Urumqi Shopping

As a post along the Silk Road, Xinjiang offers a wide variety of local handicrafts and specialty items for any traveler wanting to bring home a piece of the region.  Urumqi offers a wide selection of carpets, silks, fruits, and traditional Uygur clothing.

Carpet: Generally made of wool and hand-woven locally by the Uygur people, the intricate designs and various colors are distinct to the region. Both practical in their durability and artistic in style, Xinjiang carpets and rugs have become well known throughout China and the world.

Fruits and Melons: As a result of its location in a continental climate and long sun filled days, Urumqi has become well established as the home of fruits and melons because of their bright colors and delicious sweet pulp.  Different types of fruits and melons such as peaches, apricots, watermelons, grapes, pears, apples, pomegranates, cherries, figs, and walnuts are all irrigated here and transported throughout the region and abroad.  You can purchase a variety of fruits and melons at the local supermarket or agricultural markets.

Silk: Atlas silk fabric is most popular with the local Uygur women for its intricate patterns and brilliant colors. It comes in a fine mixture of yellow, peach, orange, sapphire, black, white and indigo colors that result in a well-knit pattern of the color and light that can be found in nature. Because of it is flexibility and softness; atlas silk is also used as interior decoration as well as costuming.