Urumchi Bazaar

It's not difficult to spot the famous Erdaoqiao Bazaar in Urumchi even if you're a stranger to the city: just follow the beats of the dap drums (a simple hand-held drum rather like a tambourine without the extra jingles). The city of Erdaoqiao has a large population of ethnic groups, mostly Uygurs and its bazaar covers an area of 39,888 sq m. It''s the biggest bazaar in the world, larger even than that in Istanbul, Turkey.

Erdaoqiao Bazaar

About 2,000 years ago, bazaars emerged in what was known as the "western regions", today's Xinjiang area. Since then, born with merchant's genes, Uygurs have been trading with foreigners in bazaars, making deals and cultural exchanges.

Erdaoqiao has long been a distribution center for goods from both Xinjiang and central Asian countries, as well as a haven for different ethnic groups. As the daylight fades, hurricane lamps are lit and Erdaoqiao bustles with trade in food and handicrafts, and dancing. In 1982, a covered market was opened, 330 m long and covering 6,756 sq m. More than 660 proprietors sell over 1,600 Uygur goods there and each day more than 20,000 people including vendors, merchants, visitors and customers make this place a part of their life. The new Erdaoqiao Market was completed on August 18, 2002. It covers 35,000 sq m and, together with the old market, forms a lively tourist and trading center.

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