Originally Posted by
cagcag
is there anything in Urumqui worth seeing/doing? We will have a 17 hour layover in Urumqui on the way from Kashkar to Beijing; is it worth extending it to several days?
There isn't much to see in Urumuqi. I definitely recommend spending at least 2 nights (prefer 3) in Turpan if you plan to divert. There are many day trips that can be arranged with drivers who loiter by the bus station. You don't have to look for them; they will find you. Do your research beforehand about places that you might be interested in seeing. BTW, expect police checkpoints on the highway between Urumuqi and Turpan, so if you are planning on the travel time, give it an additional hour or two cushion.
Originally Posted by
zehbra
.... having spent most of my time in China amongst not-particularly-westernized people in southwestern China, this is actually still a real danger... I take it this is not the case anymore in the likes of Beijing or Shanghai?
Beijing and Shanghai are certainly more cosmopolitan than the interior provinces, but you would be surprised if you expect the general citizenry to be familiar with this aspect of Western culture. IMO, wine drinking requires some training of the palate in order to appreciate it. Few Chinese have had the chance, or think that they need, to have that training.