Xinjiang Museum is located along the Altai Road in Urumqi's downtown area. The museum boasts a large amount of various relics, and thus is regarded as a base for historical, patriotic and cultural educations.

Established in 1953, this museum covers an exhibition area of 7,800 square meters. The museum was first an agriculture exhibition hall before changing into the Xinjiang Museum in 1962. The building is characterized by its strong Uygur and Russian flavors. An 18-meter green-tiled dome stands in the main hall, with walls which are decorated with enormous murals.

The articles exhibited in this museum are mainly archaeological treasures from the Silk Road and other local cultural relics. Over 50,000 items including silk, pottery and porcelain, terra-cotta figures, weapons, scriptures are collected here. Also on exhibition are some mummies discovered in the vast desert, among which the one named "sleeping beauty" is the most famous. Buried for more than 3,800 years, it is the earliest and best-preserved mummified body in China. The usual exhibitions include clothing, household utensils, handicrafts, hunting and musical instruments as well as different types of Uygur "yurts", giving a vivid introduction to local customs and cultures.

(Author: Jeff)

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