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Key Information

Hami
Chinese name
Chinese哈密
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinHāmì
Wade–GilesHa1-mi4
other Mandarin
Xiao'erjingخَامِ
Mongolian name
Mongolian CyrillicХамил хот
Mongolian scriptᠬᠠᠮᠢᠯ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ
Transcriptions
SASM/GNCQamil qota
Uyghur name
Uyghurقۇمۇل‎
Transcriptions
Latin YëziqiQumul
Yengi YeziⱪⱩumul
SASM/GNCK̂umul
Siril YëziqiҚумул

Hami (Chinese: 哈密; pinyin: Hāmì), or Kumul (Uyghur: قۇمۇل, romanized: Qumul), is a prefecture-level city in eastern Xinjiang, China. It is well known for sweet Hami melons. In early 2016, the former Hami county-level city merged with Hami Prefecture to form the Hami prefecture-level city with the county-level city becoming Yizhou District.[2][3][failed verification] Since the Han dynasty, Hami has been known for its production of agricultural products and raw resources.

History

[edit]

Origins and names

[edit]
"Camul" (Kumul) shown in the middle or Asia, halfway between "Samarchand" and "Cataio", on a 1570 map by Abraham Ortelius

Cumuḍa (sometimes Cimuda or Cunuda) is the oldest known endonym of Hami, when it was founded by a people known in Han Chinese sources as the Xiao Yuezhi ("Lesser Yuezhi"),[4] during the 1st millennium BCE.

The oldest attested Chinese name is "昆莫" (Kūnmò). By the time of the Han dynasty, it was referred to in Chinese as "伊吾" (Yīwú) or "伊吾卢" (Yīwúlú). Under the Tang dynasty, it was also known as Yīzhōu, 伊州.[2][3] The name I-gou, I-gu,[5] Igu,[6] &c. sometimes encountered in European discussion of Hami was a mistaken form of Yiwu introduced by Stanislas Julien in his translation of Huili's biography of Xuanzang.[7]

By the 10th century CE, the city and its residents were known to the Han as "仲雲" (pinyin: Zhòngyún; Wade–Giles: Chung-yün). A monk named Gao Juhui, who had traveled to the Tarim Basin, wrote that the Zhongyun were descendants of the Xiao Yuezhi and that the king of Zhongyun lived near Lop Nur.[8]

Following the subsequent settlement of Uyghur-speaking people in the area, Cumuḍa became known as Čungul, Xungul, Qumul, Qomul and Kumul (Yengi Yezik̡: K̡umul, K̡omul).

The toponym Yīwúlú also appears as "伊吾廬" in the History of the Yuan dynasty,[9] the biographies of which include references to the place using both names: Baurchuk Art Tekin (巴而朮阿而忒的斤) bases his troops at Hāmìlì in juan 122, while one Tabun (塔本) is recorded as being a man of Yīwúlú in juan 124.[10]

During the Yuan dynasty the Mongolian name for the place, Qamil, transcribed into Chinese as "哈密力" (Hāmìlì), was widely used.[11]

Marco Polo reported visiting "Camul" in the early 14th century and that was the name under which it first appeared on European maps, during the 16th century.

From the Ming dynasty onwards, Qumul was known in Han sources as "哈密" (Hāmì).

When Matteo Ricci visited the city in 1605, in his account of the Portuguese Jesuit Benedict Goës, he used the same spelling as well.[12]

Lionel Giles has recorded the following names (with his Wade–Giles forms of the Chinese names converted to Pinyin):

  • Kunwu (Zhou)
  • Yiwu or Yiwulu (Han)
  • Yiwu Jun (Sui)
  • Yizhou or Yi Zhou (Tang)
  • Kumul, Kamul, Camul (Turkic)
  • Khamil (Mongol)
  • Hami (modern Chinese name)

The modern Chinese name Hami was originally applied to the wider province, which had its historic capital at Qocho 325 km to the west of the city of Hami.

History since the Later Han dynasty (10th century CE)

[edit]

During the Later Han dynasty, Hami repeatedly changed hands between the Chinese and Uyghurs who both wanted to control this fertile and strategic oasis. Several times the Han set up military agricultural colonies to feed their troops and supply trade caravans. It was especially noted for its melons, raisins and wine.[13]

"The region of Yiwu [Hami] is favourable for the five types of grain [rice, two kinds of millet, wheat and beans], mulberry trees, hemp, and grapes. Further north is Liuzhong [Lukchun]. All these places are fertile. This is why the Han have constantly struggled with the Xiongnu over Jushi [Turfan/Jimasa] and Yiwu [Hamich], for the control of the Western Regions."[14]

The decline of the Xiongnu and the Han dynasty led to relative stability and peace for Hami and the surrounding area. However, in 456, the Northern Wei dynasty occupied the Hami region. Based here, they launched raids against the Rouran Khaganate. After the decline of the Northern Wei dynasty around the 6th century, the First Turkic Khaganate assumed control of the region. Hami was then tossed around between the western and eastern branches of the khaganate.[15]

Xuanzang visited the oasis town, famous for its melons, the first of a string of oases supplied by the Tian Shan Mountains. This water had been preserved in underground wells and channels since time immemorial. The town had long been inhabited by a Chinese military colony. During the early Tang dynasty and reaching into the Sui dynasty, the Chinese colony had accepted Turkic rule. Xuanzang stayed at a monastery inhabited at the time by three Chinese monks.[16]

The Tang dynasty asserted control over the region and occupied Hami in the 7th century. The Tibetan Empire and the Tang vied for control of the region until the Chinese were repelled in 851. After the collapse of the Uyghur Khaganate, a group of Uyghurs migrated to the Hami region and ushered in an era of linguistic and cultural change of the local population.[15] The Mongols conquered this region during the Yuan dynasty. Later Gunashiri, a descendant of Chagatai Khan, founded his own small state called Qara Del in Kumul or Hami, which accepted Ming supremacy in the early 15th century, but was conquered by another branch of Mongols later on.

