Kashgar (1315m a.s.l.)
With a history of over 2,000 years, Kashgar served as a main artery of communications along the ancient Silk Road, which linked ancient China with the Central Asian countries, such as the present day India,Iran and Europe. Kashgar (also known as Kashi in Chinese) is situated in Southern Xinjiang and Western part of China. It borders with Taklamakan Desert on its East, Karakoram Mountain and Tibet Autonomous Region on its South, Pamir Plateau on its West, Aksu Prefecture on its Northeast, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture is on its Northwest, Hotan Prefecture is on its Southeast. Kashgar borders with four countries on its southwest. Tajikistan on its West, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kirgiztan on its Southwest, with total of 388 km frontier. From East to West is 750 km and north to south is 535 km and total covered an area of 111794.03 square km. Kashgar is surrounded by mountain on its West, South, and North and open terrain facing the Tarim Basin on its East and from southwest to northeast. Major rivers are Yarkand river, Tiznap River, Kizil River, and Gaz River. By the end of 2010, Kashgar had 3.97 million people. Kashgar is the multi-cultural region mainly consist of Uyghur’s who makes the majority of the population. In the region, other than Uyghur, Han Chinese, Tajik, Hui, Kirgiz, Uzbek, Kazak, Russian, Daoer, Mogol, Xibo and Manzu. Total of 13 nationalities lives in Kashgar. Kashgar was the important hub on the ancient Silk Road where the Caravan’s exchange their goods and exhausted animals before they either cross Taklamakan Desert or World Dangerous Karakoram Highway. Today, tourist to Kashgar can experience what the Caravans have done back 2000 years ago with their camels with the help of modern cars. Other than Taklamakan Desert and Karakoram Highway, they can also visit Karakul Lake, Tashkorgan (Stone City), Mt. Muztagh Ata(Father of Ice Mountain) which is 7546 meters, Mt. Kungger which is 7719 meters. Source: www.chinahighlights.com www.kashgarguide.com
With a history of over 2,000 years, Kashgar served as a main artery of communications along the ancient Silk Road, which linked ancient China with the Central Asian countries, such as the present day India,Iran and Europe. Kashgar (also known as Kashi in Chinese) is situated in Southern Xinjiang and Western part of China. It borders with Taklamakan Desert on its East, Karakoram Mountain and Tibet Autonomous Region on its South, Pamir Plateau on its West, Aksu Prefecture on its Northeast, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture is on its Northwest, Hotan Prefecture is on its Southeast. Kashgar borders with four countries on its southwest. Tajikistan on its West, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kirgiztan on its Southwest, with total of 388 km frontier. From East to West is 750 km and north to south is 535 km and total covered an area of 111794.03 square km. Kashgar is surrounded by mountain on its West, South, and North and open terrain facing the Tarim Basin on its East and from southwest to northeast. Major rivers are Yarkand river, Tiznap River, Kizil River, and Gaz River. By the end of 2010, Kashgar had 3.97 million people. Kashgar is the multi-cultural region mainly consist of Uyghur’s who makes the majority of the population. In the region, other than Uyghur, Han Chinese, Tajik, Hui, Kirgiz, Uzbek, Kazak, Russian, Daoer, Mogol, Xibo and Manzu. Total of 13 nationalities lives in Kashgar. Kashgar was the important hub on the ancient Silk Road where the Caravan’s exchange their goods and exhausted animals before they either cross Taklamakan Desert or World Dangerous Karakoram Highway. Today, tourist to Kashgar can experience what the Caravans have done back 2000 years ago with their camels with the help of modern cars. Other than Taklamakan Desert and Karakoram Highway, they can also visit Karakul Lake, Tashkorgan (Stone City), Mt. Muztagh Ata(Father of Ice Mountain) which is 7546 meters, Mt. Kungger which is 7719 meters. Source: www.chinahighlights.com www.kashgarguide.com
Kashgar Old Town
famous for the winding narrow streets of historic Old Town which is located in the heart of the city. Half the city’s population lives here. This Old Town in Kashgar demonstrates the ancient architectural style of mud brick houses built with wooden supporting beams and beautifully carved wooden ceilings. The residents of Old Town are pure Uyghur’s who have been living in this area since the day Kashgar city was founded. Most people in Old Town own their house and it has been passed on to them by their parents, and their parents also inherited the home from their parents and the tradition has continued up to today. Hopefully the tradition will continue for centuries to come. Visiting Old Town of Kashgar answers many questions on visitors’ minds. Therefore, it is highly recommended to pack your backpack and get lost in Old Town for a couple of hours. Who knows, it might be one of the best highlights of your travel to Kashgar. The best time to visit Old Town is late in the afternoon when the kids return from school. This makes it more fun and photographic. If you wish to visit their house, you can kindly ask your tour guide if you are in a group. If not, use sign language. We are pretty sure that you will be able to understand each other without much hassle, as you are probably not the first one to have tried . While you are in Old Town, please show respect for the locals who are living there as these are not normal tourist attractions. Stay with your tour guide if you are in a group or follow the signs carefully. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
