Taking a Break at Urumqi's International Grand Bazaar in Xinjiang, China

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Taking a Break at Urumqi's International Grand Bazaar in Xinjiang, China

Рет қаралды 12,784

Күн бұрын

I needed to get out of my office for a bit, so I decided to take a quick trip down the road to the well-known Urumqi International Grand Bazaar. The question is...is this a worthwhile place to visit?
Read more about the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar here: www.farwestchi...
If you're traveling to Xinjiang, make sure to grab a copy of the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide: www.xjtravelgui...
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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 as well as the nearby Er Dao Qiao Market. 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.
But is the Urumqi International Grand Bazaar worth your time to visit the Grand Bazaar? What’s inside and what can you buy? In this video Josh gives you a look inside the bazaar and what's worth doing.
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About FarWestChina
Hi! My name is Josh Summers and I've been living in China's remote western region of Xinjiang since 2006. During that time, I've fallen in love with Xinjiang's incredible scenery and the fascinating Uyghur culture.
My goal with FarWestChina is to bring you inside this mysterious and mostly misunderstood corner of the world. I hope you enjoy the journey with me!

Пікірлер: 83

@emilymeyer8888 7 жыл бұрын

his youtube videos are great! He is not commercial he just whats humans to know about xingjang

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Emily!

@rezeyeabulaiti583 7 жыл бұрын

Hi Josh! I'm from Kashgar and I have been always watching your videos! All are really great captured! Thanks for your work!

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Thank you so much for watching and I hope you continue to enjoy them 😄

@TheTravelBugBite 7 жыл бұрын

I live in China and Urumqi is high on my bucket list! Thanks for showing us around, it looks like a fascinating place. I love the hats :D Everything looks so delicious, thanks for sharing!

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! There are some great places to visit out here in Xinjiang - definitely worth stopping by if you're already living in China.

@syncmaster915n 7 жыл бұрын

Just subbed! Keep up the good work, Josh. You're showing a world the rest of the world rarely see.

@MeldrumsWorld 7 жыл бұрын

The bazaar seems to be in a great location. Nice tourist spot but great to get a break from the office too!

@ArtyWildmaker 7 жыл бұрын

Although I yearn for the ancient, I find big crazy malls and tourist side shows fascinating!

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ha! It is interesting to just sit and people watch in a place like that, isn't it?

@JesseStLouis 7 жыл бұрын

It's cool to soak in the vibe of places like that, even if you don't buy anything. The energy, language, smells and visuals can be very stimulating. Great views from the tower.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Sometimes buying a few snacks or drinks is all you need to really enjoy a place like that.

@theitalianchica 7 жыл бұрын

even if the prices are high, I'd love to take a look over this colorful bazar! the view from the tower is amazing! :)

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

View was good but it was a bit pricey!

@cultureatz 7 жыл бұрын

Really awesome to catch a glimpse of this part of China. I had seen a few videos just before reading the Oracle Bones book (just finished it) - it has lots of Uighur characters. Funny how it is bulit for tourist there but a fun bazar. Crazy price for the juice. Bigger city then I thought from tower view.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

I think you would enjoy a visit out here, Evelyne! Urumqi maybe not as much, but getting outside into the smaller villages where you can explore the Uighur culture would be fun.

@drbarbarabrooks3798 7 жыл бұрын

Looks like a good overview of handicrafts available elsewhere, too!

@TheWorldnUs 7 жыл бұрын

I love your honesty in this video.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. If you visit there, I wouldn't be surprised if you get the same vibe.

@whereisjayac8185 7 жыл бұрын

The colours at the stalls look amazing! Haha iahte the whole 'price for locals and price for tourist' haggling that goes on lol

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Yea, it's just part of being a "tourist destination". You expect the pricing wars.

@adanina5835 7 жыл бұрын

Great video again!!! I enjoy this a lot.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the comment to let me know.

@OneEpicRoadTrip 7 жыл бұрын

I so can't wait to go to china. I guess your right markets like that are more touristy the for locals. I really enjoy your this

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

@faizankhalid44 6 жыл бұрын

i have no words to say.....Awesome!!

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Faizan!

@faizankhalid44 6 жыл бұрын

Travel Xinjiang: Far West China sir we need more about xinjiang province. how life works how Daily problem happenes. and what is the tremendous cultures of uyghur peoples....

@faizankhalid44 6 жыл бұрын

we hope that your next vedio are so helpful and inspiring to watch. Always wait for further vedios....

@nxp1026 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this video even though it's just a general touristy spot like anywhere else in China, still makes me want to take a trip there in the near future!

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it ;)

@cwrigh13 7 жыл бұрын

Urumqi was my absolute favourite stop city in China. We were there for a week waiting for visas to get into Kazakhstan and had a great time. The Uyghurs were extremely warm and hospitable (in stark contrast to the rest of China) and the food was amazing.

@cwrigh13 7 жыл бұрын

We ate at this restaurant every day for a week imgur.com/rOlMIQ3 does anyone know its name? It was seriously the best food we had in 6 weeks of travelling through China.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Glad you had a good time in Urumqi. As far as the restaurant is concerned, can you give me a better idea of where it is located?

@thenasir121938 7 жыл бұрын

For some of us who are slow to catch your words, can you consider showing the texts on the screen? It's been a pleasure watching your videos!

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

So sorry if I'm fast to talk! It usually takes about 1-2 hours for my closed captions to be uploaded. Then you can use that.

@paigeramseyadventures 7 жыл бұрын

Even though the tower is new it looks like it gives a pretty impressive 360 view of the city! Is that a restaurant at the top? That would be a neat place to eat as a tourist : )

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately no, no restaurant at the top. Just places to sit as far as I can tell. It cost 50 RMB to go up (~US$8) so to me it's not really worth it.