Map of Hami (labeled as HA-MI) and surrounding region from the International Map of the World (1975)
Uyghur people from Hami, in Anxi subprefecture. Huang Qing Zhigong Tu, 1769

The Ming dynasty established this region as Kumul Hami in 1404 after the Mongol kingdom Qara Del accepted its supremacy. But it was later controlled by Oirat Mongols. Hami was conquered and converted to Islam in 1513.[17] Since the 18th century, Kumul became the center of the Kumul Khanate, a semi-autonomous vassal state within the Qing Empire and the Republic of China as part of Xinjiang. The last ruler of the khanate was Maqsud Shah.

A traveler in 1888 gave the following description of the city:

""The kingdom of Ha-mi contains a great number of villages and hamlets; but it has, properly, only one city, which is its capital, and has the same name. It is surrounded by lofty wall, which are half a league in circumference, and has two gates, one of which fronts the east, and the other the west. These gates are exceedingly beautiful, and make a fine appearance at a distance. The streets are straight, and well laid out; but the houses (which contain only a ground-floor, and which are almost all constructed of earth) make very little shew: however, as this city enjoys a serene sky, and is situated in a beautiful plain, watered by a river, and surrounded by mountains which shelter it from the north winds, it is a most agreeable and delightful residence. On whatever side one approaches it, gardens may be seen, which contain everything that a fertile and cultivated soil can produce in the mildest climates. All the surrounding fields are enchanting; but they do not extend far; for on several sides they terminate in dry plains, where a number of beautiful horses are fed, and a species of excellent sheep, which have large flat tails which sometimes weigh three hundred pounds. The country of Ha-mi appears to be very abundant in fossils and valuable minerals: the Chinese have, for a long time, procured diamonds and a great deal of gold from it; at present, it supplies them with a kind of agate, on which they set a great value."[18]

Geography and climate

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Hami is located at the border with Gansu province. It is characterized by strong elevation gradients between the low elevations of the Hami basin and peaks up to circa 4,900 metres or 16,000 feet above sea level in the Qarlik and Barkol mountain ranges.

Hami (Kumul) is in a fault depression at 759 m (2,490 ft) above sea level, and has a temperate zone, continental desert climate (Köppen BWk) (see Hami Desert), with extreme differences between summer and winter, and dry, sunny weather year-round. On average, there is only 43.6 mm (1.72 in) of precipitation annually, occurring on 25 days of the year. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 68% in December to 79% in September and October, the city receives 3,285 hours of bright sunshine annually, making it one of the sunniest nationally. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −9.8 °C (14.4 °F) in January to 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in July, while the annual mean is 10.25 °C (50.4 °F). The diurnal temperature variation is typically large, at about an average 15 °C (27 °F) for the year.

Climate data for Hami (Kumul), elevation 737 m (2,418 ft), (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 8.2
(46.8) 		16.8
(62.2) 		26.6
(79.9) 		34.9
(94.8) 		38.8
(101.8) 		42.7
(108.9) 		43.2
(109.8) 		42.3
(108.1) 		37.5
(99.5) 		31.6
(88.9) 		20.9
(69.6) 		10.0
(50.0) 		43.2
(109.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −3.0
(26.6) 		4.8
(40.6) 		14.0
(57.2) 		22.9
(73.2) 		28.6
(83.5) 		33.3
(91.9) 		35.1
(95.2) 		34.0
(93.2) 		28.3
(82.9) 		19.5
(67.1) 		8.3
(46.9) 		−1.2
(29.8) 		18.7
(65.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) −10.4
(13.3) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		5.9
(42.6) 		14.9
(58.8) 		20.7
(69.3) 		25.6
(78.1) 		27.2
(81.0) 		25.1
(77.2) 		18.2
(64.8) 		9.4
(48.9) 		0.4
(32.7) 		−8.2
(17.2) 		10.5
(50.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −16.1
(3.0) 		−9.7
(14.5) 		−1.4
(29.5) 		7.0
(44.6) 		12.2
(54.0) 		17.3
(63.1) 		19.3
(66.7) 		17.2
(63.0) 		10.5
(50.9) 		2.6
(36.7) 		−4.9
(23.2) 		−13.3
(8.1) 		3.4
(38.1)
Record low °C (°F) −27.7
(−17.9) 		−21.7
(−7.1) 		−15.2
(4.6) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−0.5
(31.1) 		7.0
(44.6) 		9.4
(48.9) 		5.4
(41.7) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		−9.4
(15.1) 		−21.6
(−6.9) 		−28.9
(−20.0) 		−28.9
(−20.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 1.4
(0.06) 		1.1
(0.04) 		1.5
(0.06) 		3.5
(0.14) 		3.6
(0.14) 		8.5
(0.33) 		8.6
(0.34) 		5.3
(0.21) 		2.7
(0.11) 		3.1
(0.12) 		3.0
(0.12) 		2.3
(0.09) 		44.6
(1.76)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 2.3 1.0 1.0 1.4 2.2 3.5 5.0 3.1 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.7 25.7
Average snowy days 4.3 1.4 0.9 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 0.2 1.6 3.0 11.7
Average relative humidity (%) 63 47 31 27 32 37 42 43 46 49 54 62 44
Mean monthly sunshine hours 207.5 223.9 285.2 304.1 349.9 339.4 340.1 326.5 301.4 266.4 211.0 192.3 3,347.7
Percentage possible sunshine 70 74 76 75 77 74 74 77 82 80 74 69 75
Source: China Meteorological Administration[19][20][21]

