Kashgar Travel Guide

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Kashgar Overview

Kashgar is a remote desert oasis in "another world".  The region is completely different than any other part of China in tradition, costume and lifestyle. The western most city of China is the solo outpost of civilization from the vast Taklmakan Desert to the Karakorun Mountains.

According to historical records, over 2100 years ago written by the Han general, Zhanggian, bazaars had already been established. Zhang called these bazaars "Sule".   The general of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Ban Chao, camped here taking advantage of this ideal location during his mission to conquer the smaller states.  During the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, Kashgar was one of the four famous towns outside the Hexi Corridor. The monk Tang Xuanzang passed Kashgar on his pilgrimage route to India. He described the area's prosperity in the book "Records from the Western Regions of the Great Tang Empire".  Over thousands of years, Kashgar has continued its converging position of trade between the East and the West. Goods and materials exported from the east undergo inspections here to go abroad while those from the west receive their visa prior to being distributed.

Kashgar was the converging point of several trade routes for China and Western Asia, known as the "Silk Road". Those trade routes meet at Kashi after circuiting the Taklamakan Desert then crossing Parmir Plateau leading into India, Iran, Western Asia and Europe.

The unique scenery of Kashgar includes the Parmir Plateau known as "the Roof of the World", circuitous and zigzagging Yarkant River, Muztagata Mountain, called the "Father of the Glacier" glittering and translucent all the year round; the second highest peak, Chongori Peak, the elegant and beautiful Karakuli Lake, and Taklamakan Desert known as "the Sea of Death".

Kashgar has many cultural relics and historic sites including the famous Etigar Mosque and tomb of Mahmud Kashkarii, the great linguist of Uygur in the 11th century A.D. and author of "the Turkish-Chinese Dictionary", tombs of Yusufu Hasi Hajifu, the author of "Happiness and Wisdom", and Large-scale Islamic ancient buildings and the tomb of Xiang the imperial concubine. There are also Buddhist ruins, Moerfu Tower, capital city of ancient "Hepantuo" state-Stone Ctiy in Tash Kurghan and more. Kashi is one of the leading historic and cultural cities in the whole country, a strategically important town on the ancient Silk Road, and a hot spot for tourist in Xinjiang.

Kashgar still retains the vestiges of a trading outpost. Bazaars full of Uygurs, Central Asia traders, and veiled Muslim women fill the city.  You will find delicate multicolored caps, beautiful and unconventional Yingjisha county knives and ethnic earthenware. Kashigar is renowned as the "Home of Songs and Dances ". Locals gather on the weekend singing their traditional songs.  The Handicrafts in Kashgar are perfect in workmanship and offer an outstanding variety. Kashgar also holds the reputation of "Home of Melons and Fruits" abundant in muskmelon, pomegranate, peach, grape, cherry, Chinese flowering quince, fig, pistachio and apricot.

Most of Uygur people, who inhabit Kashgar, are followers of Islam. They are famous for their strict etiquette, traditional clothes, and Islamic festivals.

Division of Administrative Areas: Kash exercises jurisdiction over 1 city and 11 counties: Kashi City, Shufu County, Shule County, Yingjisha County, Yueyuhu County, Jiashi County, Shache County, Zepu County, Yecheng County, Maigaiti County, Bachu County and Tashi Kurghan Tajik Autonomous County.

Area: 162,000 square kilometers.

Population: more than 3,000,000

Zip Code: 844000

Area number: 0998