The core of this huge bazaar, reputedly the largest in Central Asia, is faced by an unusually elegant facade (1964) with white tracery set off by claret paintwork and an explosion of colour within the arched entrance portal. Two gilded Soviet era statues hold forth produce. If not the largest, it's certainly one of the best-stocked markets in Central Asia. It's especially busy on Thursday (panjshanbe in Tajik) when people and produce flood into the main hall.
A pair of gilded statues, one male and one female, welcome merchants and buyers into the hall around which a whole street market has evolved under colourful awnings. Outside the western entrance, below these statues, a stand sells handmade and machine versions of the ubiquitous black Tajiki hat (10–80TJS).