——[Xinjiang Raiders] Kashgar
There is a very common misconception about southern Xinjiang, and in the minds of most travelers, Kashgar represents the entire southern frontier.
Although this kind of thinking has a great misinterpretation of southern Xinjiang, it also indirectly proves the charm of Kashgar, which was already the center of economic culture in the western region as early as two thousand years ago, where ideas, goods, and civilizations intersect and collide.
Whether it is our route or self-driving guide, Kashgar is the largest transit place in southern Xinjiang, because it is both a modern city and an old city with unlimited stories.
"Morocco in the East", "the most Middle Eastern place"... I don't like such a title, because Kashgar is Kashgar, it is just a city that exists in the westernmost part of China, a city with a unique charm.
Today, we will take you together to "raid" Kashgar ☑.
01.
Gastronomy
Everyone says to go to Kashgar to see the style, but what is the style? Where's the flair?
But it bothered a lot of people. We believe that the style is in the streets and alleys of Kashgar, in the lives of locals, in one kind of cuisine after another.
Kashgar Old Town is the essence of Kashgar cuisine, the taste of any shop is not authentic, there is almost no minefield, twenty or thirty pieces can eat, stay for three or five days is not much.
⛪1. Hanbazar Night Market:
Just on both sides of the road in kashgar's old town, opposite the Atiqa Mosque, starting around 8 p.m., the small scale but selling the most characteristic food in Xinjiang. Roast lamb, roasted pears, roasted eggs, pilaf, cold skin, yogurt... Everything you need here.
Everything here is cheaper, grilled buns for 2 yuan, lamb skewers for 3 yuan, about twenty or thirty can eat to support.
Pot meat: Lamb stewed with an enamel tea pot over low heat, generally one or two pieces of meat with turnips, chickpeas, and then a small piece of bread, eat the meat beautiful, soup fresh.
Yogurt Dumplings: Highly recommended small desserts, sprinkled with specially made syrupy red date juice on top of the dumplings, and also drizzled with fig jam.
Pomegranate juice (limited in autumn): The most characteristic fruit in Kashgar, with moderate sweetness, slightly better than xi'an.
All kinds of roasting: in Xinjiang anything can be baked, just take the egg, goose egg, ostrich egg are directly roasted, keep the original taste, and then make a hole in the egg plus secret seasoning, a few eggs, a dozen goose eggs.
Rice intestines & noodle lungs: Rice intestines are rice into the sheep intestines, and the noodle lungs are made by pouring noodle water into the sheep lungs and steaming them. With the addition of coriander, peppers, sauces, the taste is several times better than ordinary coriander beef, the price is 5-10 yuan / serving.
Belly Bun Meat: A snack cooked with haggis wrapped in the best piece of lamb tripe, accompanied by chili noodles and dipping sauce is simply amazing!
ps: there are many delicacies on the night market, all delicious, but some of the sanitary conditions are not very good, you can choose according to your own preferences and taboos.
⛪2. Milk Tea House:
Century-old tea house: The most famous tea house in Xinjiang, with a relatively long history, there are many people who punch cards, every day is full, and it is recommended to punch cards to take photos.
Folk musician Gudi Tea House: The tea house recommended by the locals, the taste is very positive, there are tea, shisha, nut desserts, etc., recommended Xinjiang medicinal tea.
⛪3. Cafes:
Old (ancient) city corner: the taste is not bad, more partial milk tea shop, very suitable for taking photos, is considered to be a net red café.
Ancient Laneway Cafe: Very special café with great performances, better taste than old city corners, and cheaper prices.
⛪5. Ani Pure Lamb Kebab Shop
Address: No. 184, Nobel West Road, Kashgar City
Features: Net red shop but the taste is worthy of the title of net red, tank meat, pigeon soup is the main hit! Other cuisines are also good.
⛪6. Abulimitiya Kupu Ancient Lamb Broth & Abdul Reimu Ancient Jar Meat
Address: Kashgar City Qili Bridgehead
Features: It is two shops opened by brothers, both of which are the most delicious vat meat, with a steamed bun, super delicious!
