,300 yen). The first night is apparently a special offer on booking.com, and the normal price is 66 yuan, but the price written on the wall is cheaper, so it seems like booking.com is quoting a slightly higher price including fees.



Then, have a late lunch at the restaurant below. 16 yuan (about 315 yen).
The Chinese food is consistently good.

Today I'm going to visit Benisan Park, which is right next to my lodging.

It's a tourist spot, but more than anything, it feels like a place for local residents to relax.



There's a small temple here.
Admission fee: 5 yuan (about 95 yen)



There's a Ferris wheel, so I decided to ride it, hoping for a great view. 20 yuan (approx. 395 yen)



Then we headed to the building right there.
The view from the top was great, so maybe we didn't need to ride the Ferris wheel.

The entrance fee here is also 5 yuan (approximately 95 yen).



A tower standing on a rocky cliff on a hill in the park.



There are many locks on them, perhaps for making wishes.
There are also some words written on them.



Looking closely, you can see what appears to be a lift running above the road.
However, this lift appears to have already been closed.



And then we left the park.

It's been a month and a half since I left.
I've had severe stomach pain and diarrhea since yesterday, so I've been wearing warm clothes and staying in bed in my room.
I wasn't feeling well for the first week after I left, but not bad enough to collapse, and this is the worst I've felt since.

And then the next day.
Today is the day I have to check out, and I'm taking an overnight train to Almaty, Kazakhstan, so I get up around noon.
I'm still not feeling perfect, but my headache has subsided considerably.
I think I can manage a trip to the museum.
So, after checking out of the hotel and leaving my luggage, I head off to the museum.

I try to get there by bus using Baido Maps as my guide, but for some reason I end up being sent in the wrong direction instead of my intended destination.
I tried to get there on route 7, but it didn't work, so I tried again on a different route and headed to the museum via an underground passage one block away.

Then I discovered that the road just before the museum was closed due to construction.
That's it.
The bus took a different route because the road was impassable.

Then we visited the museum.



Admission is free.
The inside is quite impressive.

The highlight here is the mummy from the Kingdom of Loulan on the Silk Road. It's a bit grotesque, though.