Far West China

Urumqi International Grand Bazaar | Worth a Visit in 2021?

For travelers visiting Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang region, you’ll likely hear about a place known as the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar (乌鲁木齐国际大巴扎) as well as the nearby Er Dao Qiao Market (二道桥). Considering the fact that there aren’t many tourist attractions in Urumqi, it’s no wonder that you’ll find this place on every travel itinerary. So is it really worth a visit?

There’s a lot of confusion about the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar. What’s inside and what can you buy? What’s the history behind this place, anyway?

In this travel guide guide we cover all you need to know to plan your visit to the Grand Bazaar and surrounding attractions.

All of the information you’ll find here is taken from the FarWestChina Xinjiang Travel Guide, the most comprehensive, highly-reviewed guide for the region. If you’re planning a trip to China’s western Xinjiang region, this book will be the most up-to-date tool your find to help you along.

Grab a copy of the book (available as a paperback and a Kindle download) or, if you’re still unsure, download a free planning chapter here.

Now, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar, including the history, layout and what’s worth doing.

Walk Through the Urumqi Grand Bazaar [Video]

Before you read below, take a moment to watch this quick FarWestChina video that will walk you through the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar and even up to see the views from the tower!

Check out more great Xinjiang videos on the FarWestChina YouTube channel!

The Grand Bazaar is an interesting place to visit in Urumqi, to be sure, but as I mentioned in the video, it’s not nearly as historic as it seems at first glance.

History of the Urumqi Grand Bazaar

A stroll through the Urumqi Grand Bazaar gives you the impression that you’re walking through an historic landmark.

A Silk Road theme is present and a sign next to the central tower introduces Xinjiang’s role along the ancient Silk Road, offering hints that the Grand Bazaar must be pretty old.

At least that is how you may feel…until a close look at the small pyramid at the western entrance reveals that the Grand Bazaar was first built in 2003!

Additionally, any conversation with locals in the area will inform you that the Grand Bazaar has little to do with Uyghur culture and modern life in Xinjiang.

It’s true that the land near Er Dao Qiao market across the street from the bazaar has a history of being a location for merchants to trade their wares. However, the buildings themselves have no historical value.

Inside the Urumqi Grand Bazaar

During your visit to the Urumqi Grand Bazaar, there are a number of things that you can do including shopping for souvenirs, viewing the city from the tower and even watching a Uyghur song and dance show.

Souvenir Shopping at the Grand Bazaar

You can treat the Grand Bazaar as a one-stop shop for all your souvenir shopping in Xinjiang.

Here you will find items representing the major ethnic groups in Xinjiang including Uyghur musical instruments, atlas fabric, local rugs, and Uyghur knives.

Important Note: Be advised that no matter what the vendors say, do not count on being able to purchase a knife and getting it out of the country. It’s best to enjoy the craftsmanship of these knives and spend your money on other souvenirs.

When haggling for souvenirs, understand that almost all the items for sale in the Grand Bazaar can also be purchased in other tourist destinations like Turpan or even at the beautiful Kashgar Sunday Bazaar. If you cannot agree on a fair price, you will likely get a better deal down the road.

Additionally it is best to avoid purchasing Xinjiang dates and raisins here since the sellers mark up prices far higher than the many street vendors you will see all over Xinjiang.

If you do not get enough shopping after strolling through the main segment of the Grand Bazaar, directly facing across from the main entrance as well as on the other side of the subway construction are separate buildings for additional souvenir shopping.

Central Tower at the Urumqi Grand Bazaar

Tourists can visit the top of the central tower at the Grand Bazaar for a steep price of 50 RMB.

Unfortunately, the view from the top is nothing special (it’s hard to get a good picture with the dirty windows!) and you can see far better views of Urumqi’s skyline at Hongshan Park for free.

Unless going to the top of the tower sounds really compelling, this is probably something you can scratch off your itinerary.

The Mosque at the Urumqi Grand Bazaar

The Mosque at the Grand Bazaar is among my favorite sights to see at the Grand Bazaar. The architecture and minarets make for beautiful pictures both at sunset and at night.

