Every Sunday, the ancient city of Kashgar comes alive with a spectacle that has repeated itself for over two thousand years. Merchants unfurl bolts of silk, stack pyramids of dried apricots, display hand-forged knives, and lead herds of sheep through clouds of dust. The Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is widely regarded as Asia's largest open-air market, and experiencing it remains one of the most unforgettable highlights of any visit to Kashgar's Old City.
Whether you are hunting for a hand-woven carpet, searching for the perfect blend of Central Asian spices, or simply soaking in the atmosphere of a living Silk Road tradition, this guide will help you navigate the bazaar like a seasoned traveler. At Silkroad Boutique, we have guided hundreds of visitors through these very lanes, and we have distilled our local knowledge into everything you need to know.
The Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is not a modern invention designed for tourists. It is a direct continuation of the trading traditions that flourished when Kashgar sat at the crossroads of the northern and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road. For more than two millennia, caravans arriving from Samarkand, Bukhara, and the Mediterranean would converge here to exchange goods with traders from the Chinese interior, Tibet, and the Indian subcontinent.
Historical records from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE) reference Kashgar as a major commercial hub. The city's strategic position at the foot of the Pamir Mountains made it the natural place for east-west trade to pause, consolidate, and exchange. The Sunday bazaar grew organically from this role, and while the goods have evolved with the centuries, the essential character of the market remains remarkably unchanged.
Walking through the bazaar today, you will hear Uyghur, Mandarin, Kyrgyz, and occasionally Tajik spoken in the same stretch of stalls. This linguistic diversity is a living echo of Kashgar's historic role as a meeting point of civilizations. The market has survived wars, political upheavals, and modernization, and it continues to serve as the commercial heartbeat of southern Xinjiang.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Market Days | Sunday (main day), Saturday (smaller scale) |
| Opening Hours | Approximately 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (peak 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM) |
| Location | Northeast of Kashgar Old City, near the East Lake area |
| Distance from Old City | About 3 km (35-40 minute walk) |
| Getting There | Taxi (10-15 CNY), Bus Route 13 or 20, or walking |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 3-5 hours |
| Best Time to Visit | April - October (summer months offer the fullest experience) |
| Currency | Chinese Yuan (CNY); some stalls accept WeChat Pay / Alipay |
The sheer variety at the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar can be overwhelming. Here is a curated breakdown of the most sought-after items, along with what to look for in terms of quality and fair pricing.
Kashgar is famous for its hand-knotted wool carpets, a craft that dates back centuries. Genuine handmade carpets feature irregular knots (a sign of authenticity), vivid natural dyes, and traditional geometric or floral patterns. Prices range from 200 CNY for a small prayer rug to over 10,000 CNY for a large, finely knotted piece. Also look for embroidered skullcaps (doppa), silk scarves, and atlas fabric, the vibrant ikat-style silk that is iconic to Xinjiang.
The Yingjisha knife, named after a county near Kashgar, is one of Xinjiang's most prized crafts. These ornate pocket knives feature handles inlaid with bone, horn, or semi-precious stones. Prices range from 50 CNY for a simple utility knife to several hundred for a master craftsman's piece. Be aware that airline regulations prohibit carrying knives in cabin luggage, so plan for checked baggage or shipping.
Xinjiang produces some of China's finest dried fruits. Look for golden raisins, dried apricots, walnuts, almonds, and the region's famous red dates (jujubes). The quality is exceptional and the prices far lower than what you would pay in eastern Chinese cities. A kilogram of premium dried apricots costs around 30-50 CNY.
The spice stalls are a sensory explosion. Cumin, saffron, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and rose petals are piled in colorful mounds. Xinjiang saffron, while less famous than Iranian varieties, is high quality and significantly cheaper. Brick tea and local green teas are also popular purchases.
While the modern silk trade has changed since ancient times, you can still find beautiful silk fabrics and traditional Uyghur pottery. Hand-painted ceramics in cobalt blue and earthy terracotta make distinctive souvenirs that are lightweight enough to carry home.
Bargaining at the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is not just expected; it is an art form and a social ritual. Most vendors set their initial prices with negotiation in mind, and the process of haggling is often conducted with warmth and humor. Here are some tips drawn from years of guiding visitors through these exchanges.
Start by offering roughly 40-50% of the asking price. The vendor will counter, and you will typically settle somewhere around 60-70% of the original quote. Never accept the first price without negotiation, even if it seems reasonable, as this can signal to nearby vendors that you are an easy mark.
Use a calculator or your phone to show numbers if language is a barrier. This is completely normal and widely practiced. Keep your tone friendly and good-humored. A smile goes much further than aggression. If a vendor's final price still feels too high, simply walk away. In many cases, they will call you back with a better offer. If they do not, their price was likely fair.
For small items under 20 CNY, bargaining less aggressively is customary. For larger purchases like carpets, take your time. Ask to see multiple pieces, inquire about the materials and knotting technique, and let the vendor know you are a serious buyer. Some carpet dealers will offer tea and spend an hour showing you their collection. This is part of the experience, and it usually leads to a better price.
The Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is sprawling and loosely organized by product category. While there is no formal map, understanding the general layout will save you time and help you focus on what interests you most.
