János Eifert - Photographer

Kínai napló, Urumqi, International Grand Basar Xinjiang, 2006. október 7.

October 07th, 2006 | Category: Napló / Diary,Utazás / Journey

Uygur-girl-Urumqi

Urumqi-Bazar

China-Urumqi-Basar

Kína / China, Urumqi, International Grand Basar Xinjiang (Photos: Eifert János)

Urumqi is quite famous for its claim that it is the most inland major city in the world, that being the furthest from any ocean. There are two major ethnic groups, the Han Chinese and the Uyghur. Other ethnic groups in Urumqi include Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Mongols and Hui Muslims.,

Most people in Urumqi can speak some level of Mandarin Chinese, albeit possibly with an accent, and Uygur, a Turkic language. If you do not speak Mandarin or Uyghur, you may have difficulties in Urumqi. Few people speak English, even in some of the large hotels. When taking a taxi, it is a good idea to be armed with a piece of paper with the name of your destination written in Mandarin.

Despite what some of the guidebooks say, Urumqi has a lot to offer and can provide a great introduction to Xinjiang.
 
Da Bazar / Erdaoqio market  – The Big Bazaar, a traditional Islamic market area and the main Uyghur enclave in downtown – definitely worth a visit in the evenings for some food and people watching. Currently (Sept. 2009) lots of security around, which again is interesting to see. In the summer time, the Da Bazar at night is a rather lively place, if you come just as it is getting dark you can see tight rope walkers walking from one side of two the next with the tall minaret in the background.