Stand on the edge of the dry plain outside Hami and the Qarlik and Barkol ranges rise ahead of you, their peaks reaching roughly 4,900 metres while the city itself sits at 759 metres in a fault depression. The air is dry, the light is strong, and the fields that made this oasis worth fighting over for centuries still produce the melons the name is known for.
Hami suits travellers who are already in eastern Xinjiang and want a stop that mixes desert landforms, a compact museum and a mountain escape without a long detour. Days here are sunny year-round, so plan around heat in summer and cold in winter rather than around rain.
This guide covers the sights and activities the source material describes, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Hami
1. Tomb of Hami king
Nine generations of the royal line are buried here, along with three Arabian preachers, in a tomb built in four typical ethical architectural styles. It is the most substantial built sight in the city and the clearest window into the Kumul Khanate period, when Hami was the centre of a semi-autonomous vassal state.
Taxis start at ¥5 from elsewhere in Hami, and entry is ¥20. Pair it with the Hami Museum in the same outing, since both are compact and sit within easy reach of each other by taxi.
2. Hami Museum
The museum occupies the first floor of the Culture Central (哈密市文化艺术中心) and displays two mummies whose clothes, hair and blood vessels have stayed in good condition because of immediate dehydration in the dry climate. It is a small, focused collection rather than a full regional museum, and the mummies are the reason to come.
Entry is ¥5. Go in the middle of the day when the outside heat or cold is at its worst, then continue to the Tomb of Hami king afterwards.
3. Ghost City
This is a natural region shaped over thousands of years by strong wind and a dry climate, giving it the special geographic character it is known for. It is the landscape experience of the Hami area, and the reason to set aside a half day rather than an hour.
Entry is ¥50. Because the formations are the product of wind and dryness, expect exposed, unshaded ground; go prepared for sun and wind rather than for a sheltered walk.
4. Songshutang
North of the Tian Mountain and about two hours from Hami by car, Songshutang works as a ski area in winter and a summer resort in the warmer months. The ski run is not sharp, which makes it a good choice for beginners, and in summer it is a cool place to stay for a few days if you want quiet and natural surroundings.
A bus ticket is ¥12, and two hours of skiing is around ¥100. Cheese is available year-round, fresh mushrooms can be found after rain in the Tian Mountain, and BBQ is popular in the evening. If you have made it as far as Songshutang, it is a good opportunity to continue to MingShaoShan, less than two hours away by car.
5. MingShaoShan
MingShaoShan is a small, non-polluted natural town reached in under two hours by car from Songshutang. The draw is the night sky: the stars feel close, and it makes a memorable place to stay rather than a quick stop.
Treat it as an extension of a Songshutang trip rather than a separate journey, and plan to overnight so you get the evening hours.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Hami Museum on the first floor of the Culture Central, where the two mummies are the highlight, then walk or take a short taxi ride to the Tomb of Hami king, where nine generations of the royal line and three Arabian preachers are buried.
Afternoon: Head out to Ghost City, the wind-carved natural region, and give it the bulk of the afternoon since it is the landscape sight of the area.
Evening: Return to the city for dinner. If you have a second day, save Songshutang and MingShaoShan for it, since both need a car journey of about two hours or more.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Hami?
The climate is a continental desert one with extreme differences between summer and winter and dry, sunny weather year-round. July averages 26.8 °C and January averages −9.8 °C, so choose according to whether you want the summer resort at Songshutang or the winter ski run there.
How do I get around the sights in Hami?
Taxis start at ¥5 from elsewhere in Hami, which covers the Tomb of Hami king and the museum. Songshutang is about two hours away by car, with a bus ticket at ¥12, and MingShaoShan is under two hours by car from Songshutang.
What does it cost to visit the main sights?
The Tomb of Hami king is ¥20, the Hami Museum is ¥5 and Ghost City is ¥50. At Songshutang, two hours of skiing is around ¥100.
Can I combine Songshutang and MingShaoShan in one trip?
Yes. MingShaoShan is less than two hours by car from Songshutang, so the two work as a single overnight trip, with Songshutang for skiing or a cool summer stay and MingShaoShan for the night sky.
Work out which season suits you, then build your days around the tomb, the museum and Ghost City first and add the Tian Mountain trip if you have the time.