Visiting Kashgar, Xinjiang, in November is a great choice. At this time, autumn is in full swing, with trees in the city and surrounding areas turning yellow, which contrasts beautifully with the ancient city’s architecture, creating a unique charm. Here are some detailed travel suggestions:
Recommended Main Attractions
Kashgar Old Town: Every corner of the Old Town is filled with mystery and vitality, making it an excellent place to experience Uyghur traditional culture. It is recommended to spend two days exploring it if you have enough time. The opening ceremony is held twice a day, at 10:00 (or 10:30) and 18:00, and it is lively and bustling.
. The buildings, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine within the Old Town all carry rich historical and cultural connotations.
Wensu Grand Canyon: The red rocks here are like fire, making it difficult for vegetation to grow. Red cliffs and stone pillars and peaks in various shapes abound, forming a unique Danxia geological landscape in western China.
Karakul Lake: A beautiful lake on the Pamir Plateau, located at an altitude of 3,600 meters and surrounded by ice mountains, offering breathtaking scenery of lakes and mountains.
Mount Muztagh Ata: Known as the ‘Father of Ice Mountains’, glaciers are hidden along National Highway 314, with several main attractions such as Sites 1, 2, and 3 for visitors to explore.
Food Experience
In Kashgar, be sure to try traditional delicacies such as grilled mutton skewers, baked naan, hand-grabbed rice, and baked stuffed buns. You can also visit the Hetian Night Market or specialty restaurants within the Old Town to taste various Xinjiang specialties, such as the hand-grabbed rice at Ailizhati Restaurant and the meat naan and baked stuffed buns at Aileremu Restaurant.
Accommodation Suggestions
Kashgar offers a variety of accommodation options. Within the Old Town, there are特色民宿 where you can experience the atmosphere of the ancient city. Hotels in the urban area are conveniently located and well-equipped. November is the off-season, so prices are more affordable. Hotels with underfloor heating are especially cozy choices in winter.
Transportation Guide
Within the city, you can travel by bus or taxi. The bus fare is 2 yuan per ride, and a taxi ride from the airport to the city center costs less than 30 yuan based on the meter. If you want to travel freely, renting a car is also a good choice.
To get to Kashgar, you can take a direct flight or train. Currently, cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and Xi’an offer direct flights to Kashgar Airport.
Travel Tips
Prepare warm clothing such as cotton-padded jackets, winter coats, leather jackets, etc., and also bring hats, scarves, gloves, and other cold-weather gear.
Kashgar has a dry climate, so it is important to drink plenty of water and use moisturizing skincare products to prevent skin dryness and chapped lips.
In November, the sunshine duration in Kashgar is relatively shortened, but the ultraviolet rays are still strong. Sunscreen measures should be taken, such as applying sunscreen lotion and wearing sunglasses.
To visit areas such as the Pamir Plateau, you need to obtain a border pass and carry identification documents with you as inspections may be conducted at any time.
In addition, you can plan your itinerary based on your own time and interests, such as a 2-day tour of Kashgar Baishahu Lake or a 5-day tour of Southern Xinjiang.
. In short, a trip to Kashgar in November will bring you an unforgettable dream of the Western Regions.
