There are many bazaars in Kashgar (kā shí 喀什), scattering in different streets of both rural and urban areas, but the best-known is the East Gate Grand Bazaar (dōng mén dà bā zhā 东门大巴扎). This is because the East Gate Grand Bazaar is the biggest of its kind in Kashgar and offers richest varieties of commodities and most favorable prices, which attracts lots of customers to the bustling bazaar.

Introduction

Bazaar means market in Uygur language (wéi wú ěr yǔ 维吾尔语). Kashgar is a famous cultural and historic city and also a center of commodities distribution on the ancient Silk Road. In ancient times, tradesmen and travelers started off from Xi'an (xī ān 西安) to meet at Kashgar, no matter whether they chose the south or the north routes of the Tianshan Mountain (tiān shān 天山).

With a history of more than 2,000 years, Kashgar Grand Bazaar (kā shí dà bā zhā 喀什大巴扎) was well-known as the "biggest market in Asia" in ancient times. The full name of Kashgar Grand Bazaar is Central and West Asia International Trading Market and it is now the largest market for farm produce in Xinjiang (xīn jiāng 新疆). Occupying a total area of 250 mu and offering 21 specialized markets, Kashgar Grand Bazaar has more than 4,000 fixed booths and one food street, offering more than 9,000 kinds of commodities in rich varieties. Annual trading volume at the bazaar hits about 125 million yuan. Every Sunday, the bazaar is very busy with a constant stream of vehicles and people and sometimes, customers at the bazaar can reach more than 100,000.

The Kashgar Grand Bazaar (Dabazha) (with exception of the Sunday Market) is the busiest part of the city. The market is a kind of agricultural market, which has expanded to include anything you can think of, including clothing, knives, and more.

As an expansion on the same theme, Kashgar is also home to a weekly Sunday Market that takes place on the northeastern outskirts of the city. The mixture of people of different ethnic backgrounds from all over Central Asia descending on Kashgar to trade and buy various wares gives the market an incredible atmosphere, so it is worth braving the crowds.

Goods Available

The goods available include pots and pans, clothing, utensils and knives, and even live animals such as donkeys, goats and horses.

Good quality carpets can be found in the shops on the streets heading north from the square. A complete array of carpets, many rough looking and with simple designs reflects the less well-known culture of the nomads around this area. Prices here are about one third of those in Turkey.

Xinjiang hats are popular souvenirs and also an integral part of the daily life of the people here. The streets east of the square have a good selection of all colors and patterns. Prayer hats, skull hats and furry winter hats favored by old Uygur men (wéi wú ěr zú rén 维吾尔族人) can be found here.

Heading south from here is the main bazaar, where blacksmiths and carpenters can be seen hard at work in front of their workshops and stalls. Knives with handles inlaid with jewels and ivory, chests decorated with tin, and numerous musical instruments can all be purchased here.

North of the square is a cloth market, close to which are some of the weirdest looking restaurants in Kashgar. To the south of the square is a night market.

Best time to visit: August and September

Admission Fee: Free

Bus Route: No.17 and 20

Opening Hours: Whole Day (Sunday is the best time for a visit)

Tips:
1. If you don't want to buy the thing you have had a look at because of the price or other reasons, please put your right hand on your heart to say 'I think I'll leave it. Thank you just the same.'
2. Travelers are strongly advised to be wary of pickpockets around here.