Urumqi sits on the old silk route running between the East of China to Rome, Alexandria and Constantinople. As such its an important site for students of international business with an historical bent and a visit is useful to help reimagine more than 2000 years of international trade and commerce. I came here with my colleague to explore the possibility of bringing students here for exactly that reason.
The city is one of the most cosmopolitan I have visited. Its populated with ethnic groups with origins from Slav to Manchu and the range of sites and sounds reflect that richness.

The city has two very good museums, that give a sense of the long and rich history here and the rich cultural context.
The photographs above are an attempt to capture some of that richness.