A free-and-easy trip to Kashgar is an excellent experience to explore the customs and natural beauty of southern Xinjiang. Here is a detailed Kashgar free-and-easy travel guide:
Transportation Guide
Airplane: You can fly directly to Kashgar Airport, as there are direct flights from many domestic cities, which is very convenient.
After leaving the airport, the taxi fare to the old city is approximately 20-30 yuan.
Train: Taking the train to Kashgar is also a good choice. Kashgar is the terminus of the Southern Xinjiang Railway, and the taxi fare from the railway station to the old city is about 10-15 yuan.
Self-driving: If you have plenty of time and want to freely admire the scenery along the way, self-driving is a great choice. However, southern Xinjiang is vast and the distances are far, so plan ahead and ensure your vehicle is in good condition.
Itinerary Recommendations
Kashgar City Tours
Day 1: Visit Kashgar Ancient City, the cultural center of Kashgar, showcasing family life, ethnic customs, traditional handicrafts, and flavorful cuisine. You can stroll through the labyrinthine alleys and feel the most charming Central Asian ambiance.
At the same time, you can visit attractions such as Id Kah Mosque, Century-old Teahouse, and Grand Bazaar.
Day 2: Continue exploring Kashgar city by visiting places such as Xiangfei Garden and Craftsman Street to experience more of Kashgar’s culture and history. In the evening, why not go to Kashgar Night Market to taste local cuisine?
Surrounding Scenic Spot Tours
Day 3: Depart from Kashgar to visit Baishahu Lake, Karakul Lake, and Mount Muztagh Ata. Baishahu Lake is a perfect combination of sand and lake. The lake water shines milk-white under sunshine, and the surrounding white sand is as fine as powder, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Mount Muztagh Ata is known as the "Father of Glaciers", towering and with snow-capped peaks all year round.
Day 4: Head to Taxkorgan County to visit scenic spots such as Stone City and Golden Grass Beach. If time permits, you can also take a walk on the盘龙 Gu Dao (Dragon Coiled Road), which winds like a huge dragon among the mountains and is very spectacular.
Day 5: Depending on your schedule, you can choose to continue exploring Taxkorgan County or return to Kashgar to end your trip. If you return to Kashgar, you can visit places such as Gaotai Residential Area and Kashgar Museum.
Accommodation Recommendations
There are many hotels to choose from in Kashgar city. It is recommended to stay at a hotel near the ancient city, so you can walk to the ancient city scenic area, which is very convenient.
Boman International Hotel (Kashgar Ancient City Branch) is a good choice, just 300 meters’ walk to the ancient city. The facilities are new, clean, and hygienic.
Food Recommendations
Kashgar is abundant in delicious food. Be sure to taste local specialties such as hand-grabbed rice and naan-baked meat. The hand-grabbed rice at Dawaihezhajua Rice Restaurant and the naan-baked meat at Tugongyang Grilled Meat Sales Shop are both worth trying.
At Kashgar Night Market, you can find various delicious snacks such as roasted buns, mutton skewers, yogurt, etc., all of which are delicious must-tries.
Precautions
There is a large time difference in Kashgar, so please adjust your schedule accordingly.
When self-driving, pay attention to road conditions and speed monitoring points to ensure driving safety.
When visiting scenic spots, respect local customs and religious beliefs.
I hope this Kashgar free-and-easy travel guide can be helpful for your trip!