About Grand Bazaar
The Grand Bazaar (Erdaoqiao) is the largest bazaar in northwest China, a vibrant marketplace where Uyghur, Kazakh, and Han merchants sell spices, dried fruits, carpets, musical instruments, and handicrafts. The bazaar's Islamic architecture — with its domes, arches, and minarets — creates an atmosphere reminiscent of Central Asian markets along the ancient Silk Road.
The bazaar is a sensory feast, with the aroma of spices and grilled meat, the colors of dried fruits and textiles, and the sounds of bargaining and music. Visitors can find Xinjiang specialties — raisins, walnuts, apricots, saffron — as well as carpets, knives, and traditional clothing. The bazaar's food stalls offer local specialties like lamb skewers, naan bread, and pilaf. It's the best place in Urumqi to experience the region's multicultural heritage.
What Not to Miss
The dried fruits — Xinjiang's famous raisins, walnuts, and apricots.
The spices — saffron, cumin, and other Silk Road spices.
The carpets — traditional Uyghur and Kazakh woven carpets.
