Enjoy the unique culture of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 4 Kuqa)

Kuqa, Xinjiang, China, visited 18 -21 June 2024

From Kuele, I now boarded the train which sped across a desert landscape to arrive in Kuqa, less than 4 hours away. Kuqa was the homeland of the ancient Buddhist Kingdom of Kucha.

I went looking around the old town as soon as I arrived in the late afternoon. The Grand Mosque stood majestically, but quiet like a monument. I then visited the old Wang Ye Palace, built in the Qing Dynasty to commend the local leader for his loyalty. Next to it was the pedestrian street, teeming with Chinese tourists. At a cultural stage performance, the local Uyghurs jumped at the invitation to join in a dance – it was beautiful and happy. 

The next day, I joined 2 other Uyghur tourists in a car to visit the Grand Canyon and the Kizil Caves. We were driving around the desert enveloped in the heat and chased by dust. The colorful and rugged mountains and rocks looked like a Martian landscape that would not countenance a single green shoot. The highways cut through the desert and mountains like a hot knife through butter. 

We then drove to the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves. Only 6 of these small rock-cut caves were opened to the public. These are Buddhist caves with murals on the walls and ceiling depicting the stories of Buddhism. Unfortunately, many of these murals were partially lost or the colors faded. A guide was stationed in each cave to provide commentaries for a group of 10 that came through. I listened attentively when the young Uyghur guides provided commentaries on Buddhism’s history in this ancient land. Though history, it can not be denied.

In front of a primary school, I saw some primary school Uyghur children doing English and Chinese homework while others conversing with each other in fluent Chinese-accented Mandarin, while waiting to be picked up after school. I was amused to see a group of people speaking my language not looking at all like me.

After a long day, I ordered dinner dishes, and the Uyghur owner asked me if I wanted beer.

Kuqa is the most rewarding so far because getting to know the Uyghurs is a revealing experience.

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

Enjoy the unique culture of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 5 Kashgar)

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The Stops on this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Kyrgyzstan Bishkek > Uzbekistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian