Gilgit to Ürümqi flights
Ürümqi lies 1,430 km (889 mi) north-east of Gilgit, +1 h on the clock. What the numbers say about getting there, and where to book.
A nonstop flight would take about 2 h 35 min gate to gate, based on the distance and typical cruise speed with taxi and climb allowed for; connecting itineraries add the layover on top.
| Gilgit | Ürümqi | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Pakistan | China |
| Population | 216,760 | 4.1 million |
| Elevation | 1,467 m (4,813 ft) | 862 m (2,828 ft) |
| Time now | UTC+5 (Asia/Karachi) | UTC+6 (Asia/Urumqi) |
| Nearest large airport | GIL, 2 km out | URC, 16 km out |
Clocks in Ürümqi are 1 h ahead of Gilgit right now, so a 2 h 35 min journey lands 3 h 35 min later by the destination clock.
What changes when you arrive in Ürümqi
Crossing from Pakistan into China: money changes from the Rupee to the Yuan Renminbi (CNY); traffic switches to the right; sockets are AS/NZS 3112, Euro, NEMA 1-15; the dialling code becomes +86; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648823 / http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648851.
Airports at each end
Leaving Gilgit
Gilgit is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Gilgit Airport (GIL), 2 km (1 mi) from the centre, with a longest runway of 5,400 ft, which limits it to short and medium-haul aircraft.
Arriving in Ürümqi
Ürümqi is served by one airport with scheduled flights. The closest large one is Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC), 16 km (10 mi) from the centre, whose 11,811-ft runway is long enough for long-haul wide-body aircraft.
| Airport | Code | From centre | Longest runway | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport | URC | 16 km (10 mi) | 11,811 ft | 2,125 ft |
Book a flight to Ürümqi
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Flights are sold here by AirOrSeaTravel through our booking partner, Nuitée, which takes the payment; the ticket is issued by the airline. How this works.
Staying in Ürümqi
Our booking partner lists 65 places to stay in Ürümqi. Of the 60 with a star rating, the largest group is 3-star (23), and 9 are five-star. Guests have left 749 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Ürümqi
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Ürümqi from Gilgit?
1,430 km (889 mi) in a straight line, north-east of Gilgit.
How long does it take to get from Gilgit to Ürümqi by air?
About 2 h 35 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds for a nonstop flight. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Gilgit and Ürümqi?
Ürümqi is 1 h ahead at the moment (Asia/Urumqi against Asia/Karachi).
Which airports are used for Gilgit to Ürümqi flights?
Typically Gilgit Airport (GIL) to Ürümqi Tianshan International Airport (URC).
What currency do I need in Ürümqi?
The Yuan Renminbi (CNY).
Where can I stay in Ürümqi?
Our booking partner lists 65 places to stay in Ürümqi, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.