Top Kashgar attractions and best sightseeing, what to see

Top 1: Ancient City of Kashgar

Ancient City of Kashgar, also known as Kashgar Old City, located in the center of Kashgar city, is one of the most representative historical and cultural cities in Xinjiang. It serves as an important site for studying the culture of the ancient Silk Road. It was the political, economic, and cultural center of the ancient Western Regions, witnessing the exchange and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, earning the nickname "living fossil of ancient Western Region cities".

The Kashgar Old City offers a concentrated display of Uyghur family lifestyle, ethnic customs, traditional crafts and local cuisine. Walking through the streets of the ancient city feels like in a labyrinth, in which the architectural style here is unique, both Central Plains' Han and Tang dynasties' aesthetics and the Islamic style of the Western Regions. Here traditional Uyghur dwellings, ancient mosques, and bustling bazaars exude a strong exotic charm.

• Address: Jiefang North Road, Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 00:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Tour Length: 3-6 hours

Top 2: Pamirs Plateau

The Pamir Tourist Area is a must-visit destination for travelers to Kashgar. Known as the roof of Asia, the Pamir Plateau features numerous towering peaks, including Muztagh Ata, K2, and Kongur Tagh. The terrain is complex and varied, with towering mountains and expansive alpine grasslands, creating a unique geographical landscape.

In addition to its natural beauty, the Pamir Plateau is rich in historical significance as a key route on the ancient Silk Road. The area is home to numerous historical relics, such as the ancient beacon tower on the shores of Karakul Lake and the famous pearl of the Silk Road Kashgar Old City, which bear witness to millennia of historical change.

• Address: Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 00:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Tour Length: 2-3 days

Top 3: Abakh Khoja Tomb

The Abakh Khoja Tomb is located in the Haohan Village, which is a prime example of Islamic architecture. The tomb is famously associated with "Fragrant Concubine", a concubine of the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, therefore it is known as “Fragrant Concubine Tomb”.

The mausoleum complex includes prayer halls, mosques of varying sizes, gate towers, the main tomb chamber and orchards, creating a visually striking, multi-layered landscape. The complex showcases the ancient architectural styles and religious traditions of the Uyghur people, while also bearing witness to the vicissitude of significant families and political power in the Kashgar region.

• Address: Ayziret Village, 5 km northeast from the centre of Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 09:30 AM – 9:30 PM
• Tour Length: 2-3 hours

Top 4: Id Kah Mosque

The Id Kah Mosque, located on the western side of the Id Kah Square in Kashgar, is one of the most famous mosques in China and the largest in Xinjiang. This mosque is featured with distinct ethnic style and religious significance, serving as a key example of Uyghur Islamic architecture.

The mosque's architecture embodies a blend of humility and stable rather than grandiosity, reflecting the simplicity and piety of the Muslim community. The entrance of the mosque is constructed with yellow bricks and bordered with white plaster, presenting a clean and striking appearance. The mosque is a central place for daily prayers and major religious ceremonies, drawing large crowds of worshippers.

• Address: Jiefang North Road, Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 10:30 AM – 02:00 PM & 04:30 AM – 07:30 PM
• Tour Length: 1-2 hours

Top 5: Jinhuyang National Forest Park

Xinjiang Jinhuyang National Forest Park is located on the northern slopes of the Kunlun Mountains, at the upper edge of the Yarkant River alluvial fan, surrounded by water on three sides. The park, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, boasts a forest coverage rate of 76% and is rich in medicinal plant resources and wildlife. It is renowned for its lush greenery and numerous lakes, creating a picturesque landscape. The park is home to an expansive populus euphratica forest spanning thousands of acres, where visitors can observe the poplar trees in different stages, particularly in autumn when the golden leaves create a stunning spectacle.

• Address: No. 484 County Road, Poskam County, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 07:00 PM
• Tour Length: 3-4 hours

Top 6: Karakul Lake

Karakul Lake, located at the foot of the "Father of Ice Mountains", Mount Muztagh Ata, is a high-altitude glacial lake, that "Karakul" means "Black Sea". The lake is nestled among towering mountains, with lush waterside vegetation that Kyrgyz herders often reside. The lake's surface reflects the majestic and mysterious Muztagh Ata, covered in snow, creating a stunning scene where the mountains and water blend into a harmonious white. By the lake, a few houses and tents serve as a high-altitude tourist reception center and a permanent base camp for international mountaineers, providing accommodation and meals for visitors.

• Address: the foot of Muztagh Peak, Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 08:00 PM
• Tour Length: 3-4 hours

Top 7: Stone City Ruins

The Stone City Ruins are a well-preserved ancient stone fortress built over 1,300 years ago. It served as a crucial post and military stronghold along the ancient Silk Road. The fortress is situated on a high hill, with a very dangerous terrain. Outside the city, there are multiple layers of walls, some intact and others fragmented, with overlapping stone mounds and scattered rocks, creating a unique stone city landscape. As one of China's three major stone cities, it was a vital gateway for trade between South Asia and West Asia, bearing witness to the historical rise and fall of the Silk Road.

• Address: northeast of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 10:30 AM – 07:00 PM
• Tour Length: 1-2 hours

Top 8: Shipton’s Arch

This stone arch, towering on the Pamir Plateau, is known as the "Heavenly Gate" by locals. It has an arch shape, approximately 100 meters wide and over 500 meters high, possibly making it the tallest natural arch in the world. The arch is a masterpiece of nature, and its immeasurable depth astonishes visitors. It is a dream destination for tourists and adventurers alike, offering a breathtaking combination of majesty, ruggedness, serenity, and mystery. Standing tall and grand between heaven and earth, the "Heavenly Gate" is often imagined as a gateway to the abode of celestial beings.

• Address: 17 km south side from No. 309 provincial Highway, Artush County, Artush City
• Open Hours: 11:00 AM – 06:00 PM
• Tour Length: 2-3 hours

Top 9: Dawakun Desert

The Dawakun Scenic Area, known as the "Hometown of Desert Scenery Tourism in China", is acclaimed as one of the most beautiful deserts in the country. The area features 2,000 acres of water and 40,000 acres of desert, with shimmering lake being dotted with yachts, creating a picturesque scene. Highlights include the 1,800-years-old King of Poplar Trees, ancient tomb clusters, the beautiful Dawakun Lake, and the ruins of the ancient Dastan Palace. The grandeur of the pristine desert landscape, combined with its historical sites, forms an enchanting vista that captivates visitors.

• Address: Y406, Yopurga County, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 10:00 AM – 07:00 PM
• Tour Length: 1-2 days

Top 10: Kashgar Grand Bazaar

The Kashgar Grand Bazaar, officially known as the "Kashgar Western and Central Asian Bazaar of International Trade", is a traditional trading market with a history spanning over two thousand years. It has been an important hub on the ancient Silk Road, witnessing its historical prosperity. The bazaar houses 21 distinct markets and sees a daily flow of over one hundred thousand people. It offers a wide range of products, including local specialties, handicrafts, daily necessities, fruits, vegetables, and livestock, where is a focal point for experiencing the rich local customs and culture of the region.

• Address: No. 29 Xueyuan Road, Kashgar City, Kashgar Prefecture
• Open Hours: 11:00 AM – 08:00 PM
• Tour Length: 3-6 hours

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