Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region - Hami Prefecture 哈密地区

Hami is a place of strategic importance along the ancient Silk Road. It is also an important fortress from the Hexi Corridor to Xinjiang by way of Dunhuang, Gansu Province. It has long been known as “the only way to the Western Region and the natural defense for China.” Even today, it is still an important place. The Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway passes through here, the second “Eurasia Railway” soon to be completed will pass through here. And what’s more, the administrative office of Hami Prefecture, the people’s government of the Prefecture, the municipal government of Hami city are all seated here. Nowadays, Hami city has become the political, economic, communications and cultural center of eastern Xinjiang.

With its important geographical position and natural conditions of fertile and plenty of trees and water resources, Hami enjoys a long history. The cultural relics unearthed in 217 sites of ancient cultural remains which have been ascertained in Hami show that during the Mesolithic (Miolithic) Age 中石器时代, people began to make a living here; a 3,200-year-old corpse was exhumed here. According to historical record, in the year of AD 73 during the Eastern Han Dynasty, the office of the Yihe Prefectural General was set up here, and troops were stationed to reclaim wasteland and grow, grain, which accommodated businessmen and travelers coming and going along the Silk Road. During the Northern Wei (386-534.) The Yiwu Prefecture was established and at the time people were densely populated in Hami. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Yizhou Prefecture was set up, and it became a commercial town where businessmen and travelers all gathered here and the kingdoms and other countries paid the tributes constantly. In 1406, the Hami Fortress was established. Today, the city of Hami has a population of 360,000 with an urban area of 58 square kilometers.

Hami is rich and it is the home to Hami melons. Because it has very little seed and thin skin and mushy pulp with high sugar content, Chinese dates produced in Wubao of Hami have won praise from both Chinese and foreign customers. The Barkol horse, one of the three principal and best breeds of horse in Xinjiang is bred here.

Hami is rich in natural resources, now 76 kinds of minerals have been prospected, such as coal, iron, salt, salt-peter, gold, titanium, vanadium, manganese, nickel, gem etc. At present, the major industries in Hami are electric power, steel and iron, coal, chemistry, leather, textile, and transportation. Hami boasts many scenic spots and places of historical interest. Bordering on Dunhuang, Gansu Province, in the east and linking Turpan Prefecture in the west, Hami is like a bright pearl on the Silk Road. Since 1978, the Islamic King Tombs and Gey’s Tomb have been repaired, the Singing Sand Dune and White Rock: --“Guests from the Sky天外来客”—standing on the Barkol Pastures are attracting more and more Chinese and overseas tourists. Also tourists can go sightseeing on Shichengzi Reservoir石城子水库, which has been ranked as one of the highest reservoirs the world over.

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