Kashgar Old Town Travel Guide

Kashgar Old City is a living block of raw earth buildings, with hundreds of alleys housing tens of thousands of households. Its most traveler-friendly feature is its accessibility: you can watch the copper kettle being hammered at the coppersmith shop, watch the naan cakes by the china pit, and enjoy the rooftop sea of the old city while baking buns at the rooftop restaurant

two-day, one-night tour

• Day 1 Morning: East Gate City Opening Ceremony (10:30), watch handicrafts along Wusitang Boyi Road: copperware, musical instruments, printed fabric, woodwork, one alley with one trade
• Day 1 afternoon: Outside the square of Etiqal Mosque, listen to the piano on the second floor of a century-old teahouse, visit the Huamao Bazaar and Dried Fruit Bazaar
• Morning the next day: The morning market on the west side of the ancient city—the first batch of naan and yogurt shaved ice stalls; In the morning, climb to the high-platform residences to enjoy panoramic rooftops
• Evening: Ancient Town Night Market, grilled eggs, jar meat, pigeon soup, eating all the way through

Where to stay

The guesthouse inside the old city is the heart of the experience: the original earthen courtyard has been renovated, and the rooftop serves as the viewing platform. During peak season (May to October), book three to five days in advance; Choose a courtyard with rooftop breakfast; morning light paired with hot tea is the best way to start the old city

Notes

Greet people first; most residents are friendly but don't hold up the camera to make a face-threatening gesture; Avoid visiting mosques during prayer hours and dress appropriately; Alleys are narrow, with many electric vehicles passing through, so keep to the side; There are very few areas in the ancient city where drones are allowed, so don't take them off on your own