Situated North of the Karakorum, East of the Pamir range, South of the Tian Shan range and West of the Taklamakan desert, is Kashgar the most Western City in China. Surrounded by such impenetrable natural barriers Kashgar was a major staging post on the ancient silk route. Caravans would stop here to trade goods and share news and ideas.
Part of this ancient trade still lives on in the Sunday market which sees the population of the city grow by as many as 50,000 people. Most of the traders are Uighur (the majority in Sinkiang province). The shoppers are a mix of locals buying everyday items such as natural remedies (such as live white scorpions which are crushed and used on the skin), and Chinese and foreign tourists hunting for souvenirs (Uighur knives and hats are a favourite).
From early morning the roads leading to the market are choked with donkey drawn carts and electric powered scooters (practical all the city dwellers own them) weaving their way through hustling pedestrians. Meaty smells drift across the crowds from fast food stalls serving a range of countless meat preparations.
PWB had great fun in the market trying on traditional hats (fur is big here) and buying amazing spices from apothecaries (including peppercorns that make your mouth tingle and numb). Also available (but not within our purchases) were a range of dried animal parts (including whole dried snakes) and bizarre fungus. Being PWB we couldn’t help but having a bit of a play with our circus toys and distracting shoppers with acrobalance.
Our time in the market was the best so far! Indeed we were all very sad to leave Kashgar so soon; but Kyrgyzstan and shows are on the cards. So with a 5am start we leave for the long and slow road to Osh.
Matt
Osh, Kyrgyzstan 17/5/08
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