Kashgar Old Town: A Living Silk Road Heritage in Xinjiang

Located in the heart of Kashgar city, the Kashgar Old town demonstrates a fascinating architectural style of mud built houses with supporting wooden beams and beautifully carved wooden ceilings with numerous small lanes crisscross to every corner, hundreds-year-old two or three stories simple architecture scatter around.

Influenced both by Eastern and Western cultures in the Silk Road period, the architecture of the Kashgar Old Town displays the charm of Central and Western Asia as well as elements of ancient Roman. Some of the houses in the old town are more than five hundred years old, making the visitors feel as if take a walk back through time.

Kashgar Old Town Facts

Highlights & Things to Do in Kashgar Old Town

Kashgar Old Town Walking Tour

A walking tour is the best way to experience the old town’s unique maze-like layout. The streets in the Old Town of Kashgar are paved with hexagonal and square tiles that help visitors navigate—tiles with six corners lead to main streets, while those with four corners indicate dead ends.

Walking through different alleys in the ancient city, you will also discover various surprises. There are many handicraft shops in the ancient city, such as the “Home of Companionship” (陪伴之家) carpet shop. Here, you can leisurely choose a handcrafted Uyghur-style carpet.

East Gate Opening Ceremony

This ceremony is held daily at 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM (only one ceremony at 10:30 in the morning during winter). This ceremony features traditional Uyghur music, dance, and a camel caravan procession. Remember to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

Century-Old Teahouse

In its West District, Kashgar Century-Old Teahouse is where both local people and tourists like to gather. It shows the traditional lifestyle of Uyghur people. Entering the teahouse, the scene of red carpet, blue wall, yellow ice sugar, local people and tourists drinking tea with little porcelain bowl, eating Nang and listening to local music is what makes it attractive.

Rainbow Alley / Cloth Bag Alley

These two alley are famous for its colorful walls adorned with flower hats, embroidery, and earthenware, and are also favorite photo spots among travelers during their Kashgar tours.

A Visit to the Id Kah Mosque

Located just outside the old town on Jiefang Road, Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China, which is capable of accommodating up to 20,000 worshippers. Completed in the 16th century by descendants of the King of Kashgar, this magnificent structure features a yellow-tiled facade, intricately carved wooden pillars, and a serene courtyard garden.

Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside of prayer times. Remember to dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall. Women may borrow a headscarf at the entrance.

>> Recommended 19-Day China Odyssey Tour for Muslims

Abakh Hoja Tomb

Located about 5 kilometers northeast of the old town, Abakh Hoja Tomb is one of Xinjiang’s most important Islamic pilgrimage sites. The complex features exquisite glazed tiles, Persian-influenced domes, and a richly decorated prayer hall. Constructed in 1640 AD, this magnificent mausoleum is the burial place of Abakh Hoja, a 17th-century Islamic leader.

Kashgar Sunday Market

The Kashgar Sunday Market (also known as the Grand Bazaar) is a feast for the senses. It starts at 10 am every Sunday, with the busiest period being after 12:00 noon, and this lively atmosphere can even continue until 5:00 pm or later.

In its famous livestock market, farmers arrive from across the region to trade camels, horses, sheep, donkeys, and occasionally yaks. You can watch the bargaining rituals between Uyghur, Tajik, Kazakh, and Kyrgyz traders is an unforgettable experience.

The most important is that don’t miss the street food on the market— sizzling lamb skewers, freshly baked naan bread, and crispy samsa (meat-filled pastries) are local favorites.

>> Related Reading: 26 Best Markets in China You Shouldn’t Miss

How to Visit Kashgar Old Town

How to Get to Kashgar Old Town

To reach Kashgar Old Town, you first need to arrive in Kashgar city, then reach here by long-distance bus, which arrive at the International Bus Station near the city center. From there, taxis (CNY 10–15) or buses No. 2, 7, 8, 22, or 28 (CNY 2) will take you to the old town in 10–15 minutes.

Best Time to Visit Kashgar

The best time to visit Kashgar is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). These seasons offer moderate temperatures, sunny days, and the most pleasant conditions for walking tours.

During spring, temperatures are mild, and apricot blossoms bloom throughout the region, creating picturesque scenery. However, dust storms are possible, so bring protective gear.

Besides, in autumn, it brings comfortable temperatures (10–25°C), abundant sunshine, and golden poplar forests that are a photographer’s dream.

>> Learn more about Kashgar Climate & Weather

Tips for Visiting Old Town of Kashgar

>> Learn more about Kashgar Travel Tips

Explore Kashgar Authentically with Easy Tour China

Beyond the Kashagr Old Town, Kashgar is the home to other marvels like the Karakul Lake, the Stone City, and the ingenious Mor Buddhist Pagoda, offering you a comprehensive chance to seamlessly experience history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes in this mysterious Western China city. Just let Easy Tour China help you craft the perfect Xinjiang tour. Here are some recommended itineraries.