Kashgar, the westernmost city in China

The city of Kashgar is located in the oasis of the same name, in the uttermost western part of the Tarim Basin. It is fed by three rivers: the Kashgar, Gezdarya and Hantereksu. Almost from all sides, the city is surrounded by the mountains of Tien Shan in the north and Kun-Lun in the south, while in the east, there lies the Takla Makan desert. The climate is relatively dry, but all the same this Kashgar oasis is one of the most fertile places in Xinjiang.

Kashgar is the westmost city in China. With a history of over 2,000 years, Kashgar served as a main node of communications along the ancient Silk Road, which linked ancient China with Central Asian countries, such as present-day India and Iran, and Europe.

Many people yearn to visit Kashgar not only because of its exotic customs, but also because of the film "The Kite Runner". Because of the war in Afghanistan, this film was shoot in Kashgar.

Kashgar once played a very important role along the Silk Road. In ancient Qin and Han Dyansties more than 2,000 years ago, Kashgar was the site of the Shule Kingdom. Along with Zhang Qian’s travel to the West Regions in the West Han Dynasty, it became one part of the territory of China and a vital border town on the southern route of Silk Road.

● Highlights of Kashgar

Snow-capped mountains, plateaus, deserts, oases, and other magnificent landscapes can be found there. Colorful ethnic customs and lively bazaars make Kashgar a vivacious place to visit.Today, Kashgar is one of the top must-visit destinations on Xinjiang bucket list as the cultural heart of Xinjiang.

The city has kept many historical sites like Kashgar Old Town - shooting location of The Kite Runner, Xinjiang’s biggest mosque - Id Kah Mosque, traditional trade in Kashgar Bazaar, etc.

The hospitable Uyghurs in Kashgar are good at both singing and dancing, and they welcome visitors from all over the world. Their unique musical instruments and clothes are an exotic attraction to visitors.

Kashgar Old Town

Kashgar Old Town used to be at the crossroads of the northern and southern branches of the Silk Road. Influenced both by Eastern and Western cultures, the architecture of the Kashgar Old Town displays the charm of Central and Western Asia as well as elements of ancient Roman.

The Old City has been rebuilt, so it's more like a new town on the old city location. But the architecture there retains its traditional style.Numerous small lanes crisscross the old city, stretching into every corner. It's like walking in a maze, exploring the small alleys in the old cityYou can still observe local life there: children playing on the streets, small shops selling food and souvenirs, and craftsmen making bronze ware.

Abakh Hoja

Northeast corner of the Kashgar city sits a family tomb of Abakh Hoja, the then mighty ruler of Kashgar in 17th century, the tomb is a key cultural relic unit under the protection of the Autonomous Region.

Id Kah Mosque

The Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China. As the center of religious activity in Kashgar, the area is typically full of pilgrims who have come to worship at the mosque. Sometimes, these pilgrims have religious activities right outside the temple, where they whip themselves into a frenzied dance accompanied by musicians playing from balconies of the Id Kah Mosque.

Karakul Lake

Karakul Lake is located approximately 200km from Kashgar. At an altitude of 3,600m, it is the highest lake of the Pamir Plateau, be surrounded by mountains with snow and ice, near the junction of the Pamir Mountains, Tianshan and Kunlunshan mountain ranges.

Muztagh-Ata

Muztagh Peak is located on the Pamirs, tower by the side of the Karakoram Highway. it is one of the peaks of Kunlun Mountains Ranges, 7719 metres above the sea level. the depth of the ice and snow accumulated on the summit is about 100-200 metres.

The glaciers here are magnificent and astonishing. There are 3 peaks on the Pamirs that are open to mountaineers: the Gongger Peak(7719m), the Gongger Jiubie Peak(7595m) and Muztagh-Ata( 7509m). Every year, they attract thousands of mountaineers and tourists from all over the world.

Located at the foot of Muztagh Peak, Karakul Lake is a very good piont rewarding with splendid view of a vast and quiet mountain panorama, glaciers, and icebergs.

