City Info: Kashgar, Xinjiang Autonomous Region

China's westernmost city is unlike any other place in China. Indeed, Kashgar seems more a part of Central Asia than of the People's Republic of China. Kashgar lies 665 miles southwest of Urumqi, a mere 80 miles east of the Russian border. The majority of the population here is Uygur, intermixed with Tadzhiks, Uzbeks, and Han Chinese. The fabled city of Kashgar hosted Marco Polo and countless Silk Road traders upon their entry to the Middle Kingdom. While its previous glory as a trading capital has disappeared, Kashgar retains the exotic air and immense appeal of medieval Asia.

Despite its earlier role as a meeting point for Buddhists monks and craftsmen, the city is now thoroughly Islamic in character, little touched by Chinese attempts at modernization. In May 1986, when the Karakoram Highway was opened, Kashgar once more became an important city for foreign travellers between China and South Asia.

Population
600,000

Cuisine
Moslem diet like mutton, shish kebabs, dried cheese, fermented milk and fried bread

When to Go
Avoid winter and early spring, summer is warm and fall weather is good

Airport Info
Kashgar Airport is 10 km north of town.
By taxi: CNY 20-25/USD 2.5-3 per taxi

Accommodations

Main Scenic Spots

Excursion from Kashgar
- Karakoram Highway & Karakul Lake

Official Websites
(only in Chinese version)
- Xinjiang Municipal Government