China–Kazakhstan Border Bazaar: Uyghur Daily Life and Kashgar’s Cuisine

Step into a rural bazaar on the outskirts of Kashgar, a city in China’s far southwest where the borders of Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan meet. This crossroads of cultures has shaped a region unlike anywhere else in the country.

The local community here is predominantly Uyghur. Unlike the dialects spoken in other parts of China, the Uyghur language is completely different from Mandarin and belongs to a separate language family.
Once a week, the entire area comes alive for the traditional bazaar — a vibrant gathering where people taste local foods, trade livestock, shop for everyday essentials, and catch up with neighbors.

In today’s video, you’ll experience signature flavors of the region: roasted lamb leg, baked meat buns, sheep lung stew, freshly grilled kebabs, and pomegranate juice pressed right in front of you.

Slow down, take in the atmosphere, and enjoy a close-up look at life in rural Kashgar.

00:00 Highlight
00:46 Intro
01:33 Kavap (Baked Meat Buns)
03:48 Red Willow Lamb Skewers
06:29 Making the Clay Oven
09:41 Steamed Flower Rolls
14:21 Mala Hotpot
14:56 Boiled Beef Head Meat
16:30 Yellow Noodles
17:19 Stewed Lamb Lung
19:12 Grilled Lamb Skewers
20:49 Grilled Fish
22:47 Handmade Yogurt
23:33 Live Poultry Market
25:20 Fruit & Vegetable Market
28:35 Carpenter
32:09 Fried Mushrooms
33:23 Cattle & Sheep Trading Area
34:04 Market Musician