Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar Scenic Area is located in Tianshan District, Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a national 4A-level scenic area. As a gathering place and exhibition center for Xinjiang's tourism products, the scenic area integrates functions such as ethnic commerce, catering, ethnic art display, and retail, demonstrating a strong Islamic cultural architectural style. The most representative building in the scenic area is the 40-meter-high observation tower, surrounded by a Grand Bazaar building complex with a construction area of 100,000 square meters. The entire scenic area covers an area of about 39,000 square meters, making it the largest bazaar in China currently.
History and Culture
"Bazaar" means "market, agricultural trade market" in Uyghur. With a long history, it has become an important commercial distribution center along the Silk Road as early as more than 2,000 years ago. Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar Scenic Area was completed on June 26, 2003, and is one of the landmark buildings in Urumqi. The construction of the scenic area integrates modern business concepts and traditional ethnic culture, not only retaining the lively atmosphere of traditional Xinjiang bazaars but also endowing them with modern commercial functions, becoming an important window to display Xinjiang's multi-ethnic culture and economic development.
Main Attractions
International Grand Bazaar
The International Grand Bazaar is the core part of the scenic area, with nearly 3,000 shops operating products covering ethnic costumes, handicrafts, jewelry, special dried fruits, medicinal materials, etc. The unique architectural style in the bazaar is full of rich Islamic customs. Colorful glazed windows, exquisite carvings, and gorgeous decorations make people feel like they are in a medieval Arabian market.
Grand Bazaar Observation Tower
The Grand Bazaar Observation Tower is 40 meters high and is the landmark building of the scenic area. The tower is equipped with an elevator, allowing visitors to take the elevator to the top of the tower to overlook the urban landscape of Urumqi. The tower is decorated with exquisite Islamic-style patterns. At night, the tower is illuminated by lights, becoming a beautiful landscape in the city sky.
Silk Road Observation Tower
The Silk Road Observation Tower echoes the Grand Bazaar Observation Tower, with a height of about 27 meters. The tower is engraved with the historical stories of the Silk Road and the local customs along the way, showing the important role of the Silk Road in cultural exchanges and commercial transactions between China and foreign countries. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the scenic area and its surroundings from the tower.
Grand Bazaar Banquet Hall
The Grand Bazaar Banquet Hall is a building with rich national characteristics, which can accommodate 1,000 people for dining at the same time. The banquet hall is luxuriously decorated, and national song and dance performances are often held. Visitors can not only taste authentic Xinjiang cuisine here but also enjoy wonderful national art performances and feel the enthusiasm and boldness of Xinjiang.
Food
Roasted Lamb Skewers
Roasted lamb skewers are one of the most representative delicacies in Xinjiang. Fresh lamb is cut into small pieces, threaded with red willow or iron skewers, sprinkled with salt, cumin, chili powder, and other seasonings, and roasted over charcoal fire. The roasted lamb skewers are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a fragrant smell, and are a must-try delicacy for visitors to the Grand Bazaar.
Hand-Pulled Rice
Hand-pulled rice is mainly made of rice, mutton, carrots, and onions, braised with clear oil, salt, and other seasonings. The rice is clear, the mutton is tender and juicy, and the carrots are sweet and delicious, rich in nutrition, and one of the favorite staples of Xinjiang people. Visitors can taste authentic hand-pulled rice in the restaurants of the Grand Bazaar.
Roasted Buns
Roasted buns are a kind of roasted pasta made of flour, mutton, onions, etc. Mutton and onions are chopped into fillings, wrapped in dough, and baked in a nang pit. The roasted buns have crispy skin and tender meat, with juicy and delicious taste, and are popular snacks in the Grand Bazaar.
Nang
Nang is one of the main pasta loved by people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, with various flavors such as sesame nang, green onion nang, and meat nang. It is mainly made of flour, fermented with water, yeast, salt, etc., and baked, with the characteristics of long storage and delicious taste. In the shops of the Grand Bazaar, visitors can buy various flavors of nang as souvenirs to take home.
Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken
Xinjiang Big Plate Chicken is a classic Xinjiang dish, mainly made of chicken, potatoes, and green peppers, cooked with chili, Sichuan pepper, and other seasonings. This dish is bright in color, spicy and fresh in taste, and full in portion, usually served in a big plate, suitable for sharing by multiple people. This delicious dish can be tasted in many restaurants of the Grand Bazaar.
Tickets
The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar Scenic Area is free to open, and visitors can enter freely for sightseeing. Some attractions such as observation towers and song and dance performances in the banquet hall may require separate tickets, and the specific ticket prices are subject to the public notice in the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open all day, and visitors can enter at any time. The business hours of shops are generally 10:00-22:00, and the specific time may vary slightly due to seasons and merchants. The Grand Bazaar is more lively at night, with bright lights, and most national song and dance performances are held in the evening, which is a good time to experience the atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: After entering the scenic area, first visit the International Grand Bazaar to feel the strong ethnic commercial atmosphere and purchase favorite handicrafts and special products; then go to the Grand Bazaar Observation Tower to overlook the city panorama from the tower; then go to the Silk Road Observation Tower to understand the history and culture of the Silk Road; have lunch in the Grand Bazaar Banquet Hall, taste Xinjiang food, and enjoy national song and dance performances; in the afternoon, you can continue to stroll in the bazaar or visit the surrounding characteristic blocks to experience the local life atmosphere.
Transportation
- Bus: Take buses No. 10, 16, 61, 63, 104, 310, 911, 912, 920, 923, etc., and get off at the "Grand Bazaar" station.
- Subway: Take Urumqi Subway Line 1, get off at "South Gate" station, and walk for about 10 minutes to reach.
- Self-driving: There are parking lots around the scenic area. Self-driving visitors can park their vehicles in the nearby parking lots and then walk into the scenic area.
Must-Visit Attractions
- International Grand Bazaar: The largest bazaar in China, with nearly 3,000 shops gathering characteristic products from all over Xinjiang, a good place for shopping and feeling national customs.
- Grand Bazaar Observation Tower: 40 meters high, the landmark building of the scenic area. Climbing the tower can overlook the urban landscape of Urumqi, and the tower is beautifully decorated with strong Islamic style.
- Grand Bazaar Banquet Hall: It can accommodate 1,000 people for dining. While tasting Xinjiang food here, enjoy wonderful national song and dance performances and experience the food culture and artistic charm of Xinjiang.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to arrange half a day to a day to play, fully feeling the lively atmosphere and unique charm of the Grand Bazaar.
- The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is large. It is recommended to carry appropriate clothing according to the weather conditions.
- When shopping in the bazaar, you can bargain appropriately, but pay attention to politeness and respect the local business habits.
- When tasting food, it is recommended to choose regular restaurants to ensure food hygiene.
- The Grand Bazaar is gorgeous at night, and the national song and dance performances are wonderful. It is recommended not to miss them.
Notes
- The scenic area is densely populated. Please take care of your belongings to avoid loss.
- Respect the local ethnic customs and religious beliefs, and do not comment or offend casually.
- Do not litter in the scenic area and keep the environment clean.
- When taking the elevator of the observation tower, follow the order and obey the arrangement of the staff.
- If you participate in national song and dance performances, respect the performers, do not take photos or videos casually, and ask for permission first if you need to take photos or videos.