The main entrance area typically features clothing, textiles, and household goods. As you move deeper into the market, you will encounter the carpet and rug section, which is one of the most photogenic areas with stacks of colorful rugs hanging from frames. The knife and metalwork stalls cluster nearby.
The food and spice section occupies a central band, where the aromas of cumin and roasting meat create an unmistakable atmosphere. Further in, you will find the dried fruits and nuts area, where vendors encourage sampling. The livestock market, discussed in detail below, occupies the far eastern edge of the bazaar grounds.
Our advice: arrive early, do a full circuit first without buying anything, and then circle back to the stalls that caught your eye. This prevents impulse purchases and gives you a sense of the full market's scope.
Perhaps the most visually striking section of the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is the livestock market, where farmers and herders bring sheep, goats, cattle, horses, and donkeys to trade. This is not a tourist performance; it is a genuine working market where serious agricultural commerce takes place.
Buyers inspect teeth, feel ribs for condition, and negotiate prices through a traditional hand-signal system conducted under a cloth or sleeve, a practice that has remained unchanged for generations. The dust, the noise, and the sheer scale of the animal trading create scenes that feel lifted from another era.
The livestock market typically peaks between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. If you plan to visit this section, wear closed-toe shoes and be prepared for dusty, uneven ground. It is one of the most photographed scenes in all of Xinjiang, but remember to ask permission before taking close-up portraits of individuals.
No visit to the Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is complete without eating your way through the food stalls. The bazaar offers some of the most authentic and affordable street food in Xinjiang, and many travelers consider this the best meal they have during their entire trip.
Look for lamb kebabs (kawap) grilled over charcoal, freshly baked naan bread pulled from clay ovens, hand-pulled lagman noodles swimming in tomato and pepper sauce, and polo (pilaf), a fragrant rice dish cooked with lamb, carrots, and onions. For something lighter, try samsa, baked pastries filled with spiced lamb and onion, or fresh fruit juices pressed from pomegranates and mulberries.
A full meal at the bazaar food stalls costs between 15 and 40 CNY per person. Cash is essential, as very few food vendors accept cards. For more on the region's culinary treasures, see our complete Xinjiang cuisine guide.
The Kashgar Sunday Bazaar is one of the most photogenic markets in Asia, but respectful photography practices matter enormously here. The people of Kashgar are generally warm and hospitable, but they deserve the same courtesy you would extend anywhere.
Always ask before photographing individuals. A smile and a gesture toward your camera is the universal language, and most vendors will nod or pose if they are comfortable. Some may decline, especially older women, and this should be respected without question. Children are often enthusiastic about being photographed, but still seek a parent's approval.
Wide-angle shots of market scenes, stalls, and crowds are generally unproblematic. The livestock market offers dramatic light and action, but the working farmers there are sometimes wary of cameras, so build rapport before shooting. Early morning light, between 8:00 and 10:00 AM, is spectacular for photography, with long shadows and golden dust in the air.
For serious photographers, a 35mm or 50mm prime lens is ideal for market work, allowing you to shoot discreetly while maintaining image quality in the variable lighting conditions of the bazaar.
Travelers who have visited other famous bazaars along the Silk Road route often ask how Kashgar compares. The answer is that it occupies a unique middle ground between several traditions.
Compared to Istanbul's Grand Bazaar, Kashgar is far less commercialized and tourist-oriented. It remains a working market where local people shop for everyday needs, not a curated experience for visitors. Compared to the bazaars of Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, Kashgar is larger and more chaotic, with a stronger emphasis on livestock and agricultural products alongside handicrafts.
The Sunday market in Kashgar also carries an atmosphere that is distinct from the daily bazaars of Iran or Morocco. The combination of Uyghur, Central Asian, and Chinese cultural influences creates a blend found nowhere else. If you have time to visit only one market in all of Central Asia, Kashgar's Sunday Bazaar should be your choice. For tips on the best season to plan your visit, check our guide to the best times to visit Xinjiang.
Ready to explore the legendary Kashgar Sunday Bazaar with a local guide who knows every stall and shortcut? Contact Silkroad Boutique for a custom itinerary designed by local experts.
The main market operates every Sunday, with some smaller stalls also open on Saturdays. Trading typically runs from about 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the busiest period between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. We recommend arriving by 9:00 AM to experience the market as it comes fully alive.
The bazaar is located about 3 kilometers northeast of Kashgar Old City. The easiest option is a taxi, which costs around 10-15 CNY and takes about 10 minutes. Local buses (Route 13 or 20) are cheaper but require some Chinese language ability. The walk takes about 35-40 minutes and passes through interesting neighborhoods.
Yes, bargaining is a normal and expected part of the shopping experience at most stalls. Start by offering 40-50% of the asking price and negotiate toward 60-70%. Keep your approach friendly and good-humored. For small items under 20 CNY, less aggressive bargaining is appropriate. Walking away is a perfectly valid negotiation tactic.
Photography is generally welcomed, but always ask permission before photographing individuals. A smile and a gesture toward your camera is usually sufficient. The livestock market area is more sensitive, and some vendors may decline. Wide shots of market scenes are typically unproblematic.
Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB) is the standard currency. Bring cash in smaller denominations, as change for large bills can be difficult to obtain. Mobile payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay are increasingly accepted, but not universal. Some carpet and high-value goods dealers may accept USD, but this is uncommon.