International Grand Bazaar

Chinese name: 国际大巴扎（Guo Ji Da Ba Zha）
Location: 510#, South of Jiefang Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi.
Ticket: Free
Estimated time of tour: 1-2 hours
Recommended time of visit: all year round
Nearby attractions: Silk Road Museum, Heavenly Lake, Nanshan Pasture, Red Hill Parl, etc.

Bazaar, pronounced as bazha in Mandarin Chinese, is a popular scene in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It means market or fair in Uygur language. Almost every city in Xinjiang has a Bazaar. Bazaar is a place not only for trading and exchanging of goods; it is also a place for people to socialize. 

The International Grand Bazaar of Urumqi is the largest of its kind in Xinjiang, with total area of 100,000 square meters; it is probably the largest bazaar in the world. The International Grand Bazaar is a must visit place for visitors to get a glimpse of the local life. It is a magnificent commercial complex with a strong Islamic architectural influence that includes a banquet hall, a food court, a sightseeing tower, an open-air stage, and a mosque. 

It serves as the biggest distribution hub of ethical handicrafts in Xinjiang. It is the biggest trading center of Uygur styled carpets, well-known dry fruit and jade articles in China.

The bazaar is also an artistic place which attracts artists and artisans of Han, Uygur, Hui and Kazak origins. Their talents are highlighted in form of songs and dances.

The Banquet-Performance Grand Theater is capable of accommodating 1,000 people.  Visitors can find cuisine of Uygur style, and at the same time appreciate the unique performance. 

Xinjiang No.1 Sightseeing Tower inside the bazaar is now the iconic building in Urumqi. It towers 80 meters providing a panoramic view of the city. On first level of the tower, a viewing platform is built with area of 216 square meters. The second level is a pub with decoration styled in Xinjiang ethnic features.

Apart from things traditional and ethnic, the grand bazaar also designated an area for modern shopping mall which, like any shopping malls in other parts of China, international brands dominate the shops and restaurants.