Hanting Hotel (Urumqi Xibei Road)

For the price, the rooms were fantastic. We had a fantastic time at the Taxinan. The staff couldn't speak English, but they were still incredibly helpful. Check-in was quick and efficient, even though the government makes that no easy task, and they stored our bags.

This is ridiculous. We booked through Expedia last week, but when we arrived they said foreigners aren't allowed to stay, only Chinese people. Why was the hotel selling it to us in the first place? It was 2 am, freezing outside, and they wouldn't let us stay even though we'd already paid. If you're not a Chinese citizen, I'd advise contacting them before booking.

Nice service.

The rooms are clean and comfortable, with a good range of amenities for the price. Getting around is easy by BRT, and the Xinjiang Museum is nearby, so it's a convenient base for sightseeing. Security felt good, with rooms locked by key and guards on duty 24 hours, which is common in Urumqi. The staff seemed a little inexperienced with foreign guests, Japanese people included, so check-in was a bit tricky. Otherwise, we had no problems. The manager/supervisor spoke a little Japanese.