⛪7. Ellizati pilaf
Address: No. 17, Tawuguzi Road, Kashgar City
Features: The legendary Kashgar city cuisine ranked first pilaf, Kashgar people breakfast is mainly pilaf, so after 3 pm, may be sold out. Limited quantity per day, breakfast past to eat, 20 yuan of pilaf, rice can be continued casually, yogurt is also good, thin skin bun (also called Pitti manta) 3 yuan can also be. You'll love it!
⛪8. Kemerding Blue Pigeon
Address: Kashgar City, Yumlak Xiehaier Road and Seman Road intersection
Recommended: pigeon soup, pigeon noodles, sheep's trotters, stewed pigeons, recommended pigeon set 45 yuan (with sheep's trotters, pigeons, noodles, bread, soup)
⛪9. Blue Ram Kebab Shop
Address: No. 3 Kaman Road, Kashgar City
Features: Lamb skewers are particularly delicious, original, not much condiment, very tender. Oil-wrapped liver, yogurt, cold powder are good, are unanimously approved by everyone. Eggplant noodles, remember to order a portion, I especially like.
ps: The above is only the key recommended content, there are many delicacies welcome to add in the comment area.
02.
Play & Photography
There are not many places to visit around Kashgar, but the distance is not far, and if the time is tight, you can see a lot in a day.
Kashgar is the first choice of the old city, exquisite alleys, unique doors, windows and colors, complex intersecting streets, everywhere is the scenery, everywhere is life, almost every place is a large scene.
1. Atiqar Mosque:
The largest mosque in Xinjiang is also one of the very few mosques in southern Xinjiang that is open to visitors. It is in the center of the old city, the outer streets are full of people, but the inside is very quiet. If you encounter important festivals such as Eid al-Adha and The Meat Festival, the entire square will be filled with Muslims.
⛪ Address: Kashgar City Liberation North Road Atigaer Square west side
⏰ Hours: 10:30-19:30 (closed during worship hours)
Price: 45 yuan / person
2. Xiangfei Tomb (Garden):
It is the fragrant concubine in "Huan Zhu Gege", here is their family cemetery, there are explanations in the garden, and there will be a program performance. Compared with its history and culture, it seems that it is more famous as a filming location, the architecture is absolutely beautiful, the domestic rare, symmetrical structure, bright and rich colors, glazed bricks, exotic style 100%.
In addition, the tomb of Wang Supu Haas Hajip is similar to the tomb of the Fragrant Concubine, more niche, cheaper, and less human.
Taking photos in these places is recommended to go in the morning and wear national costumes or flashy costumes (not too flowery).
⛪ Address: Bus sightseeing line 1 2 yuan, taxi (more than a dozen pieces) or self-driving navigation "Xiangfei Garden".
Price: 120-200 yuan / person, if you don't like to take pictures is not very recommended to go here.
3. Opening Ceremony of the Ancient City:
When you get to Kashgar, you must go to the ancient city, but how to get to the ancient city is exquisite. Every day at 10:30 and 18:00, there is a brief opening ceremony at the east gate of the ancient city, it is recommended that you go in these two time periods, more sense of history and ceremony.
4. Township cattle and sheep grand bazaar
There are many bazaars/bazaars around Kashgar, most of which are gathered by locals, which is a concentrated embodiment of the southern Xinjiang style. Flower pot bazaar, fruit bazaar, medicinal bazaar, carpet bazaar, grain bazaar, used goods bazaar, earth pottery bazaar... Great variety. In particular, the cattle and sheep bazaar, a place that gathers livestock trading, food, humanities, antiques, farmers, handicrafts, is very lively. Coming here, it is the most Xinjiang!
