Kashgar Travel Guide
City City in Xinjiang, China
At the Silk Road crossroads, Kashgar’s Id Kah Mosque and the sprawling Sunday bazaar draw traders and travelers. Walk the old city lanes for Uyghur kebabs, pomegranate stalls, and caravans of yaks and sheep woven into market life.
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Why Visit Kashgar? #
A crossroads of the Silk Road, Kashgar appeals for its living history, colorful markets and Uyghur culture. The Old City lanes and the massive Sunday livestock and bazaar market offer sensory immersion, while the Id Kah Mosque and local polo and pilaf (Uyghur polo) hint at deep traditions. Travelers come to browse handwoven carpets, sample lamb kebabs and witness a place where Central Asian trade routes still shape daily life.
Who's Kashgar For?
Kashgar is a Silk Road classic for independent travelers-lively Sunday livestock market, the old city lanes and cheap dorm-style guesthouses near Id Kah Mosque. Many overlanders stop for visa paperwork, local bazaars and onward transport to the Pamir Highway.
Uyghur cuisine shines in Kashgar: hand-pulled laghman, spicy kebabs, samsa and sweet naan at the Sunday market. Teahouses around the old bazaar and roadside grills near the Id Kah area serve authentic, inexpensive plates.
Kashgar is a gateway to high-altitude scenery-short trips lead to the Karakul Lake and Pamir foothills for alpine vistas. Expect dusty desert outskirts too; guided excursions work best for safe travel in remote areas.
Couples can wander hand-in-hand through the old bazaar at dusk and sip tea in rooftop cafés near Id Kah Mosque. The city’s historic architecture makes for atmospheric evenings, though some parts of the old town are under repair.
Best Things to Do in Kashgar
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Kashgar Bucket List
- Id Kah Mosque - Largest mosque in Xinjiang, central to Kashgar's religious and social life.
- Kashgar Old Town - Labyrinthine alleyways and traditional Uyghur homes reflecting the city's centuries-old Silk Road heritage.
- Kashgar Sunday Market (Livestock Market) - Vast weekly livestock and goods market where traders converge from across southern Xinjiang.
- Afaq Khoja Mausoleum - Elaborate tiled mausoleum and pilgrimage site outside town, associated with Afaq Khoja.
- Kashgar Regional Museum - Compact museum with archaeological finds and Uyghur ethnographic displays, great contextual background.
- Old City Teahouses near Id Kah Mosque - Low-key teahouses where locals meet, offering tea, conversation, and authentic everyday atmosphere.
- Local carpet workshops in the Old City - Small family-run workshops where you can watch traditional weaving and learn about carpet symbolism.
- Backstreet bakeries on Tuman Road - Modest bakeries producing fresh naan and samsa, ideal for tasting everyday Kashgari baked goods.
- Yengisar - Town famous for generations-old Uyghur knife-makers; workshops and small local markets to explore.
- Shufu (Shule) Old Town - Quiet traditional town near Kashgar with old bazaars, local life, and small mosques.
- Kashgar Sunday Market (evening sections) - Smaller weekday and evening stalls offer handicrafts and street food away from the main crowds.
- Kashgar countryside orchards (seasonal) - Nearby riverside orchards offer seasonal fruit-picking and a glimpse of rural Uyghur life.
Regions of Kashgar #
Old City
Kashgar’s Old City is the atmospheric core: narrow lanes, low houses and strong Uyghur character. Spend time wandering, sampling street snacks and watching craftsmen at work. It’s photogenic but parts can be worn down - go respectfully and with a local guide if you can.
Top Spots
- Id Kah Mosque - The large congregational mosque at the heart of the old quarter.
- Kashgar Old Town alleys - Winding streets of traditional wooden homes and workshops.
- Aba Khoja Mausoleum - Ornate tomb complex on the eastern edge of the old area.
Sunday Bazaar
The Sunday Bazaar spills out across the north side of Kashgar and is a must-see if your visit aligns with market day. It’s loud, colourful and a sensory overload - best experienced early with cash and a sense of adventure for bargaining.
Top Spots
- Sunday Market (Livestock Market) - One of Central Asia’s most famous bazaars for everything from carpets to camels.
