Yarkant County
Yarkant County at a Glance
Costs: About $30-50 per day - travel costs vary; expect modest prices but add permit-related expenses.
Safety: High-security area; restricted travel - region under heavy security and strict controls; travel may be restricted for foreigners.
Best Time: May-October - warm summers and cold winters; spring-autumn best for travel.
Why Visit Yarkant County?
Yarkant County remains a Silk Road oasis where Uyghur bazaars, apricot orchards, and centuries-old mausoleums reflect a distinct cultural mix. Markets brim with dried fruits, handwoven textiles, and cumin-scented breads while afternoon tea culture and Uyghur music create a relaxed rhythm. Travelers interested in Silk Road history, traditional crafts, and regional cuisine will appreciate Yarkant’s layered past and living marketplace traditions.
Best Things to Do in Yarkant County
Yarkant County Bucket List
Don't Miss
Yarkant Old Town Bazaar - Lively bazaar selling Kashgar-style textiles, local foodstuffs, and Uyghur handicrafts.
Yarkant River Promenade - Riverside area with walking paths and riverside tea stalls frequented by locals.
Royal Cemetery of Yarkant - Historic burial site with ancient tombs tied to the region’s former rulers and elites.
Hidden Gems
Small Teahouses (Chaikhana) - Traditional Uyghur teahouses offering tea, breads, and a window into daily life.
Village Carpentry Workshops - Local craftsmen producing carved wood items and simple furniture using traditional methods.
Fruit Orchards on the Plain - Pistachio and apricot orchards where seasonal picking and local fruit stands appear.
Day Trips
Hotan - Oasis city with silk markets and cultural sites en route from Yarkant in Xinjiang.
Kashgar - Historic Silk Road hub with famous Id Kah Mosque and sprawling Sunday livestock market.
Best Time to Visit Yarkant County
Yarkant County is best in late spring and early autumn when temperatures are tolerable and dust storms are less frequent. Summers are very hot and winters extremely cold, so plan seasonally.
Hot Season
Desert heat is intense; days scorch while nights cool significantly. Avoid midday travel and expect dry air and sun exposure.
Spring
Windy, often dusty with dramatic temperature swings; good for travel if you can tolerate gusts and sudden weather changes too.
Cool Season
Bitingly cold winters with freezing nights; daytime sun helps, but remote roads may be icy and services limited often.
Yarkant County'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 -10°C to 33°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -10° - 1° | -5° | 1 mm | partly cloudy | 47% | 0.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| February | Acceptable | -6° - 6° | 0° | 2 mm | partly cloudy | 41% | 1.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.6h |
| March | Very Good | 2° - 15° | 8° | 3 mm | partly cloudy | 29% | 1.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 10° - 23° | 16° | 3 mm | partly cloudy | 23% | 1.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.1h |
| May | Excellent | 14° - 28° | 21° | 8 mm | partly cloudy | 25% | 2.1 m/s | 2.0 very high | 14.1h |
| June | Ideal | 17° - 32° | 24° | 5 mm | some cloud | 24% | 1.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.6h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 33° | 26° | 6 mm | some cloud | 25% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.4h |
| August | Ideal | 18° - 32° | 25° | 8 mm | partly cloudy | 26% | 1.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.5h |
| September | Ideal | 12° - 27° | 20° | 4 mm | mostly sunny | 29% | 1.4 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 5° - 21° | 13° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 27% | 1.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Very Good | -2° - 11° | 5° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 36% | 0.9 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.0h |
| December | Acceptable | -8° - 3° | -3° | 1 mm | partly cloudy | 46% | 0.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.4h |
How to Get to Yarkant County
Yarkant County (Shache) is reached primarily by road from Kashgar; Kashgar Airport is the main air gateway. Rail access is limited, so buses, shared vans and private cars are the standard arrival and onward options.
Kashgar Airport (KHG): The nearest major airport serving southern Xinjiang; road travel from Kashgar to Yarkant County takes about 2-4 hours depending on route and vehicle and is the common arrival option for the county.
Other regional airports: There are no larger international airports much closer to Yarkant - Kashgar remains the primary air gateway for visitors to Yarkant County.
Train: There is no direct standard intercity rail service into Yarkant County - overland travel is primarily by road from Kashgar and other cities.
Bus: Regular buses and shared vans connect Kashgar with Yarkant (Shache) and surrounding towns. Travel times vary with stops and road conditions and fares are typically modest (local pricing); expect multi‑hour journeys on China’s regional coach services.
How to Get Around Yarkant County
Expect to travel to Yarkant by road from Kashgar (airport) using buses, shared vans or hired cars; once in the county, taxis, local buses and walking handle most local movement.
- Intercity buses and shared vans (low (local fares)) - Buses and shared vans from Kashgar serve Yarkant and neighbouring towns; they are the practical, low‑cost option for most travellers. Journeys can be bumpy and take several hours depending on stops and road conditions - bring water and snacks.
- Private car hire / driver (negotiable) - Hiring a private car with driver is common for visiting remote sites and gives greater flexibility with stops and timing. Expect higher costs but much shorter door‑to‑door times and fewer schedule constraints.
- Local taxis (low to moderate) - Taxis are available in Yarkant town for short trips, market runs and hotel transfers. They’re useful for local errands but less common for longer inter‑county travel where buses or hired cars are used.
- Motorbike / bicycle (local hire) (low to moderate) - Short‑distance exploration around the town and nearby fields can be done on rented motorbikes or bicycles where available; road quality outside town varies so ride with caution.
- Local buses (within county) (low) - Local buses and minibuses link villages and smaller settlements within the county. Schedules are basic and subject to change; ask locally for up‑to‑date departure points and times.
- Walking - Yarkant town centre and market areas are compact and easily explored on foot. High daytime temperatures and strong sun are factors - carry water and sunscreen.
Nightlife in Yarkant County
Nightlife is very limited outside of larger towns. Evenings involve teahouses, small restaurants and community gatherings rather than clubs or bars. Cultural performances may occur around festivals, but regular late-night entertainment options are scarce.
Shopping in Yarkant County
Markets are a highlight-Yarkant’s bazaars are known for fresh fruit (pomegranates, melons), dried fruit and Uyghur handicrafts. Small shops in county towns stock textiles and local foodstuffs. Shopping is authentic and regionally focused; expect open-air stalls and seasonal goods rather than polished tourist shops.