Administrative divisions

[edit]
map
# Name Hanzi Hanyu Pinyin Uyghur (UEY) Uyghur Latin (ULY) Population (2020 census) Area (km2) Density (/km2)
1 Yizhou District 伊州区 Yīzhōu Qū ئىۋىرغول رايونى‎ Iwirghol Rayoni 569,388 80,791 7.05
2 Yiwu County 伊吾县 Yīwú Xiàn ئارا تۈرۈك ناھىيىسى‎ Ara Türük Nahiyisi 38,464 19,530 1.97
3 Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County 巴里坤哈萨克自治县 Bālǐkūn Hāsàkè Zìzhìxiàn باركۆل قازاق ئاپتونوم ناھىيىسى‎ Barköl Qazaq Aptonom Nahiyisi 65,531 36,901 1.78

Demographics

[edit]

As of 2017, Hami had a population of about 580,000 of which 68.4% were Han Chinese and 31.6% ethnic minorities, mostly Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Hui.

As of 2015, 427,657 (76.6%) of the 616,711 residents of the county were Han Chinese, 109,072 (17.6%) were Uyghur, 55,550 (9.0%) were Kazakh and 17,588 (2.8%) were Hui.[22]

The proportion of nationalities in Hami (Kumul) City
Nationality Percentage
Han
 
 65.5%
Uyghurs
 
 20.0%
Kazakhs
 
 10.0%
Hui
 
 3.2%
Mongols
 
 0.5%
Others
 
 0.8%
Source of the population statistics:[23]

Economy

[edit]

The Hami area is known for its large amount of high quality raw resources with 76 kinds of metals already detected. The major mineral resources of this area include coal, iron, copper, nickel, gold.

A newly discovered nickel deposit in Hami is estimated to contain reserves of over 15.8 million tons of the metal, it therefore ranks as China's second largest nickel mine. Around 900,000 tons of nickel has already been detected. Some local copper and nickel mining enterprises are reported to have begun operation, with Xinjiang Nonferrous Metals Group mining company running its nickel smelter crude production furnace at Hami Industrial Park.[citation needed]

China is building a field of ICBM silos near Hami, about 380 km (240 miles) northwest of another field near Yumen.[24]

Transport

[edit]
Hami Railway Station
Hami Airport

Hami is connected to Xinjiang and the rest of China by both high-speed and conventional rail links. The Lanzhou–Xinjiang High-Speed Railway, a passenger dedicated high speed rail line running 1,776 kilometers (1,104 mi) from Lanzhou in Gansu Province to Ürümqi passes through the city. Hami is a stopping point for the Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway and Ejin–Hami Railway, two lines that are part of trans-national transport corridors. The Lanzhou–Xinjiang Railway carries passengers and freight, connecting the rest of China to Central Asia and beyond as part of the New Eurasian Land Bridge through a border cross in Kazakhstan, and the Ejin–Hami Railway moves passengers and freight as part of a planned corridor beginning in the Bohai Gulf in North China to Torugart Pass on the border with Kyrgyzstan. A short rail line of 374.83 km (233 mi) transports potassium salts mined near Lop Nur to Hami.

By road Hami is located along China National Highway 312, an east–west route of 4,967 km (3,086 mi) from Shanghai to Khorgas, Xinjiang in the Ili River valley, on the border with Kazakhstan.

Hami Yizhou Airport is a one-gate airport located 12.5 km (7.8 mi) northeast of the city center.

See also

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Footnotes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hami

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Hami is a located in the eastern part of China's Uyghur Autonomous Region, bordering province to the east and spanning the northern and southern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains. The prefecture covers approximately 142,100 square kilometers and had a of around 670,000 in 2021. Historically, Hami served as the center of the , a semi-autonomous Turkic established as a under rule in following the region's incorporation into the empire after aiding in the defeat of the Dzungar Mongols. The , descended from the , maintained feudal until the early , with its rulers paying to Chinese authorities while preserving local . This arrangement persisted into the Republican era until political upheavals, including the in the 1930s, led to its dissolution and full integration into Chinese administration. Economically, Hami is prominent for its , particularly the cultivation of Hami melons—a variety of sweet muskmelon that originated in the region and has been historically significant, including as imperial tributes during the . The melon industry supports local livelihoods and drives exports, bolstered by modern techniques for year-round production. The prefecture also features resource-based industries, including and energy development in the Turpan-Hami basin.

History

Ancient origins and early settlements

The Hami Basin exhibits evidence of early human occupation during the , spanning approximately 1800 to 400 BCE, as indicated by archaeological excavations at sites like the Tianshanbeilu cemetery, where lead isotopic analysis of metal artifacts points to local production and exchange networks involving sources from nearby mountains. These findings suggest that prehistoric communities in the region engaged in and activities, adapting to the arid environment through oasis exploitation. Paleoclimatic data reveal that increased humidity in the Hami Basin during the late , particularly after around 4000 years , promoted the expansion of oases along river valleys such as the Baiyang River, fostering conditions for sustained human settlements by enhancing water availability and vegetation. At least eighteen prehistoric sites documented in the Hami Basin and adjacent Balikun Steppe provide material evidence of these adaptations, including tools and remains indicative of agropastoral economies from the transition onward. Such environmental shifts likely drove migratory groups, including Indo-European speakers, to establish semi-permanent camps focused on millet cultivation and . By the early historical period, the oasis had developed into a strategic settlement known as , where the formalized control in 73 CE by establishing a commandery to secure agricultural colonies for military provisioning and caravan support, marking the transition from nomadic clusters to administered outposts. This integration reflected broader Han expansion into western frontiers, with and garrisons laid out to monitor routes, though local populations retained traditions amid intermittent nomadic incursions.

