Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar

Even from outside, the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar looks majestic with its blue mosaic tiles and grand tower. Inside, it’s a maze of stalls selling ceramics, spices, instruments, clothing, and more. As a crafter, I went crazy over the hand-dyed yarns and embroidered fabrics — so many textures and colors. The shopkeepers were friendly and didn’t mind that I mainly nodded and smiled while taking photos. It honestly felt like stepping into the heart of Central Asia. This was my favorite memory of Xinjiang.

We came for the architecture and stayed for the energy. The main tower is stunning, and from the square you can just watch the world go by — families, tourists, traders, musicians. Bargaining for a wool scarf and some saffron was actually fun once we got the hang of it. We also had a fantastic lamb pilaf at a little spot inside. Just bring small bills and be ready to walk away if the price feels too high. Overall, an amazing experience — 10/10.

Wow, what a feast for the senses! The smell of spices and grilled kebabs hits you the moment you step in. Colorful pottery, patterned knives, embroidered hats, beautiful fabrics — I couldn't stop looking at everything. I ended up chatting with a tea vendor who let me sample jasmine and pomegranate tea, and it was such a warm experience. Later in the evening, a group of local dancers gathered in the square and the whole place felt like a celebration. A must-see in Xinjiang, and I’d easily come back.

This place is definitely atmospheric. I especially loved the Uyghur music playing in the background and the way the whole complex looked golden at sunset. I bought some incredible dried apricots and a little hand-painted wooden box. My only real complaint is the constant touting and the obvious tourist markup on prices. You just have to haggle or walk away. Still, it’s a fun and lively stop, and worth a visit if you’re exploring Urumqi.

The building itself is gorgeous — the blue tiles and domes are worth seeing. But honestly, I left a little mixed. The shops are full of the same plastic trinkets, and the sellers can be really pushy. One vendor told me a scarf was real silk, and then I saw the exact same one for half the price a few stalls down. The food area was okay too, though the lamb skewers were a bit gristly. I’d say spend 30 minutes here for the architecture, but don’t expect a relaxing shopping experience.

Our kids still talk about the ice cream and the big-clock tower! The bazaar is a feast for all senses — sight, sound, smell of sizzling samsa. We spent hours just wandering, taking photos of the blue-tiled facades, and watching vendors make fresh naan. It's touristy, yes, but it's also authentic in its energy. A must-visit in Xinjiang. We felt very safe and welcomed.

This place is chaos in the best way. I went in ready to bargain and came out with a hand-painted copper teapot, a silk scarf, and about 2kg of apricots. The vendors are pushy at first but genuinely warm if you smile and chat. The central square has this amazing blend of Muslim architecture and Uyghur music. Don’t skip the sunflower seeds stand — they're roasted on the spot. Loved every minute.

Absolutely magical at sunset! The whole complex lights up like a jewel box, and the Uyghur dance performance in the square drew a massive crowd. I tried fresh pomegranate juice and grilled lamb skewers from a tiny stall — bursting with flavor. Even if it's touristy, it's the heartbeat of Urumqi. Would come back every weekend.

Went on a weekday morning to avoid crowds. The skyline and colorful tiled domes are beautiful, and I loved watching the bread being baked at the entrance. Lots of dry fruit and spice stalls to browse. Found a nice tea set for a fair price after haggling. Only downside is that most shops sell the same imported trinkets, but overall a fun couple hours.

Honestly, the bazaar is massive and photogenic from the outside, but inside it felt like one big souvenir shop. We were chased by vendors for selfies and carpet sales. The food court had decent kebabs but everything else was overpriced. Maybe go once for the architecture, but don't expect a genuine local market vibe.

A fantastic cultural immersion. The bazaar perfectly blends tradition and tourism—it's lively but not tacky. I particularly enjoyed the live performances near the main square, and the food court offers amazing Uyghur cuisine at reasonable prices. The staff at the information desk were helpful with directions. An unforgettable afternoon.

Hands down the best market I've visited in China! Everything is so authentic, from the Uyghur music playing in the background to the friendly vendors who let you sample dried apricots and nuts. Don't miss the observation deck for a panoramic view of the bazaar and the surrounding city. I could have spent two days here. Highly recommended!

This bazaar is a feast for the senses! The mix of smells—spices, grilled meat, fresh bread—is incredible. I loved watching the artisans at work, especially the wood carvers and rug weavers. Bought a beautiful hand-painted ceramic plate as a gift. The only downside? The restrooms were hard to find and not very clean. Still, a solid 4-star experience overall.

Quite an experience, but it felt a bit overwhelming with the crowds and non-stop sales pitches. The market is huge and has some unique souvenirs, but the constant pressure from shopkeepers to buy made it less enjoyable. I did enjoy the local snacks like lamb skewers and naan bread, though. Worth a quick stop, but don't expect a relaxed browse.

Absolutely loved the vibrancy of this place! The sheer variety of handcrafted items, from intricate carpets to dazzling jewelry, is mind-blowing. I spent hours just wandering through the alleys, haggling for a silk scarf and some dried fruits. The architecture alone is worth the visit—those blue domes and towering minarets are Instagram gold. A must-see in Urumqi!

Best market I've ever been to, hands down. I'm a solo traveler and I felt completely safe walking around even in the evening. The variety is insane—one minute you're looking at traditional carpets, the next you're tasting dried apricots from Kashgar. I met a local vendor who showed me how to make Uyghur tea. The architecture alone is worth the trip: those towering columns and colorful mosaics are Instagram gold. I'll never forget the energy here. Five stars plus a big thumbs up!