Tasha Ancient Road

Pass through the mountains from the northern end of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County to Shache county , The entire 300 Km is less than . This ancient road goes deep into the hinterland of Kunlun Mountains and Pamir Plateau , Integrating scenery and Humanities, Almost contains the essence of Pamirs apricot flower. It also has snow mountains,canyon,village, Rural and Tajik villagers and many other elements .

Stone City

The Stone City, with a history over 2,000 years old, is located in the north of Tashkurgan County, is a famous ancient city ruins along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang.

The city was ty built on a high hill, the situation is very steep. Outside have multilayer or broken walls, place stone mingle with soil.

Here travelers can appreciate the view of the ruined city with the beautiful surroundings such as vast grasslands, green mountains, clean rivers as well as the the flavor of national traits of the Tajik people.

Taheman wetland

“ Tahoma ” Tajik means “ Surrounded by mountains ”, The locals call it “ Divine flowers multiply ” The land . Taheman wetland is the largest basin and grassland in Tashkurgan , It is also the largest golden pasture in Tashkurgan . This plateau wetland is located in “ Father of iceberg ” At the foot of Mount mustard , The surrounding snow peaks are continuous , Wetlands and streams crisscross , The grassland is golden , Flocks and herds , The scenery is magnificent .

Pamir apricot blossoms

Ta County is located in the Pamir Plateau, where the Kunlun Mountains, Karakoram Mountains, Hindu Kush Mountains and other mountain systems converge.Every spring, the apricot blossoms gradually bloom in the long valleys, and the villages cover them, forming a quiet and leisurely "Xanadu" map, attracting tourists to chase and experience.

● Kashgar Food&Drinks

Kashgar cuisine belongs to Xinjiang food which is much different to Chinese food in other part boasting sorts of wheaten food, beef and mutton. A wide variety of Muslim food, Central Asian flavors, as well as tastes from other regions can be found in Kashgar.

There are many Uigur restaurants stand randomly around Kashgar city. Tourists can find authentic Xijiang cuisine in Kashgar including roast lamb, mutton kebabs, Nan bread stew, Uigur rice, roast fish and noodles and pancakes.

● Kashgar Climate

Kashgar has a temperate and continental arid climate with four clearly distinct seasons, featuring a relatively longer summertime and a shorter winter. Summer doesn’t feel too hot because of the dryness, and winter averages around freezing, but for the same reason doesn’t feel so cold.

The period from May to October offer pleasanter weather for visiting Kashgar, while the most optimal weather conditions and ripe fruits in that region make August and September the best two months to visit.

● Kashgar Transportation

By Air

Kashgar International Airport was open to traffic in 1953 and became the busiest transfer hub in southern Xinjiang. It operates airlines to/off about 20 cities, including Urumqi , Lanzhou, Beijing, Chengdu , Xian, Nanjing, Shanghai , Bole, Korla, Toumchouq , Yining, Aksu, Shache, etc.

By Railway

Kashgar has the westernmost railway station in China. It is connected to the rest of China's rail network via the Southern Xinjiang Railway, which was built in December 1999. Kashgar–Hotan Railway opened for passenger traffic in June 2011, and connected Kashgar with cities in the southern Tarim Basin including Shache (Yarkand), Yecheng (Kargilik) and Hotan. Travel time to Urumqi from Kashgar is approximately 25 hours, while travel time to Hotan is approximately ten hours.

Karakorum highway

The Karakorum highway (KKH) links Islamabad, Pakistan with Kashgar over the Khunjerab Pass.

The Karakoram Highway or KKH is a 1,300 km national highway which extends from Hasan Abdal in the Punjab province of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass in Gilgit-Baltistan, where it crosses into China and becomes China National Highway 314.  Karakoram Highway provides the pathway to expeditions for almost all peaks in Gilgit–Baltistan, Kashmir and several peaks in Xinjiang China. The highway is a popular tourist attraction and is one of the highest paved roads in the world. The route offers snow clad mountains, sky high peaks,  high altitude lakes, glaciers and mountain passes.

Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions under which it was constructed, it is often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.The highway is also a part of the Asian Highway AH4.