"I think everyone should see the Sunday Market in Kashi (Kashgar) at least once. I arrived there in the early morning while it was still dark. More and more horses, donkeys and sheep gradually entered the market, followed by farmers and herdsmen selling carriages, furniture and fruits. The growing procession and rising noise and excitement stirred something within me."

Owing to its favorable position, countless merchants from many parts of the world would go to Kashgar, so it was also known as "the pearl on the Ancient Silk Road". Bazaars are the focus of activity nearly every day, with stalls dotted here and there, and crowded streets. Throughout the bazaars, you will find some stalls that sell everything while others specialize and sell local produce, arts and crafts, garments, knives, timber, coal, and animals.

Kashgar is especially famous for its delicate knives sold in the streets by hawkers. It is also a hat-making center and certain sections of streets are devoted entirely to the selling of hats and beautiful fur-lined headgear. Blacksmiths' shops line both sides of the streets, and the sound from them can be heard everywhere. Colorful painted wooden saddles are on sale, and you can pick your dinner from a choice line-up of goats' heads and hooves. The western part of the bazaar is devoted mainly to Uigur and Kyrgyz, while the eastern part is for household goods and hardware.

Today, although most of the bazaars have disappeared, we can still find the past glory of this ancient city in what remains.

Recommended Time for a Visit: Opening every day, but the best visit time is on Sunday