In southern Xinjiang, there are still very traditional trading methods, bargaining in the sleeves, the economy is developed today, the "secrets in the sleeves" slowly disappear with the economic development, so far we have only seen the sleeve trade of cordyceps in Nyingchi, Tibet, and there are various bazaars in southern Xinjiang.
The most interesting thing about the cattle and sheep bazaar is the original bargaining method, one look, two touches, three hugs, four deals, continuing the "trade in the sleeve". In general, cattle and sheep bazaars have authentic local delicacies, full of fireworks and cheap prices, as if returning to the way of life of the last century.
⏰ Time: Generally only during the day, the most lively around 10-12 noon every day;
⛪ Recommended:
(1) On Sunday, the wasteland township in the northern suburbs of Kashgar City, next to the 314 National Highway, 7 kilometers away from the East Bazar, 30-40 yuan one-way taxi, take the 23 road in the city for half an hour.
(2) The Awati Township Market on Wednesday is the most lively at 12:00 a.m., and the stalls are generally spread out at 8:00 a.m., and the pyrotechnics of the day are opened for breakfast.
⛪ 50 km radius of Kashgar surrounding township bazaars/bazaars:
Monday: Upar Township, Shule County
Tuesday: Yapuquan Township, Shule County
Wednesday: Awati Township, Kashgar City, Braksu Township, Shule County
Thursday: Bagqi Township, Shule County, Ahachi Township
Friday: Mushi Township, Shule County
Saturday: Pashkaram Township, Kashgar City, Kashmilik Township, Shule County
Sunday: Shule County Bazaar, Kashgar City Wasteland Township Cattle and Sheep Grand Bazaar
03.
Peripheral chapters
There aren't many particularly recommended spots around Kashgar, but if you extend some distance south with Kashgar as the core, it will open the door to another world.
If you are arriving directly in Kashgar, be sure to spend two or three days to go south, take the "China-Pakistan Friendship Highway" to the Pamir Plateau, admire the snowy mountains and haizi, and appreciate the Tajik customs. If you have enough time, you can also go to the Lower Muji Crater, which requires a Banli border guard station, which is suitable for aerial photography.
1. Baisha Lake:
Next to National Highway 314 in southern Xinjiang, between Kashgar and Tashkurgan counties, there is a lake glowing with hazy love.
The white veil is ethereal, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the wind is non-stop, the ripples are not stopped, and the occasional white sand is scattered and shrouded above the lake, which is the blue wonderland in the hearts of countless people.
2. Muztagh Peak:
After passing through Baisha Lake, you can see this snow peak in the distance, which is recognized as the "father of glaciers", with hundreds of radial upside-down glaciers, an area of huge, flowing on the vast mountain, covering the entire mountain.
It is recommended to go to Karakuri Lake to see, you can see the snow-capped mountains reflected on the lake, and the photos taken are particularly pure. (Tickets here are 40 rmb)
3. Taheman Township:
A quiet Tajik village under the snow-capped mountains, with boxy houses + colorful roofs, and simple folk customs.
4. Time Tunnel:
There is a long road (about 1-2km) at the mouth of the village in Taheman Township, and the two sides of the road are planted with trees, and the dense branches and leaves will spread out into a tunnel on the road, and when the leaves are yellow in autumn, there is a feeling of a time tunnel.
5. Tajik folk customs:
The Tajiks are the only Caucasians in the country, with very high looks and great enthusiasm. In autumn, weddings are often held, which are very distinctive and will be held for three days, during which there are dances, sheep and other activities. You may not be able to meet a wedding, you can inquire about the news in Ta County in advance
6. Golden Grass Beach (Stone City):
They are on the edge of the city in Ta County, and the Golden Grass Beach is under the Stone City, and the Stone City depends on the Golden Grass Beach.
Covering an area of 20 square kilometers, Jincao Beach is a plateau wetland, rich in water and grass, cattle and sheep, blended with snowy mountains, blue sky and sunshine, and merged with stone city in autumn to become an endless golden land.
