Kashgar is at the end of China. The city sits in the extreme west of Xinjiang, where the Silk Road split into northern and southern routes before crossing the Pamir Mountains into Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is 80km to the northwest; Pakistan is 330km to the south (across some of the most dramatic mountain passes on earth). Everything about Kashgar points west — the food, the architecture, the language, the music, and the culture are Central Asian and Uyghur, not Chinese.
For international travelers, Kashgar is often the most disorienting and compelling place in China — a city that feels geographically and culturally closer to Samarkand than to Beijing, yet is administered as part of China.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
Visiting Xinjiang: Practical Context
Before the specifics, it’s worth being direct: Xinjiang has been a region of significant political sensitivity since around 2017. There is a substantial security apparatus in the region, and travelers have reported varying experiences with police checkpoints, ID checks, and restrictions on movement. Requirements change; experiences vary.
What this means practically:
- Your passport will be checked frequently at checkpoints, hotel registration, and attraction entrances — have it available at all times
- Register at hotels promptly (they will handle this)
- Photography restrictions may apply in some areas — ask if uncertain
- The overall experience for most international tourists in Kashgar is manageable, but requires patience and awareness
- Check travel advisories from your home country before visiting
With those considerations noted: Kashgar is one of the most extraordinary cities in China, and many visitors find it entirely worth the logistical complexity.
Id Kah Mosque (艾提尕尔清真寺)
The Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China, with a capacity of 20,000 worshippers during major festivals. Built in 1442 and substantially expanded in 1538, it sits in the center of Kashgar’s old city on Id Kah Square.
The façade is yellow ochre with green tile trim — distinctive and photogenic. The mosque functions actively as a place of worship; Friday noon prayers see large numbers of worshippers, and the city empties of male Uyghurs at that time.
Entry fee: ¥15 per person (non-Muslims can visit outside prayer times; remove shoes and dress appropriately)
Opening hours: 9:00am–6:00pm general visit; closed to non-Muslims during prayer times
The mosque interior is large and relatively simple — the emphasis is on the courtyard and prayer space rather than decoration. The exterior and the square in front of it are the visual highlights.
The Old City (喀什古城)
Kashgar’s old city was the subject of significant controversy from the late 2000s onwards, when large sections of traditional mud-brick housing were demolished and replaced with “reconstructed” versions — similar in appearance but built from concrete with brick facing. Opinions on this policy differ sharply.
What remains is a substantial area of narrow lanes, traditional courtyard houses, craftsmen’s workshops, and bazaar alleys. Whether it constitutes “authentic” traditional architecture depends on your definition, but the urban form — organic, dense, maze-like — and the human activity within it are genuine.
Walking the old city: No ticket required for the main residential areas. A good route: enter from the main square near Id Kah Mosque and walk northeast through the narrow lanes, following the sound of copper-beating workshops (the coppersmiths’ quarter is one of the most active).
Craftsmen to look for:
- Coppersmiths (铜匠): Traditional copper and brass vessels; workshop prices much better than tourist stalls
- Hat-makers (帽匠): Traditional Uyghur skullcap embroiderers; ¥30–80 for a quality cap
- Knife-makers (刀匠): Kashgar knives are famous throughout Xinjiang; quality fixed-blade knives ¥60–300
Sunday Livestock Market (牲畜巴扎)
The Sunday Market is one of the largest livestock markets in Central Asia. Every Sunday, farmers from across the surrounding area bring animals — horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, camels, cattle — to trade at a large open market east of the city.
Location: East of the New City, about 5km from central Kashgar
Time: Starts from dawn, most active 8am–11am
Entry: ¥30 per person
Getting there: Taxi (¥15–20) or bus 28
The scale is impressive and the atmosphere is chaotic and vivid — animals being inspected, prices being negotiated, tea being drunk. Bring a good attitude about animal smells and rural commerce. Photography opportunities are excellent.
The Sunday Bazaar (大巴扎): The Sunday market also includes a general goods bazaar — food, household goods, tools, cloth, and traditional crafts. The two markets are adjacent and both worth exploring.
Eating in Kashgar
Kashgar food is Uyghur cuisine at its most Uyghur — Central Asian in style, built on lamb and bread.
Key dishes:
Laghman (拉条子): The definitive Uyghur dish — thick hand-pulled noodles tossed with stir-fried lamb, vegetables, and chili. ¥20–35 in a restaurant; ¥15–20 at basic stalls.
Polo (抓饭): Rice cooked in lamb fat with carrots and lamb pieces — the Central Asian pilaf. Best at lunch when it’s fresh. ¥25–40.
Samsa (烤包子): Lamb and onion pastries baked in a clay tandoor oven; hot and flaky from the oven, ¥5–8 each.
Kawap (烤肉串): Lamb skewers, spiced with cumin; ¥4–8 per skewer. The Xinjiang version uses larger pieces of fattier lamb than most Chinese lamb skewer variations.
Nan (馕): The staple bread — circular flatbreads baked in clay ovens; ¥2–5. Buy from bakeries in the morning when fresh.
Shashlik (薄皮包子): Steam-cooked dumplings with thin skin; very different from Chinese style, ¥15–25 for a plate.
Where to eat: The area around Id Kah Square has multiple Uyghur restaurants. Look for places with a tandoor oven outside — a sign of fresh-baked goods. Altun Orda restaurant near the mosque is popular and reliable (¥40–80 per person).
Kashgar Night Market
The evening bazaar area around Id Kah Square runs from sunset until about 11pm — grilled meats, fresh fruits (watermelon, melon, figs in season), sweet nuts, and tea. The atmosphere in summer evenings is relaxed and lively.
Day Trips: Karakorum Highway (喀喇昆仑公路)
From Kashgar, the Karakorum Highway runs south toward Pakistan through some of the world’s most dramatic mountain scenery. Even if you’re not going to Pakistan, the journey south to Karakul Lake (喀拉库勒湖) is magnificent.
Karakul Lake: A high-altitude lake (3,600m) ringed by 7,000m+ peaks including Muztagh Ata, Kongur, and others. The drive from Kashgar takes about 3 hours. You can camp or stay in yurts at the lakeside (¥100–200/night). Entry ¥40.
Getting there: Bus from Kashgar International Bus Station to Tashkurgan (塔什库尔干), stopping at Karakul. About 3.5 hours, ¥50. Or hire a car for more flexibility (¥400–600 for the day trip).
Getting to Kashgar
By air: Kashgar Airport (KHG) has direct flights from Urumqi (1.5 hours), and seasonal services from other Chinese cities. Urumqi to Kashgar is the standard connection.
By train: Overnight trains from Urumqi to Kashgar take about 24 hours. The train passes through dramatic desert scenery, particularly the Taklamakan Desert section. The journey itself is an experience.
From Urumqi by bus: Not practical for the distance (1,500km+). Fly or train.
Where to Stay
Qinibagh Hotel (其尼瓦克宾馆): The historic hotel originally built by the British consulate in Kashgar, now renovated. Central location, ¥400–700/night.
Old City guesthouses: Several family-run guesthouses within the old city area; ¥150–350/night. Best for atmosphere.
International chains: Limited options in Kashgar; mid-range Chinese business hotels available at ¥200–450.
When to Visit
June–September: Best weather, most active markets and cultural life. August is peak.
April–May: Good conditions, fewer crowds.
October–November: Cooler, harvest season for pomegranates and figs.
Winter: Cold (0°C to -10°C), quieter, some facilities reduced.