I want to recommend a famous bazaar in Urumqi, called Er Dao Qiao (Two Bridges)bazaar. I believe it can share fame with the International bazaar in Kashgar.

Er Dao Qiao is a famour Uigur bazaar full of Uigur folk culture and custom, where you can find both gourmet and amusement. Various of clothes, ornaments and silk carpets on sales in the store are colorful, unadorned and economical. On Saturdays and Sundays, there will be some folk bands made up of older Uigurs playing the authentic Uigur music at the small square. You can get a close touch of the local people's real life without any commercial fake things there. If you don't have much time staying in Urumqi, plan your itinerary properly and had better attend the bazaar on Saturday or Sunday. Good luck!

Client's information:

Mr.Reny Motson 2008-3-25 17:31

There are many buses leaving from the South and North of People’s Park (人民公园 rénmín gōngyuán) in Urumqi to Tianchi Lake. The prices vary widely, so ask around. We paid 40, and the round trip would have been 50. The bus trip takes almost 3 hours. We paid for our entrance ticket (60 yuan) on the bus. Also, on the bus we were offered a ride from the lower parking lot up to the lake. The ride would have been another 15 yuan. We chose to walk instead. Walking up to the lake takes about an hour. It’s very enjoyable, definitely the way to go if you’re not in a rush to get up to the lake. Make sure they don’t try to stick a tour guide on you. You don’t need one. Just follow the trail past the huge water-wheel.

Tour buses back to Urumqi only leave in the afternoon, so if you leave in the morning, you have to take three public buses back to downtown Urumqi.

from the parking lot below the lake to Fukāng (阜康) (10 yuan) - from Fukāng to Urumqi (9 yuan) - from the bus station to downtown, take the 101 bus. This bus is not listed at the bus stop, but cross the street from the bus station and wait at the 701 stop. The 101 will go right past the Bogeda hotel (1 yuan)

Altogether this took just over three hours. It wasn’t too much hassle, but it wasn’t as comfortable as a tour bus. If you feel like leaving Heavenly Lake in the morning, it’s worth it.

Client's information:

Mr.Isaac Benson  2008-3-25 16:53

There are some suggestions for the visitors to Xinjiang. The sunlight especially the ultraviolet radiation is very strong there. It hurts the skin if you walk under the sun for the whole day. You'd better smear suntan oil every 3 or 4 hours. And hat is suggested also. Most men in our group did not take hat there. But finally all of them bought hats. Furthermore, it is very dry in Xinjiang, so cream is necessary everyday. Otherwise, the skin will split easily. Generally, we enjoyed our time there. But be carefully, some taxi drivers and restaurants in Urumqi may cheat and try to overcharge you.

Client's information:

Mr.Thomas Yeo , Singapore , 2007-11-12 15:32