famous for the winding narrow streets of historic Old Town which is located in the heart of the city. Half the city’s population lives here. This Old Town in Kashgar demonstrates the ancient architectural style of mud brick houses built with wooden supporting beams and beautifully carved wooden ceilings. The residents of Old Town are pure Uyghur’s who have been living in this area since the day Kashgar city was founded. Most people in Old Town own their house and it has been passed on to them by their parents, and their parents also inherited the home from their parents and the tradition has continued up to today. Hopefully the tradition will continue for centuries to come. Visiting Old Town of Kashgar answers many questions on visitors’ minds. Therefore, it is highly recommended to pack your backpack and get lost in Old Town for a couple of hours. Who knows, it might be one of the best highlights of your travel to Kashgar. The best time to visit Old Town is late in the afternoon when the kids return from school. This makes it more fun and photographic. If you wish to visit their house, you can kindly ask your tour guide if you are in a group. If not, use sign language. We are pretty sure that you will be able to understand each other without much hassle, as you are probably not the first one to have tried . While you are in Old Town, please show respect for the locals who are living there as these are not normal tourist attractions. Stay with your tour guide if you are in a group or follow the signs carefully. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
Kashgar Apak Khoja Mausoleum (Apak Khoja Tomb or Fragrant Concubine Tomb)
is located 5km northeast of Kashgar city. It is a mausoleum complex of the Khoja family of the Aktaglik sect (White Mountainair). The Khoja family ruled southern Xinjiang from the seventeenth century to the mid-eighteenth century. Today, it is a key cultural and historical unit protected by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is said that a total of seventy-two persons from five generations of the Khoja family were buried in the mausoleum. It was built around 1640 AD by Yusuf Khoja for himself as a tomb of Muhammad Yusuf who was the father of Apak Khoja. After the Apak Khoja was buried in 1693, the mausoleum was named after him since he was more famous than his father. The mausoleum is also known as Fragrant Concubine Tomb. It is said that Iparhan (Xiangfei in Chinese), the granddaughter of Apak Khoja was given to Emperor Qianlong as a concubine due to the rich, delicate fragrance of her body. After she died, her body was escorted by 124 people three and half years later back to Kashgar and buried in this mausoleum. Therefore, the mausoleum also has the name of Fragrant Concubine Tomb. According to some historical records, the actual tomb of Iparhan is in the East Qing Tombs in Beijing. The Apak Khoja tomb is the most magnificent Islamic building in Xinjiang. It is a tranquil place and a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic architecture. The dome of the main chamber is 17 meters in diameter, is 26 meters high and 39 meters long at the base. The wall and dome are covered with green glazed tiles. The tiles are decorated with colourful patterns. The dome of individual tombs inside the mausoleum are covered with silk cloths. The whole mausoleum complex consists of high and low mosques, the main gate, great mosque, small green mosque, Madrasa/Madrasah (the Doctrine Teaching Hall),pond, orchard, and chamber tombs hall. Some have been built in recent years. The dome of the main tomb chamber collapsed during a big earthquake and was rebuilt in 1978. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
is located 5km northeast of Kashgar city. It is a mausoleum complex of the Khoja family of the Aktaglik sect (White Mountainair). The Khoja family ruled southern Xinjiang from the seventeenth century to the mid-eighteenth century. Today, it is a key cultural and historical unit protected by the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is said that a total of seventy-two persons from five generations of the Khoja family were buried in the mausoleum. It was built around 1640 AD by Yusuf Khoja for himself as a tomb of Muhammad Yusuf who was the father of Apak Khoja. After the Apak Khoja was buried in 1693, the mausoleum was named after him since he was more famous than his father. The mausoleum is also known as Fragrant Concubine Tomb. It is said that Iparhan (Xiangfei in Chinese), the granddaughter of Apak Khoja was given to Emperor Qianlong as a concubine due to the rich, delicate fragrance of her body. After she died, her body was escorted by 124 people three and half years later back to Kashgar and buried in this mausoleum. Therefore, the mausoleum also has the name of Fragrant Concubine Tomb. According to some historical records, the actual tomb of Iparhan is in the East Qing Tombs in Beijing. The Apak Khoja tomb is the most magnificent Islamic building in Xinjiang. It is a tranquil place and a beautiful example of Uyghur Islamic architecture. The dome of the main chamber is 17 meters in diameter, is 26 meters high and 39 meters long at the base. The wall and dome are covered with green glazed tiles. The tiles are decorated with colourful patterns. The dome of individual tombs inside the mausoleum are covered with silk cloths. The whole mausoleum complex consists of high and low mosques, the main gate, great mosque, small green mosque, Madrasa/Madrasah (the Doctrine Teaching Hall),pond, orchard, and chamber tombs hall. Some have been built in recent years. The dome of the main tomb chamber collapsed during a big earthquake and was rebuilt in 1978. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
Kashgar Sunday Market (Kashgar Sunday Bazaar)