Silk Road era and medieval khanates

Hami functioned as a critical oasis station on the northern route of the , linking the Jade Gate (Yumenguan) in the east to (modern ) in the west, enabling the transport of silk, horses, and other commodities across the from the onward. Prior to the divergence of northern and southern branches, it represented the primary gateway from to , supporting caravans amid harsh desert conditions and fostering early exchanges of Zoroastrian, Manichaean, and Buddhist influences among Indo-European and later Turkic populations. Under the in the 13th century, Hami came within the domain of the , ruled by descendants of (second son of ), which encompassed eastern alongside and , integrating local Uyghur and Mongol nomadic groups while sustaining overland trade networks. The khanate's administration, blending Mongol military structures with Turkic customs, facilitated tribute flows and military campaigns but fragmented after the mid-14th century due to internal rivalries and Timurid incursions. In the late medieval period, the Hami Kingdom arose circa 1389 as a successor amid Chagatai decline, establishing itself as a tributary to the (1368–1644) and defending against Oirat threats from the west. Ruled by local khans of mixed Turco- lineage, it preserved a diverse ethnic composition—including , , and merchants—and served as a nexus for transcultural interactions until its fall around 1513, precipitated by the expansion of via Turkic migrations and conquests by neighboring Muslim states like the Turpan . This transition marked the region's shift from Buddhist and shamanistic pluralism to predominant Islamic governance, with khanal lines tracing Chagatai heritage persisting in localized authority.

Qing dynasty integration and 20th-century transitions

In 1696, amid rebellions against Dzungar Mongol overlords in the , the ruler of Hami, Abdullah Beg, defected to the , bringing the region under Chinese suzerainty. The following year, the Qing formalized Hami's status by establishing the as a semi-autonomous , granting the of Jasak to the local Mongol-Turkic elite while incorporating it into Xinjiang's administrative orbit. This arrangement preserved the khanate's internal governance and tribute obligations, serving as a buffer against Dzungar expansion until the Qing's full conquest of the Zunghar in the 1750s. The endured as a feudal entity under Qing rule, with khans maintaining loyalty through marriage alliances and military service, even as was reorganized into a in 1884. Following the Qing collapse in 1912, the nominally persisted under the Republic of , retaining autonomy amid the fragmentation of central authority in . In February 1930, upon the death of Khan , warlord governor dissolved the , seized its lands and treasury, and imposed direct administration, citing modernization needs but exacerbating ethnic tensions. This triggered the (1931–1934), a coalition of local Uyghur forces from Hami and Hui Muslim cavalry under General , who sought to restore independence or overthrow Jin's regime. The uprising spread across eastern , involving clashes with Jin's troops and rival warlords, but fragmented due to internal divisions and external interventions, culminating in Ma Zhongying's withdrawal to Soviet territory in 1934. By 1933, , backed by Soviet influence, seized control of , consolidating Hami under provincial rule and suppressing remaining khanate loyalists, including the exile of pretender . These transitions marked the end of Hami's centuries-old , integrating it fully into modern Chinese administrative structures amid warlordism and ethnic strife, setting the stage for post-World War II developments.

Post-1949 developments under PRC rule

In September 1949, Hami was incorporated into the as part of the peaceful liberation of , marking the end of its prior status under the Republic of China administration. This integration facilitated central government control and initiated reforms, including land redistribution and the establishment of cooperatives in the early to boost agricultural output in the oasis regions around Hami. The (XPCC), formed in 1954, played a key role in , infrastructure building, and settlement in eastern , including Hami, where it supported farming expansion and resource extraction amid sparse population and arid conditions. Administrative restructuring followed the creation of the Uyghur Autonomous Region in 1955, with Hami organized under regional divisions that emphasized ethnic autonomy while centralizing authority. Economic priorities shifted toward and resource development; in Hami's fields expanded to supply fuel for regional transport, contributing to self-sufficiency in energy production. By the late , state investments established Hami as a site for iron and , leveraging local ores to support industrialization drives. Agriculture remained vital, with improvements enabling large-scale cultivation of Hami melons and other crops, though yields were constrained by until post-reform enhancements. Post-1978 economic reforms accelerated growth, with discoveries in the Turpan-Hami basin from the onward transforming the area into a major oil and gas hub, attracting investment and boosting GDP through extraction and refining. Infrastructure advanced significantly, including rail links via the Lanzhou-Ürümqi line operational by the early 1960s and later extensions, alongside networks connecting Hami to inland . The Hami airport, developed in subsequent decades, enhanced accessibility for trade and personnel. In 2016, administrative consolidation merged the Hami with the surrounding , streamlining governance under a unified prefecture-level structure to promote coordinated urban-rural development. Demographic shifts reflected migration patterns tied to development; Xinjiang's population rose from 6.7% (approximately 220,000) in 1949 to 40% (8.4 million) by 2008, driven by state-sponsored settlement for , , and XPCC activities, with similar trends in Hami due to its resource focus. Total regional population grew rapidly, from 4.33 million in 1949 to over 25 million by 2020, supported by improved healthcare and economic opportunities, though ethnic tensions occasionally surfaced, as evidenced by localized unrest linked to economic disparities and cultural policies. Recent initiatives emphasize , with Hami emerging as a base for wind and , integrating into national strategies for .

