Gaotai Residences in Kashgar tourism is a treasure trove filled with historical charm and Uyghur flavor, a must-visit destination for Kashgar tourism.?
Gaotai Residences are located at the northeastern end of the old city of Kashgar, Xinjiang, a Uyghur settlement built on a loess cliff more than 40 meters high and over 800 meters long, with a history of 600 years. The houses here are built along the cliff, layered and well-organized. Houses made of earth and wood, or brick and wood have withstood the test of time for hundreds of years and remain sturdy and durable, forming a unique architectural style. The alleys are winding and narrow, extending in all directions, resembling a huge maze. The widest alley is no more than 6 meters, while the narrowest allows only one person to pass sideways. The ground is paved with bricks and stones, worn smooth and textured by the passage of time.?
Gaotai Residences currently house over 600 households, all of which are Uyghur. Their way of life and customs impart a strong Uyghur flavor. Visitors can see residents wearing traditional Uyghur clothing, weaving through the alleys, or basking in the sunshine and chatting at their doorsteps. Their kind smiles and enthusiastic invitations to take photos with tourists, offering props, make people feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage.?
In addition, many ancient earthenware pottery workshops and other handicraft workshops have been preserved within Gaotai Residences. These workshops are important venues for transmitting Uyghur traditional handicraft skills. Visitors can witness the production process of earthenware and other handicrafts here and feel the charm of Uyghur traditional handicrafts.?
Gaotai Residences not only attract tourists with their unique architectural style and residents’ lives, but also are renowned for their rich historical and cultural heritage. Here, numerous old houses and mosques with histories spanning several hundred years have been preserved, serving as a concentrated exhibition area for the intangible cultural heritage of Kashgar’s Old City. Visitors can sense the strong historical and cultural atmosphere of Kashgar here and learn about the history and culture of the Uyghur people.?
In short, Kashgar’s Gaotai Residences are a rare tourist attraction. Whether for taking photos or experiencing local culture, it is a great destination worth visiting.?