Kashgar Old City in China’s northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is a place like no other. Located in the far western part of the country, almost 4 000 km from Beijing, sadly, visiting Kashgar remains a distant dream for most travellers to China.
While the Kashgar Bazaar and Livestock Market still charm visitors looking for a glimpse of the old Silk Road, the Kashgar Old City is still the heart and soul of this incredible city. If you’re coming to Kashgar, put aside at least one full day to explore the narrow alleys, teahouses, markets, delicious food, sights, sounds and smells of the old town. Of course, more than one day will be much more enjoyable.
Below are a few of our favourite photos of Kashgar Old City to inspire you to visit Xinjiang province.
If you’re looking for a local guide to show you around, then Sadikh is your man. Sadikh, a local Uygur, not only shows you the best sights in Kashgar but also gives you a real insight into the life and culture of Kashgar.
Contact Sadikh on sadikh@163.com.
The Ancient City of Kashgar is classified as an AAAAA site, which means it’s one of China’s best places to visit. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism rates all the scenic areas in China for their uniqueness and facilities for sightseeing, and only the best of the best get the coveted 5A title.
Explore the Alleys of Kashgar Old City Without a Plan
The best way to see the Old City is to simply wander without a plan and go wherever your gut takes you. To see the most interesting and photogenic parts of the Old City, head off into the knot of alleys. In these alleys, you’ll see the real Kashgar, where children still play outside all day, and people go about their daily lives.
If you do get lost (yes, you will), look down at the bricks you’re walking on – hexagonal bricks will lead you out of the Old Town while bricks with four corners mean that you’re in a cul-de-sac.
The Teahouses of Kashgar
Like elsewhere in China, drinking tea is an essential part of the culture in Kashgar. Several lovely, atmospheric teahouses are scattered throughout Kashgar Old City, where travellers and locals alike can spend an hour or two relaxing, drinking tea, and indulging in Xinjiang snacks while being entertained by live Uyghur music.
Unlike the rest of China, where green tea is king, medicinal teas infused with rose, honey and saffron are popular in Kashgar. These teas are a bit more expensive than the regular green or black teas, but they are delicious, and you should give them a try.
The most famous of these teahouses, The Century-Old Teahouse (百年老茶馆), has been run by the same family for over a hundred years. Being the most famous teahouse in Kashgar, it is busy throughout the day and has live music and dancing all day long.
Eating in Kashgar Old City
Another delight of exploring the old city is the food. Whether you’re looking for sit-down restaurants or street food, you will be spoiled for choice.
The wonderful aroma of grilled lamb will follow you everywhere you go in the old town, especially around sunset. The perfectly grilled lamb skewers seasoned with cumin and chilli are one of the highlights to look forward to when visiting Kashgar.
While a good lamb skewer is not ever far away in Kashgar, we just loved 艾尼纯羊烤肉店 (location), near the East Gate entrance to the Old Town.
Also, look out for ovens baking Kao Bao Zi (烤包子). These little lamb pockets are baked dumplings similar to Central Asian samsa, and they make delicious bites on the go. It’s also fascinating to see them getting baked on the inside wall of the tandoori oven.
Kashgar has many nicknames such as Bazaar Town, Food Town, and Place of Longevity. Another name bestowed on the city is Melon Town or Fruit Town, and the melons of Xinjiang are considered the sweetest and juiciest in China.
You’ll find the freshest and most succulent melons, peaches, apricots and other fruit for sale all over Kashgar – and you should definitely try them.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at this Kashgar Bakery
For the best desserts and baked goodies in Kashgar Old City, head over to 扎赫拉蛋糕店 (location). Xinjiang province is famous for its nuts and dried fruit, and this bakery makes the most out of it! If you have nut allergies, we suggest giving it a wide berth.
Kashgar Coffee: A Beautiful Rooftop Cafe
Kashgar’s best coffee shop is also one of its most photogenic locales. Was Instagram not banned in the country, one might think that this rooftop cafe was made just for that reason.
Kashgar Cofee (老城角落) (location) occupies three floors of a beautifully decorated building. The whole space is layered with carpets, textiles and floor cushions.
Head up to the rooftop for a cool breeze and a fantastic view over Kashgar Old City. The menu features hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes and desserts, light meals and hookah pipes.
Shop for a Kashgar Carpet
Carpet connoisseurs know that this region is known as East Turkestan and produces some of the most sought-after carpets to collect. Whether you’re a carpet collector or just looking for a unique souvenir to take home, Kashgar is the best place to buy a rug in China.
Several carpet shops in the old town and the Kashgar Bazaar are waiting and welcoming you with antique and contemporary temptations to pick and choose from. Other than Xinjiang carpets, all carpet dealers also have a wide variety of rugs from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.
Kantuman Bazar
The ironwork market, or Kantuman Bazar, is where you can see blacksmiths hammering away at copper and turning it into beautiful souvenirs like doorknobs, trays, coffee pots or tea sets. You can also request customized work if you have something specific in mind.
The Yellow Id Kah Mosque at the Centre of Kashgar Old City
The yellow Id Kah Mosque is the most prominent landmark in the Old City of Kashgar. It is the largest mosque in China and one of the most beautiful places in Kashgar.
The tranquil garden paths lined with poplars and prayer halls are a relaxed and calm oasis, a world away from the buzz of the old city surrounding it.
Ready to Travel to Kashgar? Pack Your Bags Already!
Kashgar is an incredible place to visit. If you have any questions about visiting the Old City of Kashgar, ask away in the comments below and we will try our best the help.