Karamay, Xinjiang (新疆克拉瑪依)

 

Renmin Square in Karamay [xjys.com.cn]

At the edge of Junggar Basin, Karamay is located in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Most of the land in Karamay is desert, with Tianshan Mountains to the south. Karamay is a Uyghur word meaning "black oil." It gained this name for the Black Oil Mountain near the city. In 1955, China’s first oil well began to work in Karamay, opening the city to a construction boom. The most famous attractions around the city include Black Oil Mountain, Jiulong Pond, Baiyanghe Gorge and Ghost Town.

Admission:

Black Oil Mountain: 10 yuan

Jiulong Pond: 10 yuan

Baiyanghe Gorge: 20 yuan

Ghost Town: 20 yuan

Getting there: Take a plane or bus from Uyghur to Karamay.