Kashgar — the great heart of southern Xinjiang and a legendary halt on the ancient Silk Road. For more than two thousand years, merchants, monks, and explorers have drifted through this oasis, piling up layer upon layer of culture and memory.
Kashgar Old City
The Old City splits into east and west, laced together by maze-like lanes crowded with painted carved windows, traditional Uyghur homes, and bazaars that hum with trade. Step into the narrow alleys and the centuries fall away. At every turn something new surfaces — a child at play, a grandmother slapping naan onto the oven wall, a craftsman coaxing copper into shape.
The streets sort themselves by craft — one for pottery, another for instruments, another for hats. The architecture is unmistakably Uyghur: carved wooden doors, lattice windows, and rooftop terraces open to the sky.
Gaotai Residential Houses
This is the largest surviving raw-earth complex in China. Set on a high loess terrace, the homes are built wholly of mud and timber, stacked and joined by cramped passages and steep flights of stairs. Traditional pottery and wood-fired craft workshops still run here, keeping alive skills handed down through generations.
Kashgar Museum
The museum lays out thousands of years, from prehistory through the Islamic era. Its cases hold Silk Road treasures, ancient manuscripts, and exhibits on the many cultures that have claimed this ground as home.
7-Day Itinerary
Day 1-3: Kashgar Old City
Lose yourself in the Old City's maze of lanes. Visit Id Kah Mosque, the largest in China. Wander the Grand Bazaar, where carpets and spices spill from every stall. Then catch the traditional dancing that breaks out in the square.
DIY Experiences: — Coffee at Old City Corner cafe, a stylish spot blending Uyghur and modern moods — Uyghur-style photo shoots in traditional dress — Bake your own naan in a clay oven — Try the potter's wheel at a local workshop — Learn wood-burning art from local artisans — Stamp-printing at a craft studio
Day 4: Gaotai Residential and Surroundings
Explore the Gaotai raw-earth houses. Visit the traditional pottery workshops and watch the artisans work. The rooftop views over the Old City turn spectacular as the sun drops.
Day 5-6: Karakoram Highway Self-Drive
Drive the Karakoram Highway toward Tashkurgan, pausing at White Sand Lake, Karakul Lake, and Muztagh Glacier Park. Spend the night in Tashkurgan.
Day 7: Return to Kashgar
Drive back to Kashgar for a last round of bazaar shopping and a farewell dinner.
Travel Tips
Transportation: In the city, use Didi (China's ride-hailing app). For the Karakoram Highway, rent a car or join a tour.
Border Permit: Required to travel beyond Tashkurgan on the Karakoram Highway. Apply at the Kashgar Public Security Bureau.
Accommodation: Bed down in a traditional Uyghur homestay inside the Old City for the real thing. Many have been refitted with modern comforts while keeping their old bones and carved doors.
Best Time to Visit: May through October. Summers scorch, but the Old City's lanes stay shaded. Skip winter, when many shops shutter.
