Ancient City of Kashi(Kashgar Old Town, Ancient City of Kashgar)

The Ancient City of Kashi is located in the center of Kashgar City. Known in ancient times as Shule, it was an important trading port on the ancient Silk Road, boasts a history of over 2,000 years, and is one of the best-preserved labyrinthine districts in the ancient Western Regions style in China. The movie "The Kite Runner" was filmed here, and the earthy yellow rooftops where children ran chasing kites in the film are just ordinary street scenes of the ancient city. Unlike most attractions, the ancient city is still inhabited by residents today, with Atlas silk drying in the sun and seniors playing chess at the alley entrances, creating a vibrant atmosphere of daily life everywhere.

The essence of the ancient town lies in its streets and alleys. Centered around the square in front of the Id Kah Mosque, over twenty crisscrossing lanes feature earth-yellow walls, carved wooden doors, arched windows, and overhead bridges, sketching a classic Central Asian streetscape. Along the approx. 600 m-long Arheyah Road, bazaars like the Flowerpot Bazaar, Kettmen Bazaar (Blacksmith Street), Doppa Bazaar, and Uyghur Medicine Bazaar unfold one after another—"bazaar" means market in Uyghur. Bread bakers, potters, and woodturners often craft their wares right at their shopfronts, allowing visitors to watch the process while strolling. The adjacent Kumdarwaza Road, also called Artisan Street, gathers traditional workshops for musical instruments, copperware, and more. When tired, stop by the century-old teahouse on Ostangboyi Road for a pot of tea, paired with street views and the Maixirap folk dances of regular patrons.

The morning gate-opening ceremony at the east gate is the first stop for many travelers. After watching the welcome dance performance, stroll slowly inward along the main street. Rainbow Lane, Cloth Bag Lane, and the Hanging Gardens are popular photo spots, but expect narrow alleys and crowds requiring patient queuing. In fact, turning into lesser-known side lanes often leads to quieter corners perfect for photos. Kashgar operates on a roughly two-hour time difference from inland China, with late sunsets. The slanting evening light on adobe walls creates ideal photo conditions, and it's never too late to visit Han Bazaar Food Street at night for baked buns, stewed meat in jars, and hand-churned ice cream.

If time permits, the ancient dwellings on the high cliff east of the old town are worth a visit, featuring clusters of traditional earthen houses built along the cliff; across the Tuman River, the grand bazaar is packed with stalls selling dried fruits and atlas silk, offering a glimpse into the enduring bazaar tradition.