In Kashgar, the best area to shop is around the streets near Id Kah Square. Good quality carpets can be found in the shops on the streets heading north from the square. A complete array of carpets, many rough looking and with simple designs reflect the less well-known culture of the nomads around this area. Prices here are about one third of those in Turkey.
Xinjiang hats are popular souvenirs and also an integral part of the daily life of the people here. The streets east of the square have a good selection of all colors and patterns. Prayer hats, skull hats and furry winter hats favored by old Uigur men can be found here.
Heading south from here is the main bazaar, where blacksmiths and carpenters can be seen hard at work in front of their workshops and stalls. Knives with handles inlaid with jewels and ivory, chests decorated with tin, and numerous musical instruments can all be purchased here.
North of the square is a cloth market, close to which are some of the most weird looking restaurants in Kashgar. To the south of the square is a night market.
There is also a Sunday market on the eastern edge of the city, with an exotic middle eastern atmosphere. Hundreds of animal- driven carts and their owners pour into the large concrete structure that houses many stalls. Travelers are strongly advised to be wary of pickpockets around here.
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| Xinjiang Knives |
Originally made in the Kashgar area, Kashgar is still famous for exotic Xinjiang knives that can be purchased in most bazaars and markets. These knives are more dagger than knife and are made according to extremely creative designs with various themes and materials. Some knives are crafted with jewels and ivory and are extremely expensive, while others are made with carved wooden handles. Styles and themes include various birds and animals, phoenixes, and dragons.
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Hats |
The muslim Uigur peoiples are famous in China for their caps and hats (known in Chinese as Huamao) known in Uigur as "duoba". The caps are made with great attention to design and detail. Their special characteristics include intricate embroidery, silver edging and detailing, all done by hand. They are not only practical, but also good presents. These Uigur hats can be found throughout Xinjiang especially in the markets.
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| Clay Pottery |
Kashgar has a long history of making clay pottery and earthenware. About 1800 to 2000 years ago, colors were added to the pottery and the rest is history. Kashgar pottery is made as bowls, plates, pots, jars and more. Nevertheless, even among such ordinary items as wash basins, you will find a great variety of designs, sizes and shapes. Mainstream or typical styles of Kashgar pottery are simple and ancient and you may find them very charming. Taking them home however might present problems, so perhaps the smallest items are more practical.
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| Kashgar Carpets |
| Carpetmaking is one of Kashgar's most traditional and famous crafts. In fact, Xinjiang carpets and rugs have become famous throughout China and the world because of Xinjiang craftsmen's masterful workmanship and timeless style.
Kashgar carpets and rugs come in many varieties with different degrees of intricacy in their design. They tend to be rather colorful with complicated patterns. Xinjiang rugs are both practical and artistic creations. While very durable, they also are quite soft and comfortable. They are also available in a range of sizes from single person seats to room size carpets.
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| Jewelry |
Uigur women in Kashgar are fond of wearing all kinds of jewelry including magnificent rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and hairpins, many of which are inlaid with glimmering precious stones, making them a hot item for sale to tourists and locals.
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| Wool-dyed Cloth |
Wood-dyed cloth is a traditional handicraft of the Uigur people, the wood-dyed cloth is mainly used for tapestries, tablecloths, cushions and curtains.¡¡It is both beautiful and practical at very reasonable prices. This kind of cloth is dyed with a carved wooden printing plate, upon coloring pigments are applied. Colors include red, pink, green, yellow, yellow, and so on. The design themes typically involve flowers, fruits, plants, and everyday household items.
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| Silk |
| This type of silk is famous throughout Xinjiang and China for its contrasting bright colors. Commonly used colors include green, blue, yellow, purple, gold, black and white. The patterns, largely take abstract forms. While traditionally silk is used in clothing, it is not just for clothing, as many tourists buy a few pieces to decorate their homes.
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Musical Instruments |
There are numerous type of Uigur instrument. The most popular and common being:
"Danbur": The uniquely resonant instrument is both used singly or to provide accompaniment for folk dancing together with Rewapu and hand drums at celebratory occasions.
"Dutar": This is the only hand-strum stringed instrument commonly used by the Uigur people. It is both played alone or with hand drums as accompaniment for dancing.
"Rewapu" This stringed instrument is one of the favorite instruments of Uigur, Tagik and Uzbik ethnic groups. The Rewapu is played with a pick much like a guitar, except the pick is chip of cow horn or bamboo chip.
"Dapu": This is the typical hand drum used by the Uigur people for both solo performances, but also for accompanying other instruments. It generally provides rythym for dancing.
"Nagela": This large drum, played with wooden drumsticks, is mainly used during great festivals and wedding ceremonies and is typically accompanied by the suona (a Chinese wind instrument).
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