Ancient City of Kashgar

Kashgar Old City, located in Xinjiang, boasts a history of several hundred years and is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kashgar and even Xinjiang. Most of the buildings within the old city are full of distinctive charm, with crisscrossing streets and a unified style, making it very suitable for photography. Visitors wandering through it feel as if they have stepped into an exotic land in Central Asia, a truly magnificent experience. Additionally, it is an important filming location for the movie "The Kite Runner," where visitors can find familiar scenes from the film.

The scenic area is roughly centered around the Id Kah Mosque, forming an irregularly shaped urban area, approximately 2 kilometers in both length and width. The old city has numerous streets and alleys where visitors can stroll freely, sightsee, and take photos, which takes about half a day. The recommended route is to first visit the Id Kah Mosque, then walk east along Chasa Road, continuing until reaching the Gaotai Ancient Dwellings and Kashgar East Bazaar on the east side to conclude the tour. Many tourists visiting Kashgar also choose to stay in the old city for several days to slowly savor its historical charm.

Visiting the old city means appreciating its distinctive architecture and streets. Most of the current old city buildings have been renovated, making the houses relatively new and well-preserved, but the renovations have also retained rich local characteristics. Here, you can see colored adobe walls and brick walls, with unique decorations such as round arches and colorful doors and windows, which are very beautiful and can be photographed along the way. Furthermore, if you want to experience more original and characteristic architecture, you can also visit the Gaotai Ancient Dwellings by the river on the east side of the old city.

In addition to appreciating the architecture, many unique shops on the streets of the old city are also a highlight for many tourists. Almost every street in the old city has its own theme, named "Bazaar" (meaning market in Uyghur). Among them are Kantuman Bazaar (Blacksmith Street), Duopa Bazaar (Flower Hat Street), Flowerpot Bazaar, Handicraft Bazaar, Pottery Bazaar, etc., each with its own characteristics, which can be admired along the way. There are also uniquely charming teahouses on the streets, and stalls selling specialty snacks such as grapes, naan, and sheep's milk ice cream, making it particularly pleasant to walk around and taste as you go.

Additionally, there are some residential homes in the urban area that can be visited. Generally, these homes have signs at their entrances. Upon entering, you can see the interior of typical local residences, though usually, you need to purchase some household goods. On the streets of the old city, you can also see elderly people leisurely sunbathing and children playing, creating a strong sense of daily life.

When visiting the old city, there are also several important attractions. For example, the Id Kah Mosque in the old city is one of the largest mosques in the country. The architecture inside the mosque is magnificent, and the scene of five daily prayers is even grander, allowing visitors to witness a strong religious atmosphere. The Gaotai Ancient Dwellings on the east side of the old city are a preserved ancient urban area, with unique features such as adobe houses and cross-street buildings. The Kashgar East Bazaar (Kashgar Central and West Asia International Trade Market) across the river on the east side is a famous shopping center in Kashgar, where a wide variety of Xinjiang specialties and handicrafts are gathered, including dried fruits, silk products, essential oils, and Yingjisha knives.

[Recommended Check-in Spots]

✅ Sky Garden, Old City Panoramic Guide Map, That Slow Homestay (Kashgar Old City Scenic Area Store), Flowerpot Bazaar, Jiulongquan Cultural Tourism Street, Blue Arch, Guli's Home Homestay (Kashgar Old City Scenic Area Store), Xinjiang Centennial Handmade Ice Cream, Senlu Trip Moments, Tuna Coffee Bar, Id Kah Mosque, Sahaya Community Oil Bazaar Mosque, Old City Aishan Yushan Handmade Wood Art Exhibition, Oil Painting Street, Kashgar Old City Rainbow Alley, Cloth Bag Alley, Grandpa's Grandpa's Dad's Naan.