Geography

Topography and natural features

Hami Prefecture exhibits a diverse shaped by tectonic forces and arid processes, featuring four principal mountain ranges enclosing three intermontane basins with pronounced elevational contrasts exceeding 5,000 meters in some areas. The northern sector is dominated by the Eastern Mountains, including the Bogda range with peaks reaching 5,445 meters, while the southern boundaries include the Beishan Mountains; these ranges frame the central Hami Basin, a fault-bounded depression averaging around 1,173 meters in elevation. Hilly terrain predominates, comprising about 65.5% of the land, followed by plains and Gobi expanses at 27.9%, with high mountains at 4.5% and true at 1.5%. The Hami Basin, contiguous with the Turpan Depression to the west, consists of alluvial fans at mountain foothills, isolated oases amid central desert flats, and extensive Gobi surfaces, fostering a landscape of stark contrasts between irrigated lowlands and barren uplands. Natural features include the Hami Desert, an eastern extension of the Gobi between the Tian Shan to the north and Nan Shan to the south, characterized by wind-sculpted yardang formations—eroded gravel ridges resembling fantastical structures—in areas like the 3,000-hectare Devil City scenic zone. These yardangs, developed through long-term eolian modification of unconsolidated sediments, highlight the region's vulnerability to aeolian processes and its evolutionary geomorphology. Oases, totaling 1,884.5 square kilometers across 194 patches, cluster along basin margins where meltwater from surrounding mountains supports sparse vegetation amid the prevailing aridity, underscoring the prefecture's reliance on topographic gradients for hydrological features.

Climate and environmental conditions

Hami lies within the Turpan-Hami Basin, exhibiting a cold desert (Köppen BWk) marked by continental extremes, low , and pronounced diurnal temperature swings. Annual averages 66 mm, predominantly as summer or occasional , with seeing the highest at around 2.3 rainy days. Temperatures fluctuate sharply: highs average 33°C (91°F), while January lows reach -15°C (5°F), with rare extremes below -19°C (-3°F) or above 37°C (99°F). The arid environment features sparse vegetation, sandy soils, and extensive desert landscapes surrounding limited oases, sustained by fragile groundwater aquifers and qanat (karez) irrigation networks. Water scarcity is acute, with surface water sources minimal due to the basin's endorheic geography and high evaporation rates exceeding precipitation by over tenfold. Desertification affects much of the periphery, driven by natural aridity and amplified by overgrazing, mining extraction, and oasis expansion, resulting in soil salinization and erosion risks. Ecological fragility is evident in the basin's mountain-desert-oasis transition zones, where sparse annual rainfall (under 50 mm in some subregions) limits to drought-adapted species like tamarisk and halophytes. variability, including intensified dust storms and potential shifts from regional warming, compounds degradation, though local conservation efforts target revegetation in degraded areas. Air quality suffers from frequent sandstorms and industrial emissions, with particulate matter levels often elevated during spring.

Government and Administration

Administrative structure

Hami City functions as a prefecture-level under the Uyghur Autonomous Region, established on January 7, 2016, through the dissolution of Hami Prefecture and the county-level Hami City, with the latter converted into Yizhou District. The structure adheres to China's standard hierarchical system, featuring a municipal committee led by a secretary who holds ultimate authority on major decisions, alongside a people's government headed by a responsible for executive administration, legislative oversight by a people's congress, and judicial functions through local courts and procuratorates. The city encompasses three county-level divisions: Yizhou District, County, and , covering a total area of 138,919 square kilometers. These units handle localized , including and public services tailored to their demographic and geographic contexts, such as autonomous policies for the Kazakh-majority Barkol County. Subordinate to these are 43 township-level administrative units: 5 subdistricts primarily in urban Yizhou District, 15 towns, 23 townships (including 3 ethnic townships), which manage grassroots affairs like agriculture, education, and . As of 2018, the resident population stood at 559,400 across these divisions.

Divisions and local governance

Hami City encompasses three county-level administrative divisions: Yizhou District as the central , Yiwu County to the northeast, and further north. This configuration emerged from administrative reforms effective January 2016, when the former Hami Prefecture merged with the county-level Hami City, redesignating the latter's territory as Yizhou District while retaining the existing counties. Yizhou District covers the prefecture's core oasis settlements and hubs, spanning approximately 8,000 square kilometers with a focus on urban development. Yiwu County, bordering , administers vast arid and mountainous terrain exceeding 20,000 square kilometers, emphasizing border management and resource extraction. , established on October 1, 1954, occupies 38,445 square kilometers of and lake regions, prioritizing economies like and . Local governance in these divisions follows China's hierarchical administrative framework, with each unit featuring a Communist Party of China (CPC) committee directing policy implementation and a people's government handling executive functions, both accountable to the Hami City-level authorities. People's congresses at district, county, and township levels provide legislative oversight, electing deputies and approving budgets, though ultimate authority resides with CPC structures. In Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County, ethnic autonomy under the Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law grants the Kazakh majority input on cultural, educational, and economic policies suited to local nomadic traditions, including language use in administration and preservation of customary practices, while adhering to national laws. Township-level subdivisions, numbering over 50 across the prefecture, manage grassroots services such as public health and infrastructure maintenance, often integrating Han and minority ethnic cadres to align with central directives on stability and development.