- Adjacent food stalls - Quick, spicy Uyghur snacks during market day.
- Spice and textile rows - Great for browsing and bargaining.
New City
Kashgar’s New City is where you’ll find international-standard hotels, banks and calmer streets. It’s practical for transit and quieter nights, and serves as the sensible counterpart to the Old City’s intensity.
Top Spots
- Modern hotels and restaurants - More predictable dining and lodging options.
- Transport hubs - Bus and train connections to the wider region.
- City parks - Green spaces away from the old bazaar bustle.
Plan Your Visit to Kashgar #
Best Time to Visit Kashgar #
The best times to visit Kashgar are spring and autumn, when temperatures are mild, orchards and bazaars bustle, and nearby mountains are pleasant for day trips. Summers bring intense heat and dust, while winters are very cold and quiet - plan accordingly.
Best Time to Visit Kashgar #
Kashgar's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -11°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 0°C and lows of -11°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 17°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 5°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Almost no rain.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. The driest month with just 2 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Kashgar
Kashgar (Kashi) is reached by air at Kashgar Airport (KHG) and by rail at Kashgar Railway Station on the Southern Xinjiang Railway. Flights and long‑distance trains connect Kashgar with Ürümqi and other regional centres; long overland coach services link the city to towns across southern Xinjiang.
Kashgar Airport (KHG): Kashgar (Kashi) Airport is the city’s main airport, about 15-20 km northeast of the urban centre. From the airport you can take a metered taxi to central Kashgar (approx. 25-40 minutes depending on traffic) - expect roughly 40-80 CNY in typical conditions. There is usually an airport shuttle/minibus serving central points and major hotels; shuttle fares are cheaper (often under 20 CNY) but schedules can be limited, so check the desk on arrival. Didi (China’s ride‑hail app) works here and will often be similar to a taxi fare but with the convenience of app booking.
Train: Kashgar Railway Station (Kashgar Station) is on the Southern Xinjiang Railway and handles conventional long‑distance trains to/from Ürümqi and other Xinjiang cities. Trains from Ürümqi are long overnight runs (often 20-30+ hours depending on service); hard‑sleepers and soft‑sleepers are available - fares vary by class but expect a few hundred CNY for the full journey. Book tickets in advance, especially in peak seasons and national holidays.
Bus: Long‑distance coaches depart from Kashgar’s main long‑distance bus stations to regional destinations such as Hotan, Yarkand and border towns; journey times range from a few hours to 10+ hours and fares vary by distance (typically tens to a couple of hundred CNY). Local city buses and minibuses serve routes around Kashgar - they are very cheap but can be slow and sparsely scheduled in some neighbourhoods.
How to Get Around Kashgar
Kashgar is compact enough that the old town and main market are best experienced on foot, while taxis and Didi are the most practical ways to reach sites outside the centre or to handle airport/train transfers. For regional travel, choose overnight trains when possible for comfort; coaches are a flexible backup for destinations not on the rail network.
- Taxis (10-40 CNY) - Metered taxis are the most convenient way to get around Kashgar for door‑to‑door travel, especially when carrying luggage or visiting sites outside the old town. Fares for short trips inside the city are modest but negotiate or confirm the meter; drivers may expect higher fixed fares for airport runs. Taxis are plentiful near the railway station, market areas and major hotels.
- Didi (ride‑hailing) (10-60 CNY) - Didi operates in Kashgar and is useful for booking rides without haggling; English support is limited, so have addresses written in Chinese. Fares are generally comparable to local taxis but can rise during busy periods or long intercity pickups. Use Didi for scheduled pickups from the airport or for trips to attractions outside the core old town.
- City buses (1-3 CNY) - Kashgar's city buses cover main routes and are very cheap, making them a budget option for getting between neighbourhoods. Routes and timetables are less tourist‑friendly and stops may not be clearly marked in English - ask hotel staff for help. Buses can be slow and infrequent compared with taxis or Didi, but they are reliable for routine travel.
