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View Plans & PricingArea: 7,734 km²
Population: ~490,000 (2020)
Kelamayi (Karamay) means "black oil" in Uyghur, named after the oil seepage at Black Oil Mountain. It is a major petroleum city in Xinjiang.
7.0/10 — Residents enjoy a balanced lifestyle with modern amenities and cultural richness.
Kelamayi Airport (KRY) has domestic flights. Kelamayi Railway Station connects to Urumqi on the Kuytun–Beitun railway. Buses and taxis serve the city.
China University of Petroleum (Beijing) Kelamayi Campus is the main institution.
Kelamayi lies in the Junggar Basin with arid continental climate, oil and gas reserves, desert landscapes, and the Karamay River.
Visit Black Oil Mountain, Kelamayi Oilfield Museum, World Devil City, and the Karamay River scenic belt.
Day 1: Black Oil Mountain and Oilfield Museum.
Day 2: World Devil City day trip.
Try Xinjiang pilaf, lamb kebabs, hand-pulled noodles, grilled fish, and local yogurt.
Petroleum-themed souvenirs, jade, dried fruits, and ethnic crafts are sold in city bazaars.
Local Vibe: Kelamayi, or Karamay, is an oil city in the desert of northern Xinjiang. Locals are proud of their petroleum industry, their dramatic 'Devil City' wind-eroded landforms, and their ability to live in one of China's driest regions. The city is modern, planned, and surrounded by empty desert.
Fun Facts:
• Karamay means 'black oil' in Uyghur, named after the oil seep that became the foundation of the city's oil industry.
• The nearby World Ghost City (Devil City) is a famous yardang landform area with eerie wind-sculpted rocks.
• Karamay is one of the richest cities per capita in China thanks to its oil wealth.
Kelamayi locals speak their own flavor of Mandarin. Try these phrases to earn a smile:
Yaxshimusiz — Hello.
Rahmat — Thank you.
Nahayati yaxshi — Very good.
• Oil Pioneers — Chinese geologists and workers discovered the Karamay oilfield in the 1950s and built the city from the desert.
• Uyghur Musicians — Local musicians blend Uyghur maqam traditions with modern Xinjiang popular music.
• Desert Rangers — Rangers and scientists protect the unique desert ecology around Karamay and the Devil City.
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