△ A place in Jincao Beach
△ Stone City Ruins
7. Panlong Ancient Road:
608 folding curves of more than 180 degrees, overlooking the entire ancient road from the top of the mountain, meandering and twisting, combined with the continuous snow-capped mountains in the distance, very spectacular!
ps: The above recommended order is the order of encounters on the road from Kashgar to Taxian.
04.
Supplement
Kashgar's charm is certainly more than that, this exotic place, there are many things that are unique, such as street homestays, rooftops, stairs and so on.
The "Supplementary Chapter" will introduce some of the more niche things and the things that are omitted or overlapping in the above chapters, opening up your more comprehensive understanding of Kashgar:
△ Kashgar Jiulong Spring Homestay
⛪1. Homestay:
Many people are attracted by kashgar homestays, the style is a mixture of Uyghur and Moroccan architecture, taking pictures has become the most prominent feature of homestays, especially around the old city, there are too many homestays can take Photos of Moroccan style. Below, we recommend three:
Kashgar Jiulong Spring Homestay:
This should be one of the hottest homestays in China, many people are attracted to Kashgar by this homestay, and the scenery on the terrace can be described as a million years.
The homestay is in the east area of the ancient city, there are three typical camera positions for taking pictures, the terrace on the third floor can overlook the entire ancient city, the ethnic blanket area on the second floor is the most classic Internet celebrity punch card, and there is a swimming pool on the second floor that is specially used for taking pictures. The accommodation conditions here can only be said to be average compared to the price of 600+ in the peak season, and those who want to take pictures can only take pictures (50 yuan), try to come as early as possible.
Yuli Sanqian Ji Homestay:
The Riad style combines tiles with regional characteristics of Kashgar, with bright colors and rich greenery. It's not far from Kowloon Spring, in good condition, and opposite is a café with a very good taste. The price is around 200-500.
Kashgar Blue Courtyard Inn:
It was remodeled on the basis of Uyghur houses, and the decoration style is mainly blue, with a unique Mediterranean style. There is also a kitchen where you can cook your own food and a bar next to it, which is convenient but sometimes a little noisy. The price is around 200, which is relatively affordable.
△ Sanqian Set Homestay
⛪2. Oyitak Glacier Park:
The previous article said that there are not many places worth recommending around Kashgar, and here is one. It is also on the way from Kashgar to Ta County, and it is also worth seeing if the time to and from Ta County is rich. If you only stop in Kashgar and can't see The Muztag Peak, it is highly recommended to visit this place.
The scenic area is very large, covered in ice and snow, but the body feeling is not so cold, the observation deck can see the main peak of the snow mountain and the black glacier, and you can also see the combination of forests, meadows and snow mountains comparable to the Alps on the road. To the observation deck, you can choose to ride a horse up the mountain (50 yuan) and hike down the mountain.
⛪3. Oyitak Red Mountain Canyon:
When you go south from Kashgar and pass through Oyitak Glacier Park, if you continue to drive forward for about 2 kilometers, stare at the small white stone monument on the side of the road, see the 1583 character number, and turn directly to the scenic spot to find this free niche secret.
The whole mountain is like a red sandstone structure, angular and dazzling red.
⛪4. City of Artush:
If you have more time, or want to visit two more cities and see more of the scenery, you can go to Artusz to see.
Artush 3000 years of style street, is the only Kyrgyz style street in Xinjiang, not only is the gathering place of Artush cuisine, but also the gathering place of culture and life, the building is full of national customs with lights, and there are many children who come here at night, and they can also take pictures with children.
△ Artush 3,000 years of style street
Artush Tianmen Grand Canyon, stone gate 457 meters, the highest natural stone arch on earth (formed by wind erosion), a particularly niche attraction, almost no tourists;
It is a mysterious and primitive Muslim pilgrimage site, towering over the mountains of Ucha County, crisscrossed by mountains, is a holy place for hiking tourism, the whole journey takes about two or three hours, there are rocks along the way, and the summit is particularly shocking.
△ Artush Tianmen Grand Canyon