Demographics

As of the Seventh National Census conducted on November 1, 2020, had a total of 673,383 residents. This figure represented a 17.7% increase from the 572,400 recorded in the census, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of about 1.65%. Post-2020 estimates indicate a slight stabilization or minor decline, with the at approximately 670,000 in 2021, potentially reflecting adjustments in migration and natural increase patterns amid broader demographic shifts. The natural rate, based on household registration data, peaked at 6.48 in 2016 but fell to -2.04 in 2017, signaling volatility driven by declining fertility rates and aging demographics common in resource-dependent regions like . Urbanization trends in Hami align with Xinjiang's regional average, where the urban share reached 56.53% in , up from lower levels in prior decades due to industrial development and expansion, though lagging the national average. With a vast administrative area exceeding 80,000 square kilometers, Hami's remains low at around 15.7 persons per square kilometer as of , concentrated primarily in the Yizhou District and oasis zones. Overall growth has slowed since the 2010s, influenced by national policies curbing high birth rates and out-migration from rural areas, contributing to a prefecture-wide stabilization near 670,000 by the early 2020s.

Ethnic composition and migration patterns

Hami features a majority in its ethnic composition, alongside minorities dominated by , , and Hui, a demographic shift largely attributable to organized Han migration following the 1949 founding of the . In 1953, comprised roughly 6% of 's total population, with at 75%; by 2000, Han numbers had risen to 40.57% amid rapid in-migration, outpacing minority growth rates. This pattern intensified in eastern prefectures like Hami, where state-directed settlement via the (XPCC) prioritized Han recruits for , , and military-agricultural outposts, altering local balances from historical Uyghur predominance in oases to Han dominance by the late 20th century. Post-1949 , including Hami, was predominantly Han-led, with 92% of inflows from the to consisting of Han and Hui settlers, often incentivized by drives to bolster extraction and production in arid frontiers. XPCC divisions in Hami established self-sufficient Han communities focused on development and , drawing millions from interior provinces; by 2020, Xinjiang's overall Han share reached 42.24%, with Hami's urban districts reflecting even higher concentrations due to industrial pull factors. Uyghur and Kazakh populations, meanwhile, exhibited lower out-migration rates but faced relative dilution through these inflows, concentrating in and agricultural enclaves. Official data underpin these trends, though analyses from non-Chinese institutions highlight the role of in engineering ethnic reconfiguration for stability and development. Recent patterns show continued Han influx tied to energy sectors, with Hami's total stabilizing around 670,000 by 2020, sustaining the majority status amid slower minority natural increase. Interethnic mixing remains limited, with Han settlers urbanizing faster than , who preserve traditional livelihoods in peripheral areas, underscoring persistent divides despite integration rhetoric.

Economy

Natural resources and heavy industry

Hami Prefecture possesses substantial mineral reserves, ranking first in Xinjiang for , nickel, titanium, magnesium, , and . The region also holds significant deposits, contributing to two 100-million-ton annual production bases established in the broader Zhundong area encompassing Hami, with output supporting national needs. Additionally, the Turpan-Hami Basin features oil and gas resources, including oil-rich in areas like Naomaohu, suitable for advanced extraction processes. Renewable energy potential is prominent, with Hami covering 66.3% of 's wind resources and a technical wind capacity of 303 million kilowatts, equivalent to 6% of China's total; solar resources further enhance this profile, positioning the as a hub for clean development. These assets, combined with fossil fuels, underpin focused on extraction and conversion. centers on and processing, exemplified by the Naomaohu operations producing specialized for co-processing applications. A project, launched in October 2024 by CHN Energy Investment Group, involves a 170 billion yuan (approximately $24 billion) -to-liquid facility in Hami, utilizing second-generation domestic technology to yield 4 million tons of oil products annually—primarily for and other materials—with the first phase operational by late 2027. This initiative addresses excess supply while reducing oil import reliance, though it relies on high-water and inputs typical of such conversions. extraction supports , though specific output figures remain tied to broader trends in and processing.

Agriculture and key products

Agriculture in Hami Prefecture is predominantly oasis-based, relying on from mountain meltwater and rivers to cultivate crops in the arid environment. The sector emphasizes high-value horticultural products adapted to the region's extreme temperature fluctuations, abundant sunlight, and low humidity, which enhance fruit quality. , , and form staple crops in higher-elevation areas like , while fruits dominate lowland basins. Modern practices, including scientific breeding and intelligent greenhouses, have improved yields and extended production beyond seasonal limits. The , a muskmelon variety (), stands as the prefecture's flagship agricultural product, renowned for its crisp texture, high sugar content, and diverse rind colors ranging from yellow to green. Cultivation occurs primarily in the Hami and adjacent basins, where geographical indications protect varieties like Santanghu and Nanhu Hami melons. Xinjiang's muskmelon output, with significant contributions from Hami, exceeds 50% of national production, supporting exports and local branding initiatives. Recent advancements, such as low-temperature storage research to mitigate cold damage during transport, have bolstered market viability. Grapes and other fruits, including varieties branded as Hami grapes, complement melon production, leveraging similar climatic advantages for sweetness and flavor. These crops contribute to the prefecture's role in Xinjiang's fruit sector, which leads nationally in grapes and related outputs. Livestock integration, notably Hami mutton from local breeds, ties into agro-pastoral systems, though crop farming predominates in economic value for key exports.

