The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous landmarks in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has attracted numerous visitors to explore the ethnic culture and exotic beauty during the country's five-day May Day holiday.
The national public holiday runs from May 1 to 5, while some tourists are even taking extra days off from work to turn the five-day holiday into over week-long break to visit some far-flung domestic locations. Xinjiang has become one of the most popular destinations with its Grand Bazaar a tourist hotspot.
Covering a total area of 39,888 square meters (equal to some six football pitches), it is the largest bazaar in the world by scale, featuring more than 3,300 stores with over 6,000 employers.
Dubbed "Window of Xinjiang," the bazaar, referring to a market or fair, offers a wide variety of products for both visitors and locals, such as diverse foods, costumes, instruments, decorations and commodities, and also showcases unique music and dance performances.
Grand Bazaar offers a wide variety of products for both visitors and locals, such as food, costumes, instruments, decorations and commodities. /CFP
Tourists from around the country can not only experience local folk customs but also enjoy the culture and art from Central Asian countries.
A key sightseeing and shopping destination in Xinjiang, it reopened most of its sections on March 10, 2020, after being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Currently, COVID-19 precautions are still in place. Masks are mandatory and visitors are required to have their body temperature checked.
(Video by Hong Yaobin. Cover: View of the Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar, one of the most famous landmarks in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. /CFP)