Although the central government is trying to “suppress” the Uyghur ethnicity, its folklore and culture relives every day in its markets.
There are three markets that are worth visiting.
The livestock market, which is held every Sunday. The day begins with the arrival of the shepherds from the surrounding areas and, within a few hours, all the trucks would be emptied by the animals and you will find yourself surrounded by hundreds of sheep, goats and donkeys. Every seller will try to make his “goods” appealing, since they will be carefully evaluated by the buyers’ expert eye.
The great Sunday bazaar is where you’ll be overwhelmed by the smell of food, spices and herbs stalls. You’ll be enchanted by the bright colors of the fabrics and traditional hats on sale.
The Ou Er Daxike night market, located in the old town, is a great place to enjoy the Uyghur cuisine. There is a wide range of choice between fried fish, kebabs, fried dumplings and boiling goat head soups, and delicious meat skewers (shashlik).