Culture and Society

Traditional customs and Uyghur heritage

The Uyghur population in Hami, part of Uyghur Autonomous Region, preserves a heritage blending Turkic nomadic traditions with , particularly Sufi influences, shaping daily life, arts, and social practices. Traditional customs emphasize communal harmony, hospitality, and ritual observance, with roots traceable to pre-Islamic Central Asian cultures adapted through centuries of Islamic integration since the . Central to Uyghur heritage in Hami is the Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam, a multifaceted art form encompassing classical and folk songs, dances, and instrumental music, inscribed on 's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005. This system reflects diverse regional styles, including those from eastern areas like Hami, where performances integrate poetry, choreography, and melodies derived from maqam scales, fostering cultural identity through oral transmission and ensemble gatherings. Complementing Muqam is Meshrep, a traditional assembly combining moral education, music, dance, and games, recognized by in 2010 as a key carrier of Uyghur secular and ethical values, often held seasonally from late autumn to spring in community settings. Festivals anchor Uyghur customs in Hami, with Islamic holidays like Lesser Bairam (Eid al-Fitr) in September of the Islamic calendar marking the end of Ramadan through feasting, prayer, and family reunions, and Corban Festival (Eid al-Adha) involving animal sacrifice, meat distribution to the needy, and communal prayers. Local variants include Balikun Han Festival customs in Hami Prefecture, featuring ethnic games and rituals tied to harvest cycles. Social etiquette governs interactions, such as removing shoes upon entering homes, stepping over thresholds to avoid misfortune, and offering tea or food to guests as signs of respect, reflecting Confucian-influenced hospitality norms alongside Islamic prohibitions on alcohol and pork. Artisanal practices like Hami Uyghur embroidery embody symbolic harmony motifs, drawing from exchanges and depicting natural elements in geometric patterns, serving both utilitarian and ceremonial roles in and household items. These traditions, documented in local intangible heritage inventories, include folk performances such as Maixirefu dances, underscoring resilience amid historical migrations and cultural syntheses in the region.

Hami melons: Origins and cultural significance

Hami melons (Cucumis melo var. inodorus), native to the Uyghur Autonomous Region in , trace their cultivation origins to the region surrounding Hami, where they have been grown for thousands of years under the area's hot days and cool nights, which enhance their sweetness and flavor. Historical records from the (206 BC–220 AD) document their early presence in , with tributes of the fruit presented to Emperor Ming between 58 and 76 AD from the "," marking their initial recognition beyond local use. While some accounts suggest African roots for melons broadly, Hami varieties adapted specifically to 's arid climate, with concentrated production in areas like County boasting over 700 years of documented farming. Culturally, Hami melons embody abundance and hospitality in traditions, often served as a centerpiece in welcoming guests and symbolizing the region's agricultural prosperity amid its vast oases. Their juicy, fragrant flesh—rich in vitamins and minerals—elevated them to imperial status, with ancient shipments enduring arduous 3,000-kilometer journeys to Beijing's court as elite tributes, underscoring their prestige in pre-modern Chinese society. In Hami, annual harvest festivals highlight this heritage, blending local Uyghur customs with broader exchanges, where the melons foster communal celebrations and economic ties, transforming a seasonal into a enduring emblem of .

Ethnic Relations and Controversies

Historical interethnic dynamics

The Hami region, an oasis on the , has hosted diverse ethnic groups since antiquity, beginning with Indo-European-speaking inhabitants who practiced , , and . The arrival of introduced , which became dominant by the early after the destruction of the Hami Kingdom around 1513, marking the end of the area's Buddhist era and reflecting religious and cultural shifts through conquest and assimilation. Following the 9th-century collapse of the , Uyghur migrants settled in Hami, initiating a period of Turkic linguistic and cultural dominance among the local population. This Uyghur base persisted as the primary ethnic group, alongside smaller communities of Hui, Kazakh, and others who arrived via migrations. From the late 17th century until 1930, the governed the area under Mongol khans descended from the , who ruled over a predominantly Uyghur Muslim populace in a feudal system. These khans, maintaining close ties with authorities and often proficient in , enforced stability and loyalty to Qing and later Republican , restricting Han settlement to preserve local ethnic balances and mitigating potential conflicts through elite mediation. Interethnic dynamics under this regime emphasized hierarchical integration rather than equality, with Mongol rulers bridging steppe nomadic traditions and sedentary Uyghur society, though underlying tensions surfaced in the amid weakening central control.

Contemporary tensions and policy responses

In the context of broader Xinjiang-wide ethnic dynamics, Hami Prefecture has experienced ongoing frictions between its Uyghur population and settlers, stemming from rapid Han migration, economic competition over resources like and , and cultural divergences, with interpretations of government assimilation efforts varying widely. These tensions, while not marked by large-scale localized in recent records, align with regional patterns of unrest, including sporadic protests and underlying separatist sentiments linked to Uyghur nationalist groups. Chinese authorities attribute such frictions to external influences and religious extremism, citing over 1,000 terrorist incidents across from 1990 to 2016 that killed hundreds, though specific Hami attributions remain limited in public data. In response, the Chinese government intensified the "Strike Hard Campaign Against Violent Terrorism" starting May 2014, deploying enhanced policing, , and programs throughout , including Hami, resulting in the dismantling of 1,588 violent gangs and seizure of over 2,000 explosive devices region-wide by 2020. Key measures included the establishment of and training centers (VETCs) from 2014 to 2019, which describes as voluntary facilities providing Mandarin literacy, , and job skills to counter , with all centers reportedly closed by late 2019 and participants reintegrated into society. Officials claim these efforts eradicated , noting zero successful attacks in since 2017, alongside from 19.4% to near-zero in the region by 2020 through paired-assistance programs funding infrastructure in areas like Hami. Western governments and human rights organizations, such as the and , counter that VETCs functioned as mass internment camps detaining up to 1 million and other arbitrarily, involving forced labor, , and cultural suppression, with policies extending to Hami via regional enforcement. These claims, often based on satellite imagery, leaked documents, and defector accounts, have prompted U.S. legislation like the 2021 banning imports, though critics of such reports highlight reliance on unverified sources and potential geopolitical motivations amid U.S.- rivalry. Beijing dismisses genocide allegations as fabrications, emphasizing empirical stability metrics like reduced crime rates and in Hami's and sectors post-2014. Ongoing policies prioritize "ethnic fusion" through urban relocation and intermarriage incentives, aiming for long-term harmony but raising assimilation concerns among Uyghur advocates.