If you plan your timing right, you will also be able to see a gathering of Uyghurs at the Mosque for one of the five daily prayers.

You should also be able to take a look inside the Mosque if you so desire, but remember this is a place of worship. Put away your camera and remember to take off your shoes.

Uyghur Dance and Dinner Show

Although the Uyghur culture is rich and multi-faceted, China tends to focus most of its tourism marketing on the Uyghur song and dance.

The 12 muqams, or melodies, form a central pillar within traditional Uyghur culture and experiencing this cultural heritage can be worthwhile for tourists interested in Uyghur music.

Catering to this need, at the Grand Bazaar you can see live performances of Uyghur music and dance. Tickets run between 100 and 200RMB and the fee usually includes dinner. Dinner starts at 7:15 with the performance following at 8:00.

To inquire on exact pricing and booking tickets, you or your hotel / hostel can call the following numbers: 8555485, 8555486, and 8558000.

Explore Surrounding Market and Alleys

Before leaving the Grand Bazaar plan on also window shopping through the Er Dao Qiao Market. While the Grand Bazaar itself is primarily meant for tourists buying souvenirs, in the Er Dao Qiao market you may see locals purchasing wares and clothing.

If feeling more adventurous and want to get off the beaten path, the alleyways surrounding the area give you a more authentic picture into regular life of Uyghurs in Urumqi.

There used to be a lovely back alley nearby, but this has since been torn down.

Eating at the Urumqi Grand Bazaar

There are a number of incredible restaurants at the Grand Bazaar, but keep in mind that none of them are actually in the bazaar. The only exception are a pair of upscale restaurants next to the entrance to the Mosque on the east side.

In the Grand Bazaar itself is a fast food restaurant that sells overpriced Xinjiang food that pales in comparison to what you can eat at nearby restaurants.

I suggest checking out one of the many restaurants along the street on the north side of the Grand Bazaar. You can find all of the best Xinjiang Uyghur food from polo, langman, beef noodles, kebabs, samsa and other local delicacies.

If the restaurants are a little crowded you can also keep walking west along the street on the opposite side of the construction for even more delicious options.

Is the Grand Bazaar Worth Your Time?

You could see all the major highlights of the Grand Bazaar within 30 minutes. If you plan on eating in the area, budget a little over an hour.

This allows you to have a relaxed walk through the primary show area and see all the main highlights of the bazaar.

If you for some reason want to walk the whole bazaar, be aware that this can take several hours. As you are likely to see the same products at each shop, spending less time at the Grand Bazaar gives you more time to explore the less touristy and far more interesting alleyways surrounding the area.

Travel Information | International Grand Bazaar

The Grand Bazaar is in southern Urumqi near the Er Dao Qiao market. In addition to taking a taxi, there are multiple ways to get there via public transport. This includes the new Urumqi metro system.

For the purpose of travel, here is the info that you’ll need to know:

• Location Name: Grand Bazaar (大巴扎 Dàbāzhā) or Er Dao Qiao (二道桥 Èrdàoqiáo)
• Bus Stop/Metro Stop: The name of the stop you’re looking for is “Er Dao Qiao”
• Entrance Fee: Free to enter; paid activities inside.

Final Thoughts | Visiting Urumqi’s Grand Bazaar

In summary the Grand Bazaar is a worthwhile place to stop in Urumqi – even if it is a bit touristy – that can be done in less than an hour. Here you can take quality photos, shop for souvenirs. enjoy delicious Uyghur food, and head off to other interesting areas for sightseeing nearby.

As with all tourist areas that are heavily crowded around the world, be sure to keep an eye on your belongings here and leave anything really valuable at your hotel / hostel. Enjoy your trip to the Grand Bazaar!

DON’T FORGET: Grab a copy of the FarWestChina Xinjiang Travel Guide for your journey in and around Xinjiang. It’s an amazing resource that goes far beyond what you will find in Lonely Planet or other travel guides.