Xinjiang Regional Museum (新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆)
Xinjiang Museum houses the famous Tarim mummies — 3,800-year-old European-looking corpses found in the desert — plus Silk Road artifacts that rewrote history.
Duration
2-3 hours
Cost
Free (reservation required)
Hours
10:00-18:00 (Tue-Sun); closed Mondays
Booking
Advance booking required
Xinjiang Regional Museum (新疆维吾尔自治区博物馆) is China's most fascinating regional museum, housing the famous Tarim mummies and an extraordinary collection of Silk Road artifacts that rewrote Central Asian history.
What to See
Tarim Mummies (楼兰美女) — The museum's star attraction. These 3,800-year-old corpses were preserved naturally in the Taklamakan Desert. They look remarkably European — evidence of ancient migrations that predate the Silk Road by millennia.
Silk Road Artifacts — Textiles, pottery, and metalwork from the Silk Road era. The collection shows the cultural exchange between China, Persia, and Central Asia.
Uyghur Culture — Traditional clothing, musical instruments, and everyday objects. The Uyghur section gives context to the culture you'll see outside the museum.
Jin Man (金人) — Gold artifacts from the ancient nomadic cultures of the steppe. Stunning craftsmanship.
Practical Tips
- Free entry, but reservation required — book online at least 2 days ahead
- Closed on Mondays
- The mummy exhibition is on the second floor — don't miss it
- Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit
- Audio guide available in English (¥30/$4)
Practical tips
- Book tickets online in advance — they run out fast. The mummy exhibition is on the second floor.