International perspectives versus Chinese counterarguments

International observers, including the Office of the High Commissioner for , have documented patterns of arbitrary detention, forced labor, and cultural restrictions targeting and other Turkic Muslims in , including Hami Prefecture, as part of broader policies initiated around 2017 that may constitute . Reports detail the expansion of high-security facilities in the region, supported by satellite imagery and defector testimonies, where individuals are held without trial for activities such as growing beards, praying, or possessing religious texts, with estimates of over one million detained across facilities. and have highlighted cases of torture, sexual violence, and coerced sterilizations, attributing these to a systematic effort to erode Uyghur identity, though such organizations' reliance on accounts and leaked documents has been critiqued for potential amid restricted access to the region. The and resolutions have labeled these actions as , citing demographic data showing declining Uyghur birth rates in from 2017 onward—dropping by nearly 50% in some areas by 2020—alongside forced separations of families and destruction of mosques, with Hami's Uyghur population subjected to similar via apps tracking daily behavior. These claims draw on like procurement records for camp construction and interviews with over 50 former detainees by UN investigators, though Western governments' geopolitical rivalry with raises questions about amplified narratives in media outlets with documented ideological leanings. Chinese authorities counter that allegations of abuses in Xinjiang, including Hami, are fabricated by Western forces to contain China's rise, asserting that facilities are voluntary vocational centers aimed at poverty alleviation and following terrorist incidents like the 2014 Urumqi market attack that killed 43. Official spokespersons, such as Xinjiang government officials, maintain that participants receive skills , with enrollment peaking in before facilities transitioned to community-based programs, and deny any , pointing to in Hami—such as increased agricultural output and —as evidence of improved living standards for all ethnic groups. Beijing has invited select foreign diplomats and journalists to Xinjiang tours, showcasing "reunited" families and cultural preservation efforts, while dismissing UN findings as politically motivated and based on unverified lies from anti-China exiles. emphasizes that policies promote interethnic harmony, with Han-Uyghur intermarriage encouraged and religious practices regulated only to prevent extremism, rejecting forced labor claims by noting compliance with international labor standards and independent audits, though such responses originate from controlled outlets lacking adversarial verification.

Infrastructure and Transport

Transportation networks

Hami is integrated into China's national transportation infrastructure through , expressways, and air routes, facilitating connectivity to eastern provinces and regional centers in . The –Ürümqi High-Speed Railway, operational since 2014, includes major stops at Hami, linking the city to Ürümqi in approximately 2-3 hours and to in about 10-11 hours via daily high-speed services. Stations such as Hami Railway Station and Hami South handle passenger and freight traffic, supporting economic ties along the corridor. The Beijing–Ürümqi Expressway, spanning 2,540 kilometers and fully operational by 2021, traverses Hami's desert terrain, reducing the -Ürümqi driving distance by over 1,300 kilometers to serve as the fastest overland route. This highway integrates with G30 Lianyungang–Khorgas Expressway segments, enhancing road freight and passenger mobility across the . Local roads and long-distance buses complement these arteries, with public buses and taxis available for intra-city travel. Hami Airport (HMI), handling domestic flights, connects to 22 destinations via 8 airlines, including 7 cities outside such as and , with 14 routes serving 15 navigable cities as of 2025. The facility supports regional air traffic, though rail remains the preferred mode for intercity travel due to efficiency and capacity.

Modern developments in connectivity

The Barkol Dahe Airport in Hami Prefecture officially commenced operations on July 15, 2025, introducing domestic air routes such as to Barkol with a stopover in , thereby enhancing regional passenger and cargo connectivity to . This facility, constructed as part of Xinjiang's aviation expansion under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), supports the region's goal of reaching 33 operational and under-construction airports by the end of 2025, facilitating integration with national transport networks. Rail connectivity in Hami remains anchored by the , which has undergone capacity enhancements and service expansions amid Xinjiang's broader rail investments during the 14th Five-Year Plan, including additions to interregional mileage exceeding 3,000 kilometers nationwide. The line enables travel at design speeds up to 250 km/h, linking Hami to Urumqi in approximately 2 hours and further to , bolstering freight and passenger flows for local and sectors. Ongoing provincial efforts have prioritized and upgrades to sustain reliability in harsh desert conditions. Road infrastructure has advanced through extensions and rehabilitations along the G30 Lianyungang-Khorgas Expressway traversing Hami, contributing to Xinjiang's growth from 165,900 km in 2012 to 230,000 km by 2024, with all prefectures now accessible by expressway. These improvements, funded by over 400 billion yuan in regional investments from 2021 onward, have shortened travel times to eastern provinces and supported Belt and Road logistics corridors, though specific Hami segments emphasize resilience against sandstorms via engineering adaptations like wind barriers.

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