There are many bazaars in Kashgar, scattering in different streets of both rural and urban areas, but the best-known is the East Gate Grand Bazaar. This is because the East Gate Grand Bazaar is the biggest of its kind in Kashgar and offers richest varieties of commodities and most favorable prices, which attracts lots of customers to the bustling bazaar.

Bazaar means market in Uygur language. Kashgar is a famous cultural and historic city and also a center of commodities distribution on the ancient Silk Road. In ancient times, tradesmen and travelers started off from Xi'an to meet at Kashgar, no matter whether they chose the south or the north routes of the Tianshan Mountain.

With a history of more than 2,000 years, Kashgar Grand Bazaar was well-known as the "biggest market in Asia" in ancient times. The full name of Kashgar Grand Bazaar is Central and West Asia International Trading Market and it is now the largest market for farm produce in Xinjiang. Occupying a total area of 250 mu and offering 21 specialized markets, Kashgar Grand Bazaar has more than 4,000 fixed booths and one food street, offering more than 9,000 kinds of commodities in rich varieties. Annual trading volume at the bazaar hits about 125 million yuan. Every Sunday, the bazaar is very busy with a constant stream of vehicles and people and sometimes, customers at the bazaar can reach more than 100,000. At the bazaar, people can find almost all kinds of commodities, ranging from various local produce, handicrafts, daily-use necessities, melons, fruits and vegetables to means of production and domestic animals. It can be said that the grand bazaar is the best place to reflect the folk custom and culture of the Xinjiang Uygur nationality.

In addition, Kashgar is located at the center of the Asia-Euro Continent and enjoys the nature-endowed geographic advantage of "five ports linking eight countries and one road connecting Asia and Europe". Kashgar boasts a long history in developing international trade with neighboring countries. At the grand bazaar, handicrafts from Pakistan, silk scarves from Turkey, binoculars from Kyrghyz and dried fruits from Saudi Arabia can be purchased at favorable prices and are ideal gifts for friends. In the early 1990s, there was also a special market for the trading of goods from Kyrghyz at the bazaar. Domestic and overseas tourists call the grand bazaar as the "Central Asia Commodities Fair" where their purchasing desires can be fully satisfied.