Kashgar Old Town

Kashgar Old Town has a long history and most of the ancient houses have existed for a few centuries. Most homes are handed down from generation to generation for over 300 to 400 years. The structure roof, walls, doors, windows, and colors remain unchanged for centuries. One home often reflects the history of a clan that is full of fertility, development, vicissitude, and descendant continuance.

On a high precipice of yellow soil in the southeast of old city Kashgar there is a small alley of Uygur residents referred to as Kuo Zi Qi Ya Bei Xi (a place for earthenware producers) in Uigur with the intention of soil earthenware on high precipice."

This outcrop of several hundred meters in length on the highest position in Kashi has been occupied for more than two thousand years. It is said that Ban Chao and Di Gong, famous generals in the Eastern Han Dynasty, once lived here. More than 2,450 people of 603 families, all of whom are of Uygurds reside here.

Many homes are passed down through seven or eight generations. Due to the Uygur's strong belief in ancestors, some large houses have up to 20 rooms on two levels. In wing rooms on either side of the main dwelling, several generations live in the same courtyard which is actually the realization of four generations under one roof.

Visiting the small alleys and knowing Uygur's characteristic residence culture, you can enjoy and experience the culture and history that is contained in the small alleys and deep courtyards. In the alleys on platforms besides the residence marvel at the even more ancient primitive workshops for hand-made earthenware. Some 17or18 antique workshops have been restored.

The location of the platform residence is called "Kuo Zi Qi Ya Bei Xi (a place for earthenware producers)" in Uigur meaning "earthenware on a high precipice". The unique homes and antique soil earthenware workshops on soil precipices have become the two tourist attractions.

• Opening Hours: All day long
• Recommended time for a visit: A day