Ancient City of Kashgar(Kashgar Old Town)

The Ancient City of Kashgar, located in Xinjiang with a history of several hundred years, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Kashgar and even Xinjiang. Most buildings in the ancient city are full of distinctive charm, with crisscrossing streets and a unified architectural style, making it perfect for photography. Visitors strolling through the area will feel as if they've stepped into the exotic world of Central Asia, experiencing a truly magnificent atmosphere. Additionally, this was a key filming location for the movie *The Kite Runner*, allowing visitors to discover familiar scenes from the film.

The attraction is centered around the Id Kah Mosque, forming an irregularly shaped urban area approximately 2 km in both length and width. The old city features numerous alleys perfect for leisurely strolls, sightseeing, and photography—a half-day visit is usually sufficient. The recommended route starts with exploring the Id Kah Mosque, then heading east along Qiasa Road until reaching the Gaotai Folk Houses and Kashgar East Bazaar. Many visitors choose to stay within the old city for several days to fully immerse themselves in its historic charm.

Exploring the ancient town means savoring its distinctive architecture and streets. Most of the current buildings have been renovated, making them relatively new and well-preserved, yet they still retain rich local charm. Along the way, you'll see colorful earthen and brick walls adorned with features like arches and vibrant doors and windows—perfect for photography. For a more authentic experience of traditional architecture, you can also visit the elevated riverside dwellings east of the ancient town.

In addition to appreciating the architecture, many visitors also explore the unique shops along the ancient city streets. Nearly every street in the old town has its own distinctive theme.A bazaar called Bazaar("Bazaar" refers to a market in Uyghur). Among them are the Kettuman Bazaar (Blacksmith Street), Dopa Bazaar (Flower Hat Street), Flowerpot Bazaar, Handicrafts Bazaar, and Pottery Bazaar, each with its own unique charm to admire along the way. The streets also feature charming teahouses with local character, as well as vendors selling specialty snacks like grapes, naan bread, and goat milk ice cream—perfect for leisurely snacking while you explore.

Additionally, there are some residential homes in the city that welcome visitors. These homes usually have signs at the entrance, and once inside, you can tour typical local interiors. However, it's customary to purchase a small item from the household. Along the old town streets, you'll also spot elderly gentlemen leisurely sunbathing and children playing, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life.

While exploring the ancient city, don't miss several key attractions. The Id Kah Mosque, one of China's largest Islamic places of worship, features magnificent architecture and hosts five daily prayer sessions that showcase profound religious devotion. On the eastern side, the Gaotai Ancient Residential Area preserves traditional mud-brick houses and unique over-street buildings. Across the river to the east lies Kashgar's famous Central and West Asia International Trade Market (Kashgar Dongbazaar), a bustling marketplace offering Xinjiang specialties like dried fruits, silk products, essential oils, and the renowned Yingjisha knives among other local handicrafts.

Recommended spots

✅ Sky Garden, panoramic map of the ancient city, That Slow Homestay (Ancient City of Kashgar branch), Flowerpot Bazaar, Jiulongquan Cultural Tourism Block, Blue Arch, Guli's Homestay (Ancient City of Kashgar branch), Xinjiang Century-Old Handmade Ice Cream, Senlu Travel Photography, Tuna Coffee Bar, Id Kah Mosque, Sahiya Community Oil Bazaar Mosque, Old Town Aishan Yushan Handmade Wooden Art Exhibition, Oil Painting Street, Rainbow Alley in Ancient City of Kashgar, Cloth Bag Alley, Grandpa's Grandpa's Dad's Naan.