Atlas of China
Kashgar Old City 喀什古城Kāshí Gǔchéng
A Silk Road crossroads of mud-brick lanes, bazaars and the Id Kah Mosque
- Best time
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Time needed
- 2 days
- Days to budget
- 2 days
- Stay in
- Kashgar
- Region
- Xinjiang
- Type
- Culture
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area, National heritage site
Why go to Kashgar Old City
For some two thousand years Kashgar has been a great oasis at China's far western end of the Silk Road, where routes from Central Asia, India and China converged. Wander the restored Old City's lanes of carpenters, coppersmiths and naan bakers, visit the yellow-fronted Id Kah Mosque, and spend a Sunday at the bustling livestock market on the edge of town.
The story
The 11th-century scholar Mahmud al-Kashgari, whose name means 'of Kashgar', compiled the first comprehensive dictionary of the Turkic languages; his tomb stands in the village of Opal, south-west of town. Centuries earlier, the pilgrim monk Xuanzang passed through on his way home from India.
What to see at Kashgar Old City
- Id Kah Square and Mosque 艾提尕尔广场与清真寺: The mosque's yellow-brick gate stands on the old city's central square; visitors are admitted only in set daytime windows rather than all day, so check locally, dress modestly and expect entry to be limited around prayer times and holidays.
- Old City lanes 古城老街: Mud-brick and timber houses, tandoor ovens and artisans' shops line the alleys, best on foot with no fixed route.
- Afaq Khoja Mausoleum 阿帕克霍加麦扎: A tiled shrine complex about 5 km north-east of the centre, with a 17 m dome and four corner minarets; a popular legend links it to a 'fragrant concubine' of the Qing court.
How to visit Kashgar Old City
Begin at Id Kah Square, then walk the lanes leading off it, stopping at a teahouse; half a day is enough for the square and a loop of alleys. Add a taxi trip to Afaq Khoja Mausoleum and, on a Sunday, the livestock market on the edge of town, going early for the market.
How to get to Kashgar Old City
The Old City lies in the centre of Kashgar around the Id Kah Mosque, walkable from most hotels; Kashgar is about 1.5–2 hours by air from Ürümqi.
Where to stay
Stay in or near the Old City around Id Kah Square so lanes, teahouses and early-morning bakeries are on your doorstep; the new town has more choice but is a taxi ride away.
What to eat
- Samsa 烤包子: Lamb-filled pastries baked on the walls of a clay oven, found at ovens around the old city gates.
- Naan 馕: Round flatbreads baked fresh in the old city's bakeries and eaten with every meal.
Tips for visiting Kashgar Old City
- Dress modestly, especially near mosques, and ask before photographing people.
- Carry your passport at all times; ID checks are frequent.
- Eat your way through polo (pilaf), samsa baked in clay ovens and fresh naan.
Nearby
Also within 30 km: Afaq Khoja Mausoleum 阿巴和加麻扎 (under 10 km), Zhang Qian Silk Road Cultural Park 张骞丝路文化园 (10 km), Aibifu Aijiemu Mazar, Upper Artux 艾比甫·艾洁木麻扎 (20 km), Mor Buddhist Temple Ruins 莫尔寺遗址 (30 km), Azihan Fig Village 阿孜汗无花果风情小镇 (30 km).
Trips with Kashgar Old City
- Xinjiang: Ürümqi, Turpan, Kashgar, Karakul Lake and Kanas 11 days · Ürümqi, Turpan, Kashgar and Burqin
On the map
Open Kashgar Old City on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.
Open Kashgar Old City on the map