I visited with my family and we all had a fantastic time. The kids loved watching the naan being baked in the tandoor oven and trying fresh pomegranate juice. My husband bargained for a beautiful copper teapot. The complex is massive but well‑organized; we took a guided tour that explained the history of the Silk Road. The view from the observation deck is gorgeous, especially at sunset. Friendly people, vibrant colors, and so much to see. Definitely a five‑star experience, would recommend to anyone.

Absolutely blown away! This place is a sensory overload in the best way. From the moment you enter, you're hit with the aroma of grilled lamb, fresh naan, and spices. I spent hours wandering through the maze of alleys, discovering handmade knives, embroidered hats, and exotic teas. The Uyghur music performances in the central square added such a joyful atmosphere. I bought way too much, but every item feels special. A highlight of my Xinjiang trip—five stars without hesitation!

A solid four stars! I loved the hustle and bustle, especially the spice and dried fruit section—smelled amazing. The architecture is stunning, with those blue domes and intricate tiles. Got some excellent pistachios and a handwoven rug. Only reason I'm not giving five is that it's very crowded and a few vendors were pushy. Also, the restrooms could be cleaner. But if you're into Middle Eastern bazaar vibes, this is a must‑see in Urumqi.

Honestly, I was a bit let down by the overall vibe. The bazaar is huge and has a lot of stalls, but many of them sell the same mass‑produced souvenirs. Prices are on the high side for tourists, and I haggled for a scarf that felt cheap. The food court was overcrowded and the lamb skewers were just okay. Maybe I came on a bad day, but it didn't feel as authentic as I hoped. Three stars for the impressive architecture, but the shopping experience needs improvement.

Honestly a bit let down. I've been to other bazaars in Central Asia and this one felt way too commercialized. Vendors were aggressive, constantly pulling at my arm to buy things, and many items felt mass-produced rather than authentic. The prices were hiked up for tourists – I saw the same scarf priced double compared to a shop outside. The noise and crowd were overwhelming, and I couldn't find a quiet spot to just take it all in. Maybe it's fine for a quick photo stop, but I wouldn't spend more than an hour here.

Overall a solid experience. The bazaar is enormous and has almost everything you can imagine – from traditional clothing to cheap souvenirs. The variety is impressive, but I found some of the prices a bit inflated for tourists. Also, navigating the maze-like alleys can be confusing without a map. The food court area was good but a little chaotic. Still, I enjoyed the lively atmosphere and managed to grab a nice hand-woven rug after some hard bargaining. Would come back but maybe on a weekday.

If you're a food lover, this is heaven. I tried the biggest lamb kebab I've ever seen, washed down with sweet Xinjiang milk tea. The dried fruit stalls are incredible – dates, figs, mulberries all piled high. I also sampled some local pastries that were like nothing I've had before. The only downside is that it gets extremely crowded on weekends, but the energy is addictive. I left with a full stomach and a bag of spices.

This place is a cultural goldmine. The architecture alone is worth the trip – those grand arches and colorful tiles are stunning. I loved chatting with the artisans who demonstrated carpet weaving and wood carving. The Uyghur music performances in the central square added such a lively vibe. Bought a beautiful hand-embroidered bag and some dried apricots. Only wish I had more time to explore every corner. Highly recommended for culture lovers!

Absolutely loved this place! The moment I stepped into the bazaar, I was hit with the intoxicating mix of sizzling lamb skewers, fresh naan, and exotic spices. Every stall was a feast for the eyes – vibrant silk scarves, hand-painted ceramics, and intricate metalwork. I spent hours just wandering and bargaining with the friendly shopkeepers. Don't miss the rooftop view at sunset; the golden light on the minarets is magical. A must-visit for anyone in Urumqi!

Honestly, I was a bit let down. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar feels more like a commercialized shopping mall than a traditional market. Most of the 'handicrafts' looked mass-produced – same items in every shop. The food was average at best; my lagman noodles were bland and the portion small for the price. The constant hawking from vendors got tiring after ten minutes. Also, the place was packed with tour groups, making it hard to move. I'd skip it and explore the old town alleys instead.

A decent place to spend a few hours if you're in Urumqi. The architecture is impressive – that huge dome with blue tiles is photogenic. I enjoyed browsing the handicraft stalls, but prices seemed inflated compared to smaller markets outside the city. Bought a small hand-painted vase for 80 yuan which felt okay. The food court had good variety, but the kebabs were a tad overpriced. It's clean and well-organized, just not as authentic as I'd hoped. Worth a visit, but manage your expectations.

Came here around sunset and the bazaar turned into a magical place. The main square was lit with lanterns and the smell of roasted nuts and grilled meat filled the air. I sat on a rooftop teahouse and watched the crowds below while sipping salty butter tea. The live performance of traditional Xinjiang dance was mesmerizing – the dancers' dresses shimmered under the lights. Only downside: some shopkeepers were a bit pushy, but nothing aggressive. Overall a 5-star evening.

Brought my kids here during our trip to Xinjiang and it was a hit with everyone. The bazaar is huge but easy to navigate – plenty of open spaces for little legs to run around. My daughter loved the puppet show near the craft section, and my son couldn't stop staring at the massive copper samovars. We bought dried apricots and some cute embroidered hats for souvenirs. Only minor complaint: the restroom queues were long and not very clean. Still, a fantastic cultural experience for families. Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar! The moment you step inside, you're hit with a whirlwind of colors, spices, and the sound of Uyghur music echoing through the halls. I spent hours wandering through the textile alley – the handwoven silk carpets are incredible. Had some fresh naan and lamb skewers from a tiny stall near the central dome; the meat was smoky and perfectly seasoned. If you want authentic local vibes without the tourist trap feeling, this is it. A must in Urumqi!