This article provides a detailed overview of the nine top attractions in Kashgar, including the Kashgar Old Town and the Id Kah Mosque, highlighting the best times to visit and local delicacies, making it perfect for leisurely travelers.
On this trip to Kashgar, I stayed right next to the Old Town. Every day I woke up naturally, and the attractions were just steps away. In nine days, I managed to hit all the essential spots. Here’s the lowdown, so lazy folks can just follow along.
On my first day, I rushed to the Old Town, went for some photos at 8 AM, and there were so few tourists it felt like I had the place to myself. I went back to the hotel for a nap around noon, then came out again at 7 PM to catch the sunset and grab a late-night snack.
Must-try foods:
⚠️ Note: After eating lamb, don't dive into the ice cream from that "Old Ice Mountain" place in the Old Town right away; I had the runs the next day and questioned my life choices. There's an opening ceremony at the East Gate every day at 10:30; get there 10 minutes early to snag a front-row spot.
It's just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town, and you can’t go inside, but it’s awesome for pictures. This is the biggest mosque in Xinjiang, featuring yellow walls and a green dome—best lighting around 3 PM.
This is a 600-year-old residential area that's now full of hidden gem shops. I bought a little pottery pot from a local maker; the owner actually used his feet to spin the wheel, and it was 50 yuan with free shipping.
Suggested route: Café → Bookstore → Adras silk workshop → Brick carving shop, you can finish this in an hour.
It’s a 15-minute taxi ride away, and the main tomb room shines like a palace. The blue glazed bricks sparkle under the sun. I saw a lot of girls in Adras dresses taking photos, and entry is 45 yuan, which includes a guide. If you’re not into photography, you can wrap up your visit in 30 minutes.
I always check out museums in every city, so make sure they’re open on Mondays! There’s a mummy exhibit on the second floor, but beware if you’re faint of heart. About 2 hours is enough to explore, then you can taxi back to the Old Town for dinner.
I hired a car for a round trip, and the Father of Ice Mountains definitely lives up to its name. Karakul Lake changes color; I’ve got pics of it in blue, green, and gray, and it’s best to go between 3-5 PM for ideal lighting. It’s windy by the lake, so definitely bring a down jacket.
Go on a sunny day! Sunny day! Sunny day! I can't stress this enough. The white sand is as fine as baby powder, and if you don’t want to walk, just navigate to the north bank where you can drive right up to the lake—free! Free! I took 200 photos here.
Little Knife Village is about an hour’s drive from Kashgar. You need your ID to buy a knife, and I got three little knives shipped back home with free shipping nationwide. I watched craftsmen sharpening knives right there; it was super cool with sparks flying.
At an elevation of over 5000 meters, I suffered from altitude sickness so bad my head was pounding. There was a half-hour wait for the transfer vehicle, and the wind was strong enough to knock you over. But the photos at the national gate are breathtaking; I’d recommend bringing an oxygen tank. I used three canisters just to recover.
| Item | What I Did | Pitfalls to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Didi in the city + hired car to attractions | Get a border pass for Tax County in advance |
| Accommodation | 200 yuan/night in an Old Town guesthouse | Choose one with an elevator; lugging bags is a pain |
| Clothing | Short sleeves + down jacket + sun protection | It’s 0°C in the early morning and evenings in the Pamirs |
| Photography | Old Town at 8 AM / White Sand Lake at 4 PM | No flying drones at the mosque |
| Shopping | Little Knife Village + Pottery shop | Bargain hard, aim for half price |
Final reminder: Always ask the locals if "can I take your photo?" I met a grandpa who said in Chinese, "5 yuan a picture," and it cracked me up!
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