- Long‑distance coaches (30-150 CNY) - Coaches link Kashgar with other Xinjiang towns (Hotan, Yarkand, etc.) and are a common way to travel regionally when trains are unavailable. Journey times vary widely and seats can fill in peak periods, so buy tickets in advance at the coach station or through a travel agency. Coaches range from basic to more comfortable services; bring water and snacks for long trips.
- Bicycle / E‑bike rental (10-50 CNY/day) - Short‑term bicycle and electric‑bike rentals are available around the city and can be a pleasant way to explore quieter streets and the outskirts at your own pace. Roads around the old town can be busy; choose quieter hours and wear a helmet if possible. Rental rates vary by model and duration - ask locally for day or half‑day prices.
- Walking - Kashgar's historic old city and the central market are best explored on foot - walking lets you soak up the atmosphere and enter alleys inaccessible by car. Temperatures can be extreme in summer and winter, so plan walks for cooler parts of the day and carry water. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven pavements in older districts.
Where to Stay in Kashgar #
Where to Eat in Kashgar #
Kashgar is a Uyghur culinary heartland-expect hand-pulled laghman noodles, tandoor-baked naan, flaky samsa and charcoal-grilled lamb skewers perfuming the Old Town. The food scene is rooted in markets and teahouses: wander the lanes around Id Kah Mosque and the vast Sunday Bazaar to sample sweets, breads and spicy kebabs.
Street food is king here, so eating is a social, on-the-go affair: sit at a tea house with a plate of polo (pilaf) or grab a skewer and a warm naan from a vendor and watch life in the medina.
- Kashgar Old Town stalls - Skewered lamb, naan and samsa pastries
- Id Kah Mosque area eateries - Laghman, polo and noodle houses galore
- Sunday Bazaar (Lakash) - Handmade breads, kebabs and street snacks
- Hotel restaurants near the train station - Chinese and Uyghur fusion for travelers
- Modern cafés in Tashkurgan Road area - Coffee shops and light international fare
- Bazaar tea houses - Persian-leaning pilafs and teahouse snacks
- Tea houses in the Old City - Vegetable pilafs and herb-heavy salads
- Naan bakeries - Warm bread with yogurt and tea
- Market fruit and nut stalls - Fresh apricots, melons and roasted nuts
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Kashgar's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Kashgar #
Kashgar’s nighttime identity is anchored in its Old Town bazaars and the area around Id Kah Mosque - markets and street stalls stay lively into the evening, especially on market days. Alcohol is uncommon; evenings are about food stalls, tea-houses and wandering the historic streets. Modest dress and respect for local customs are important in this predominantly Muslim city. Keep to main streets after dark and stick to populated market areas.
Best Bets
- Id Kah Mosque & Bazaar - Central evening market stalls and street food near the mosque.
- Kashgar Old City night market - Lively stalls selling snacks, textiles and local snacks.
- Weekly Sunday Bazaar (main market days) - If your visit aligns, markets swell with evening activity.
- Old Town alley cafés - Small tea-houses and late-evening food stalls in the lanes.
- Silk Road market areas - Shopping by night with local snacks and souvenirs.
- Hotel rooftop cafés - Rooftop tea and views over the Old Town at sunset.
Shopping in Kashgar #
Kashgar is one of Central Asia’s classic bazaars: the Sunday Market (the big Xinjiang Sunday Bazaar) is the highlight, overflowing with carpets, livestock trading, spices, pashmina and Uyghur street food. The Old Town around Id Kah Mosque and the Grand Bazaar area are the best places to hunt for handcrafted knives, embroidered clothing and silk. Bargaining is part of the culture-start low and be polite; cash is king in small stalls.
Best Bets
- Kashgar Sunday Market - World-famous weekly market for carpets, livestock and spices.
- Id Kah Mosque Bazaar - Small shops around the mosque selling textiles and souvenirs.
- Kashgar Old Town Markets - Narrow streets full of Uyghur handicrafts and tea houses.
- Carpet & Rug Workshops - Local producers of Xinjiang and Kashgar-style handwoven carpets.
- Silk & Pashmina Shops - Fine silk and pashmina stoles sold across the bazaars.
- Handicraft & Knife Sellers - Souvenirs from small family-run craftsmen and metalworkers.