@paigeramseyadventures 7 жыл бұрын

Aw darn, I thought with the tables maybe they also served food, that would make it a bit more worth the money.

@hannahendozo 7 жыл бұрын

i love markets like that, so much random little things which i just buy so much off when i go to asia hah. ill keep this place in mind if i ever travel there

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Definitely! Markets have such a lively atmosphere to them.

@ash_au 7 жыл бұрын

I was at the "International Bazaar" in May. This place has all the authenticity and cultural significance of a Westfield Mall combined with an airport gift shop. Clearly targeting the domestic tour groups , this place can be can be safely skipped by international tourists visiting Xinjiang. I spend less then 15minunites in the centre, and most of that time I was trying to find the toilet.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ha! I understand where you're coming from completely. It's not a "must-see" place, although honestly there aren't many other places where you can buy a good souvenir. Yes, it will be overpriced and many of the trinkets are ridiculous (targeting the domestic tourist, as you said), but it's not ALL bad.

@ash_au 7 жыл бұрын

Well yes, I'm probably being a little harsh! I had just been in Kashgar and surrounds (amazing experience ) for 10 days prior to visiting this bazaar in Urumqi, so it was also going to be difficult sell!

@hermanchow1405 7 жыл бұрын

I only be to Xinjiang once , but you know Xinjiang, perhaps the whole China more than most Chinese , well done cowboy , ps are you sure your home state is Texas not Canton ???

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ha! I find that many times a long-term visitor has more motivation to explore and understand a place than the locals who grew up there.

@DreKC 7 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed seeing the Bazaar. It seemed desolate when I was there, because it was the anniversary of the 2009 riots.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ah yes, there was a time when it was not the tourist hot-spot because of security concerns.

@GoYvon 7 жыл бұрын

Might be touristy, but I would visit it too, looks fun enough. :) The juice is crazy priced, I don't even think they'd dare to ask that here in Beijing.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ha! I've been to tourist places in Beijing that jack up prices quite a bit as well! 😂

@LookWhosBlogging 7 жыл бұрын

hey, it's the 2nd time this week i've seen that TX home shirt!did they charge you 20 because you are white or it's just the price cuz it's touristy? that instrument the guy's playing is pretty cool. anyway, i thought i had subbed already....just hit the sub button!

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

I LOVE that shirt. I don't know why ;) I think they charge 20 RMB because it's a tourism area. You just expect to get ripped off in places like that. Thanks for the sub!

@ZsXie10 6 жыл бұрын

Lol youtuber from my home city hahahha. I subbed. Good job !

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Glad you subbed and hope you enjoy all my videos! 😀

@irshadkhan-pi1kr 7 жыл бұрын

The tower is inside beautiful

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

It's not too bad. Definitely not worth 50 RMB to go up, though.

@billandgrace3291 7 жыл бұрын

Hey! Great video! We're thinking of going to Xinjiang for a couple days in October...Where would you recommend going?

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ooh, that's a short question with a very long answer! There are a ton of great places - I would mostly recommend Turpan and Kashgar - but if you want more information, check out the FarWestChina Xinjiang travel guide: www.xjtravelguide.com

@robertsteinberger5667 3 жыл бұрын

Visit the camps where uyghurs are detained and abused....or a theme disneylike park related to that.....

@orkesasilturk6088 6 жыл бұрын

this is awesome,hometown get viewed by foreigner

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Haha! Glad you enjoy it 😀

@martinbragalone 6 жыл бұрын

What VPN do you use mostly? I saw some of your videso on VPNs but which one is just the overall fastest and best would you say for western China? I am going to Baotou in Inner Mongolia.

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Martin...I use mostly ExpressVPN right now, although I have 12VPN as a good backup as well.

@cositas2039 5 жыл бұрын

Do you recommend to explore the bazar? or is any other place more interesting to visit?

@seanmiddleton5744 7 жыл бұрын

It seems it has changed abit since I visited in 2015. There were more Uighurs before, now it looks more artificially planned Chinese town.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Eh, it's pretty much always been a major stop on the Chinese tour bus route. The local Uyghur rarely enter anymore.

@mrandmrsrlharrington4811 7 жыл бұрын

I liked the bazaar in Kashgar better but the grand bazaar is well worth seeing... Ate lunch across the street at Al Biak's and they gave me a free hat.

@mrandmrsrlharrington4811 7 жыл бұрын

Forgot to say have the ice cream it is the best in the world.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Ha! Glad you got a bit of Albaik to compliment the bazaar visit ;)

@wackyruss 5 жыл бұрын

How late is it open on Saturday night?

@houliu5467 4 жыл бұрын

yes now

@Clara-wg7zo 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Although the BGM is a kind of annoying.

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

@Adam_10_01 6 жыл бұрын

U just got ripped off 20 rmb lol, grand bazar was literally my backyard, i grew up in urumqi

@FarWestChina 6 жыл бұрын

Ha! Yea, I thought it was expensive too.

@josephguo6256 2 жыл бұрын

dirty window because the sand.

@RD-ht6go 4 жыл бұрын

I thought "bazzar" meant "airport" in Uyghur language first. 😂

@user-ww3ee4bs1n 7 жыл бұрын

frist

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

You mean "first"?

@marryme2298 7 жыл бұрын

Not into those man made commercial places, kinda sucks

@FarWestChina 7 жыл бұрын

Not my favorite either, to be honest. But frankly speaking, there's not much else for a tourist to do in Urumqi.

@karlhammond904 2 жыл бұрын

@@FarWestChina Are you not allowed to venture outside the designated tourist spots? Lets say to one of the concentration camps?? A couple of other youtubers have and it makes for much more interesting viewing!!