Things to do in Kashgar Prefecture

The Ancient City of Kashi is probably the main attraction in the city of Kashgar, one of the most illustrious destinations along the Silk Route. By way of preservation of traditional art forms, cuisines and crafts, fashion and architecture, the ancient city offers a look into the past of this part of the region. Many travelers would consider this spot a must-visit, as an important historical site where there are a number of world intangible cultural heritage projects involving many crafts from the city's history, such as Uyghur pottery and clay-molding, and medicinal food therapy. More than just a scenic area, this ancient city is a combination of older and newer elements, and has many interesting experiences in store for visitors.

It's a very off-the-beaten-path attraction. I didn't buy a show ticket, so I just strolled around the park briefly. There were so many different kinds of flowers inside, they were really beautiful. Taking my time to look around and walk at a leisurely pace was truly delightful.

There was a staff member inside who offered free explanations every now and then. For those unfamiliar with the area, the explanations of the rugs on the walls were what truly conveyed the maker's heartfelt intentions and blessings. However, there were too many people attending prayer, and in the end, it was too hot to explore much.

Arriving at the Pamir Plateau, one truly witnesses the magnificent grandeur of western China's landscape. Starting from Kashgar and traveling along the Karakoram Highway, snow-capped mountains, lakes, and deserts unfold before your eyes in breathtaking scenery—a must-do route in southern Xinjiang. Along the way, you'll stop at White Sand Lake and Karakol Lake, facing Muztagh Ata Peak directly. The pristine snow-capped mountains reflected in the azure lakes create stunning photographs. The winding Panlong Ancient Road offers a unique and immersive experience. Along the way, you can also experience the unique culture and customs of the Tajik people—their simple and honest nature, the vast and tranquil plateau, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, a truly healing experience. This is a border region, so a border permit must be obtained in advance; without it, you will not be able to pass. The overall altitude is very high, mostly above 3000 meters, making altitude sickness a common concern. Slow down your movements and bring oxygen cylinders and glucose. The temperature difference between day and night is significant; even in summer, a thick coat and windproof jacket are essential. The ultraviolet radiation is extremely strong, so sun protection and sunglasses are a must. The scenic areas are far apart and scattered, so driving or hiring a car is more suitable. Cell phone signal is weak in some sections, so downloading offline maps is recommended. The weather on the plateau is unpredictable; one moment it's sunny and clear, and the next it can be windy and snowy. There aren't many commercial facilities, so conditions are relatively basic; those seeking comfort and relaxation should expect that. Seeing the Pamir Plateau in person makes all the travel fatigue worthwhile. For those who love natural scenery, the Pamir Plateau is definitely worth a visit.

The immersive performance, with its passionate and dedicated actors, lighting and set design perfectly complementing the scene, elevates the theme and makes it suitable for audiences of all ages. However, during peak holiday seasons, children will require parental supervision.

Shache Let's take a break and look around. Amanisha Khan looks a bit like Tsangyang Gyatso. 15 yuan, not bad value. The attraction isn't big, about an hour's visit. There's a night market nearby.

It's worth going. I'm Chinese, I'm proud, and I give a thumbs up to the soldiers guarding our border! 👍

The overall environment of the scenic area is so-so, and it operates under a commercial model... Since the scenic area is quite large, older people are advised to take the sightseeing bus. Younger people with enough time can rent bicycles, but only a small portion of the space is worth seeing!

Panlong Ancient Road, located in Wacha Township, Tashkurgan County, Kashgar Prefecture, is a renowned scenic highway on the Pamir Plateau. The 36-kilometer-long road winds its way through the Kunlun Mountains, featuring over 600 S-shaped and U-shaped bends, resembling a giant dragon lying across the landscape, hence its name. The road's altitude rises from 3000 meters to 4216 meters, a drop of over 1200 meters. Built along the contours of the mountains, the road is tightly wound and intricate, offering breathtaking views at every turn. Looking around, vast valleys, rolling hills, and distant snow-capped peaks create a magnificent panorama of the plateau. Originally a rural path, the road was paved with asphalt in 2019, greatly facilitating travel for local villagers. The slogan at the exit, "Having traversed all the winding roads today, from now on, life will be smooth sailing," imbues the road with a beautiful meaning, making it a unique and memorable destination for countless self-driving travelers.

The presence of water gives the poplar forest its soul. The weather was great, perfect for taking photos – very satisfying! Instead of the 10-yuan-per-person shuttle bus, we opted for a 20-yuan-per-person horse-drawn carriage. The horses' hooves clattered, and we could take photos along the way – nice! Unfortunately, the carriage driver didn't speak our language, the road signs were unclear, and when we arrived at the drop-off point, they told us we only had 10 minutes! A bit confused, my first thought was that there were several stops, and they were giving us 10 minutes at each one? After taking photos at the viewing pavilion, the carriage was gone! After searching around and not finding it, we gave up and just followed the crowd! Later, we learned that both the carriages and the shuttle bus stopped at the food court, with only one boarding and one alighting point – not multiple stops as I had imagined (I didn't ride the shuttle bus, so I can't comment on the number of stops). There were also electric boats at the food court that could take you to the deer antler camp for a ride, but unfortunately, we couldn't agree among our companions and didn't take one – a pity! Although the horse-drawn carriage was still waiting for us there, I was worried about the ceiling the whole time, afraid it would leave before we got back, haha ​​😂. When we came out, I complained to the ticket window, "I came all this way, and you only give me 10 minutes for the carriage? What's the meaning of that?" I understand the carriage driver is in a hurry and wants to earn more money, but you can schedule the carriages, instead of having the same carriage for both ways. I don't know if they understood, but they didn't reply. Here's a panoramic view of the scenic area; only about a third is open now! In conclusion, the scenery is beautiful, but a reminder: if you're going to see a 3,000-year-old poplar forest 😀, don't expect every tree to have leaves 😛.