Kashgar Old City

Kashgar Old City (喀什噶尔古城, Kāshí Gá’ěr Gǔchéng), the ​​soul of Xinjiang’s Uyghur culture​​, is one of the world’s last intact ​​earthen Islamic cities​​. Spanning ​​4.25 km²​​ and inhabited by ​​126,000 residents​​, its crisscrossing alleys and ​​centuries-old mud-brick homes​​ earned it ​​AAAAA status (2015)​​ and UNESCO recognition as a ​​Silk Road treasure​​.

​​2. Historical Significance​​

• ​​Silk Road Nexus​​: Founded as Shule (2nd century BCE), it linked China to Persia, India, and Rome, trading silk, spices, and Buddhism.
• ​​Multi-Ethnic Legacy​​: Inhabited by Uyghurs, Han, and Kazakhs, its architecture fuses ​​Roman columns​​, ​​Persian woodcuts​​, and ​​Buddhist motifs​​.
• ​​Tang Dynasty Garrison​​: Hosted the ​​Anxi Protectorate​​ (640 CE), guarding China’s western frontier.

​​3. Architectural Marvels​​

• ​​"Subtractive Construction"​​: Homes and streets were ​​carved into loess cliffs​​, creating natural insulation against Turpan’s heat.
• ​​Labyrinth Design​​:
  • ​​Hexagonal bricks​​ guide exits; ​​quadrilateral bricks​​ mark dead ends.
  • ​​"Cliff-Climbing Houses"​​: Multi-tiered adobe structures stacked like ​​"Xinjiang’s Potala Palace"​​.
• ​​Id Kah Mosque​​: China’s largest mosque (1442 CE), with a tapestry symbolizing ​​56 ethnic groups’ unity​​.

​​4. Cultural Highlights​​

• ​​Bazaars​​: Thematic markets like ​​Blacksmith Street​​ and ​​Pottery Bazaar​​ showcase Uyghur crafts.
• ​​Uyghur Traditions​​:
  • ​​Throat-singing​​, ​​eagle dances​​, and ​​kumis (fermented mare’s milk)​​.
  • ​​Naan bread​​ baked in tandoor ovens, served with ​​pomegranate tea​​.
• ​​Century-Old Teahouse​​: A Journey to the West filming spot for Uyghur music and storytelling.

​​5. Visitor Tips​​

• ​​Best Time​​: ​​April–October​​ (avoid winter lows of ​​-10°C/14°F​​).
• ​​Entry​​: ​​Free​​ (since 2025); ​​¥30​​ for mosque access.
• ​​Transport​​: ​​9 km from Kashgar Airport​​; buses #2/#7 to Old City.
• ​​Etiquette​​: Respect Islamic customs (dress modestly, no pork in Muslim areas).

​​6. Why Visit?​​
Kashgar Old City is a ​​time capsule of Silk Road glory​​—where ​​ancient trade routes​​, ​​living Uyghur culture​​, and ​​architectural ingenuity​​ collide. As traveler Rebecca Lowe noted: "To walk its alleys is to traverse millennia."