is the biggest market in Central Asia. It is also a pivotal trading point along the ancient Silk Road where goods have been traded for more than two thousand years. The Sunday Market is an active market every day, but Sunday is the special day, because, on Sunday, people from all corners of Kashgar and surrounding countries come in to the market to sell or buy. Since this is the biggest market in the area and in Central Asia, you can find almost anything which you can think of. There is a saying that goes “you can buy anything from the Sunday Market in Kashgar except chicken milk and cow’s egg”. The Sunday market is separated into more than 20 sections ranging from headscarf’s, Pakistani goods, textiles, dried fruits, men and women’s shoes, species and medicines, traditional Kashgar and Hotan carpets, handicrafts, sweets, stationary, Uyghur knives, Uyghur hats, bags, musical instruments, clothes, building materials, kitchen utensils and so on….Be aware that some of the sections of the Market are not part of the main market and they are closed during the week days. These include the livestock market and others. The current location of the livestock market has been moved to 6 km southeast of Kashgar city. The livestock market is also divided into areas specializing in particular animals including sheep, cattle, donkeys, goats and horses. More camels and yak are traded during the autumn season. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
is the biggest market in Central Asia. It is also a pivotal trading point along the ancient Silk Road where goods have been traded for more than two thousand years. The Sunday Market is an active market every day, but Sunday is the special day, because, on Sunday, people from all corners of Kashgar and surrounding countries come in to the market to sell or buy. Since this is the biggest market in the area and in Central Asia, you can find almost anything which you can think of. There is a saying that goes “you can buy anything from the Sunday Market in Kashgar except chicken milk and cow’s egg”. The Sunday market is separated into more than 20 sections ranging from headscarf’s, Pakistani goods, textiles, dried fruits, men and women’s shoes, species and medicines, traditional Kashgar and Hotan carpets, handicrafts, sweets, stationary, Uyghur knives, Uyghur hats, bags, musical instruments, clothes, building materials, kitchen utensils and so on….Be aware that some of the sections of the Market are not part of the main market and they are closed during the week days. These include the livestock market and others. The current location of the livestock market has been moved to 6 km southeast of Kashgar city. The livestock market is also divided into areas specializing in particular animals including sheep, cattle, donkeys, goats and horses. More camels and yak are traded during the autumn season. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
Id Kah Mosque
also spelled as “Eid Kah” or ” Aitiga’er in Chinese” means in Uyghur language, “place for festival”. It is the biggest mosque in the region and in China. It is also the center of Islamic activities for people in Kashgar and surrounding cities. The original mosque was built in 1442 by Saqsiz Mirza who was the local ruler of the area at that time. When it was first built, it was a small mosque but through continuous renovation and extensions, it has become its present shape and size. Today, it is open five times for daily prayers, Friday prayers and two big festival prayers. It can hold up to 20,000 people at a single service during the two big festivals, like the Qurban and Ramadan festivals. At that time, the main hall of the mosque, the mosque yard, the square in front of the mosque, two side roads, and the main road after the square and all the way up the the market on the opposite side of the square will be filled with people. The mosque is 140 meters long from south to north, 120 meters from wide east to west and covers a total area of 16,800 square meters. It consists of a praying hall, doctrine teaching hall, gate tower, ablution room, pond and other general purpose halls. During the big Ramadan and Qurban festivals, traditional Uyghur Muqam music is played on top of the minarets and the square in front of the mosque is filled with Sama dancers. Id Kah mosque is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture and has been a prominent focal point in the center of Kashgar for more than 500 years. It is considered to be the centre of Kashgar for Uyghur people. Source: www.kashgarguide.com
also spelled as “Eid Kah” or ” Aitiga’er in Chinese” means in Uyghur language, “place for festival”. It is the biggest mosque in the region and in China. It is also the center of Islamic activities for people in Kashgar and surrounding cities. The original mosque was built in 1442 by Saqsiz Mirza who was the local ruler of the area at that time. When it was first built, it was a small mosque but through continuous renovation and extensions, it has become its present shape and size. Today, it is open five times for daily prayers, Friday prayers and two big festival prayers. It can hold up to 20,000 people at a single service during the two big festivals, like the Qurban and Ramadan festivals. At that time, the main hall of the mosque, the mosque yard, the square in front of the mosque, two side roads, and the main road after the square and all the way up the the market on the opposite side of the square will be filled with people. The mosque is 140 meters long from south to north, 120 meters from wide east to west and covers a total area of 16,800 square meters. It consists of a praying hall, doctrine teaching hall, gate tower, ablution room, pond and other general purpose halls. During the big Ramadan and Qurban festivals, traditional Uyghur Muqam music is played on top of the minarets and the square in front of the mosque is filled with Sama dancers. Id Kah mosque is a magnificent example of Islamic architecture and has been a prominent focal point in the center of Kashgar for more than 500 years. It is considered to be the centre of Kashgar for Uyghur people. Source: www.kashgarguide.com