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

Kashgar, Xinjiang, visited on 22-23 June 2024

From Kuqa, I took the night train to near the Western border, Kashgar, perhaps the most well-known of the Uyghur cities in Xinjiang.

The old city is extensive, consisting of West Old Town and East Old Town. The streets are lined with brown buildings of Uyghur style, spruced up with pride. The iconic landmarks are the old East City Gate and the Etigar Mosque. Chinese girls came here to don the traditional Uyghur dress with matching makeup, accompanied by professional photographers, to try to live the fair-tale ancient life they could have, now captured as a reality. Some put up their camera stands, speaking into their phones, life-streaming from an alien ancient world.

Western fast food chains are totally out of sight, as the food scene is totally dominated by Chinese and Uyghur cuisines, some familiar while others strange to foreign eyes. Western breads are uncommon. Instead, the local breads are as fresh and deliciously as they were centuries ago.   

I found myself speaking to the Uyghurs in English in a couple of occasions, forgetting for a moment I was in China. For 2 days I walked back in time.

I rode the taxi to go out of the old towns to visit Fragrant Concubine Park, which with its grand Islamic architecture, reminded me of the Taj Mahal. I also visited the Kashgar Museum and learned how it was administered by the various China dynasties in the past.  

The locals still live in the old towns, among the thriving shops and restaurants. I saw children, and young boys and girls playing loudly and cheerfully together. I also came across locals and visitors, young and old, men and women dancing together to Uyghur music on the streets. It was a happy time.  

I came to see and learn abut the Uyghurs and their culture – it has been a great pleasure knowing them. 

To see next Stop, click below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 6 Duku Scenic Drive to Nalati)

To start from Stop 1 – Urumqi, click 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

The route map for this Trip: