'''Kashgar''' (Uyghur: ?????? Chinese: _\_Y) or Kashi is in the extreme west of China and the Southwest extreme of Xinjiang. It is also at a junction between two branches of the old Silk Road.

Understand

Kashi has been an important trading center since the days of the Silk Road, and still is today. The road from Eastern and Central China branches out to both the north and south of the Taklamakan Desert, and Kashgar is where the two branches meet again in the western part of the desert.

The local population is a mixture of Uyghurs, Han Chinese, Kyrgyz, Tajiks and Uzbeks, boasting a colorful ethnic variety.

The city is said to have the largest bazaar in Asia.

The Chinese government has recently begun implementing its plan to "make the city earthquake proof" by tearing down the ancient old city and replacing it with tacky Chinese modernity. However, most recognize this as a thinly veiled attack on the Uyghurs, part of a larger campaign to exert control and remove beauty from the world.

Get in

By Plane

Kashgar Airport (IATA: KHG) is located 18 km north of the town center. Flights are available to/from Urumqi and Islamabad. Flights are now available to Hong Kong as well. A taxi to the city should cost about 22RMB by meter. Shuttle buses are available for 10RMB per person.

By Train

_\_Y__?__ ''(K?shi Hu?ch? Zhan)'' is the main train station in the city. It is located on _l__?_H ''(Renmin D?ng Lu)''. Although it is east of the town center, the distance is too far for walking. Bus 28 connects the city including _l____? ''(Renmin Guangch?ng)'', or the main square, to the train station. From the train station, walk out and turn right and you'll probably see a bus waiting there already. Fare is RMB1 cash and is paid onboard. If you do not know where you are going, get on bus 28, get off at Renmin Guangchang and figure things out from there; the downtown is walkable and _V??_X ''(X?nhua Sh?dian)'', or the national bookstore, is right next to the main square where you will be able to purchase the best maps of Kashgar at about 5-8 RMB each (however, these maps are only in Chinese).

From the train station, Qinibagh and Seman hotels can be reached a couple of stops after Renmin Guangchang on bus 28 and then walking uphill for about 5 minutes; the people on the bus can probably help you and most people on the street know where these places are.

If you take a taxi from the train station, do NOT succumb to drivers who pounce on your back asking you where you are going. They should not be asking you and by succumbing to them you are supporting this irritating practice. Instead, go for taxi drivers on the street or those that don't bother you in your face, and be blunt to the others; those that bother you do not deserve business and they should see this in return -- they will learn in due time that patience makes business and will make Kashi a better city to visit in the long run.

Kashi is at the end of the Urumqi-Kashi line, so all trains departing Kashi go toward Urumqi. Destinations of interest include:

  • '''Korla''' - takes about 13-16 hours
  • '''Kuqa''' - takes about 9-11 hours
  • '''Urumqi''' - takes 24 or 30 hours (fast train departs Urumqi 11:21, departs Kashgar 13:00ish; hard sleeper RMB340)
  • '''Turpan''' - about 22 hours by the fast train
  • By Bus

    International Bus Station - 5 Jicheng Lu

  • '''Korla'''- takes about 16 hours
  • '''Kuqa'''- takes about 11 hours
  • '''Urumqi'''- takes about 24 hours
  • '''Sost, Pakistan'''- overnight stay at Tashkurgan required at own expense
  • '''Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan'''- takes about 16 hours including overnight stay (must have PSB permit and valid visa for Kyrgyzstan)
  • Kashgar Bus Station - Tiannan Lu

  • '''Hotan'''- takes about 10 hours
  • '''Tashkurgan'''- takes about 8 hours
  • '''Yecheng'''- takes about 4 hours
  • By Car

    The Karakoram Highway runs from Pakistan into China. Kashi is the nearest major town on the Chinese end.

    Get around

    Most of Kashi including the bus station, bazaar, main square, downtown (with the notable exception of the 'animal' market) can be reached on foot within 15-20 minutes of each other if you aren't carrying huge amounts of baggage. The train station is too far to walk but is reachable with public bus 28 which, among other places, stops at _l____? ''(Renmin Guangch?ng)'', the main square. The international bus station is near the city and walkable.

    The old town and narrow alleyways are pretty much only explorable on foot.

    Cross streets carefully in Kashi as no pedestrian crossings are available.

    Cycling is an option but the traffic is somewhat dangerous, so only do this if you are experienced with this kind of traffic environment. Bicycles can be rented at major hotels such as Qinibagh for typically less than 30 RMB/day.

    See

    '''Sunday Bazaar'''

  • The Mal Bazaar is the livestock market, where locals from all the surrounding villages come to town on that day (Sunday) to buy and sell animals. It is held on an open and fenced ground. It's popular with tourists, but the market is so big it still feels like a working bazaar. Take bus 16 from the People's Square to get there (1RMB).
  • The Yengi Bazaar is the handicrafts, cloths, carpets and anything-else-you-can-expect market. This market is open daily and is less crowded on weekdays. Bargain hard!
  • '''Old Town'''

  • The warren-like old town is worth visiting for its winding streets, friendly if occasionally guarded residents and delightfully improvised architecture. A RMB30 toll is levied at the main entrances to the residential district, but this can be evaded by finding a back entrance into the area through the multitudinous back alleys that exit onto the main roads.
  • Other sights

  • '''Id Kah Mosque''' - first built in 1442, it is distinctive for its yellow walls and Central Asian architecture. Women are generally not allowed inside, but modestly dressed foreigners should have no problem. You should remove your shoes before entering the carpeted area. Open 8:50-10pm daily (though closed during services). Entrance fee_F 20RMB.
  • '''Tomb of Apak Hoja''' - A massive, elegant building created in 1640 in typical Islamic style. Also a pilgrimage site. It is 2 miles from the city center, and there are bus and taxi connections to the People's Square. The mausoleum and the mosque are both open 8:00am-5:30pm daily, (prayer day is friday), Entrance fee: 30RMB.
  • '''Tomb of Yusup Khass Hajip''' - The tomb of Kashgar's much loved philosopher and poet who wrote the 13,290-line poem "The Wisdom of Happiness and Pleasure" in the Uighur language. Entrance fee: 30RMB.
  • '''Tomb of Mahmud Kashgari''' - About an hour's drive from Kashgar, this attraction in Upal is the tomb of an Uyghur scribe, famous for compiling a dictionary of the Turkic languages in the 11th century. This picturesque complex is situated on a hillside and includes a mosque and a sacred spring. Entrance fee: 30RMB. Upal also boasts a lively bazaar too.
  • Do

    Buy

    The price of everything is negotiable in Kashgar, adding to excitement of shopping. Be polite in bargaining, but be mindful that merchants will overcharge you as a foreigner especially if you don't speak Uyghur or Chinese; so bargain hard. Price differences between locals and foreigners can easily amount to several hundred yuan so be careful. Local specialties include ''kilims'' (carpets), and colorful Central Asian hats _idoppa, kalpak).

    Eat

    There are plenty of good local restaurants. For a variety of snacks and dishes, try the food stalls opposite the Id Kah mosque. The stalls start operating during the evening. The Sunday market also has good things to eat. It may be wise to avoid anything with ice as the ice in Kashi is usually carried in large blocks and frequently placed on the ground so they may not be clean. During the summer months there are huge heaps of melons and watermelons - cheap, tasty and refreshing. The going price for a _____Z ''(H?migu?)'' costs around 1 RMB per kilogram, so in total, it costs about 2-5 RMB per melon depending on the size. Buying, washing, and cutting it yourself is probably the most hygenic way to eat these fabulous tasty fruits. If you're staying at a hotel, you can also easily buy a simple cutting knife at any of these markets for about 1-3 RMB as well so you should be all set.

    Drink

    NB: There are not as many places serving alcohol in Kashgar as in other areas of China.

  • '''John's cafe''' located in the Qiniwak Hotel (ancient british consulate) can offer backpacker hospitality at 1.7 times the price of other locations, and is very popular among single travellers. Managed by Jack who speak fluently english.
  • Sleep

    budget

    '''Maitian International Youth Hostel'''. address: Donghu Old Community on east Renmin road 300m from the 11th middle school. Dorm 40 - 100

    '''Qiniwak Hotel ( Qiniwake binguan )''' occupies the building that used to be the British Consulate and offers dorm style bedrooms in the adjacente building (RMB 50/ night/ person - room of three beds) Add: Seman Road (cross road with Nuoerbeixi) Phone: 0086 998 2981158

    Midrange

  • Kashgar Guest House. awaguzi Rd., Kashgar. 0998)2612360. 0998)2614679.

  • '''Chini Bagh Hotel''' 337 rooms, Telephone: (0998) 282 2103 Fax: (0998) 284 2299, Seman Lu 337. Prices for a double start at RMB70 in the older building.
  • '''Seman Binguan''' In an old Russian consulate building, the rooms are oddly-shaped: with simple bathrooms, common areas have high ceilings and military-themed oil paintings, 300 rooms, Telephone: (0998) 258 2150 Fax: (0998) 258 2129, Seman Lu 337. Prices for a double start at RMB100.
  • splurge

    Get out

  • '''Karakul Lake''' - Scenic alpine lake, located on the road to Tashkorgan and Pakistan.
  • Kashgar is also near the border with Kyrgyzstan, which can be accessed via the Torugart Pass.