Kashgar Travel Guide: Beat the Crowds & Explore the Old City

Sure, you've seen photos of Kashgar's colorful bazaars and minarets. But no picture captures the chaos of your first 10 minutes here. I've been leading travelers through this Silk Road city for over a decade, and I still get lost — in the best way possible. This Kashgar travel guide is my honest, no-fluff advice to help you skip the rookie mistakes and truly experience the old town like a local. Here's the catch: most first-timers try to see everything in one day and end up exhausted, missing the city's soul. So let's slow down and plan smart.

Kashgar Travel Guide: The Essential Pre-Trip Checklist

Before you book that flight, let's tackle the logistics that trip up more tourists than anything else.

Visa and Permits for Foreigners

You'll need a valid Chinese visa before arriving. Kashgar is in China's Xinjiang region, and while the city itself is open, some neighboring areas (like Tajikistan border towns) require special military permits. To be safe, stick to Kashgar city and its immediate surroundings unless you have a licensed guide.

Once in China, you're required to register with the local police within 24 hours — but don't stress. Your hotel will do this automatically when you check in. If you're staying in a guesthouse, remind the owner to register your passport. I've seen travelers get fined because their guesthouse forgot.

Payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay Are Your Best Friends

Cash is nearly useless in Kashgar — most stalls and even some restaurants won't accept it. I've watched helpless tourists with fistfuls of yuan get turned away from food stalls. Before you arrive, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your international credit card. In Kashgar, even elderly vegetable sellers have a QR code.

If you can't get Alipay set up, visit a Bank of China and withdraw cash — but you'll need it for big purchases only. Always carry a backup 200 yuan in small bills for emergencies.

Navigation: Why Google Maps Will Fail You

Google Maps doesn't work in China — it'll show blank roads or wrong locations. Instead, download Apple Maps (which works decently) or the Amap Global app. Even better: ask your hotel to write down the Chinese address of your destination. Show it to a taxi driver or, if using Didi (China's Uber), type it directly into the app.

In the Old City, be prepared to get lost. The alleys look identical. My advice: drop a pin on your hotel's map before you wander, and memorize the name of the main gate — the East Gate (Dongmen) is your anchor.

Language and VPN

English is rarely spoken outside hotels in Kashgar. Download a translation app like Apple Translate or Baidu Translate, and save offline packs. For any app or service blocked on Chinese networks, you'll need a reliable VPN installed before you arrive — because your home apps (including Google, Facebook, WhatsApp) simply won't work without it.

A simple "Where is the toilet?" in Chinese is "Cesuo zai nali?" — you'll use it a lot. Trust me.

Best Time to Visit Kashgar

The sweet spot is late April to early June, and September to early October. Summers are scorching, winters are freezing, and the famous Sunday Bazaar happens year-round. If you want to experience the fruit season, plan for August — the melons and pomegranates from the bazaar are incredible.

What to Pack

• Earplugs (for the call to prayer)
• Light scarf for covering shoulders when entering religious sites
• Hand sanitizer (some bathroom situations are rustic)
• Small bills for the bazaar

How to Get to Kashgar and Get Around

Getting to Kashgar is an adventure in itself. Here are your options, plus how to move once you're here.

By Air

Kashgar Airport (KHG) has daily flights from Urumqi (about 2 hours) and a few direct flights from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. I usually fly into Urumqi and connect — it's cheaper and more flexible. Tickets are easy to book on Trip.com, and the English interface is a lifesaver.

From the airport to the Old City, a taxi costs roughly 30-50 yuan — don't be shocked if drivers ask for more late at night. Insist on the meter.

By Train

The high-speed rail network now connects Kashgar to Urumqi, but it's a long 12-hour ride. For a smoother experience, consider the overnight sleeper — it saves on hotel costs and gives you a taste of local travel. Book train tickets on 12306.cn (the official site), but note that foreigners need their passport number and a .cn account. Trip.com is your friend here.

The train station is about 5km west of the Old City. Taxis wait outside, but agree on the fare before hopping in — 20 yuan is fair.

Local Transport: Taxis, Didi, and Buses

Didi (the Chinese Uber) is the cheapest way to get around, but you'll need a Chinese phone number and Alipay linked. If that's a hassle, hailing a taxi is fine. Public buses are painfully confusing in Kashgar — the routes are in Chinese only. I always tell my clients to use taxis or Didi, and to walk as much as possible in the Old City.

What Are the Top Kashgar Attractions and How to Beat the Crowds?

These are the must-sees, but the key is *when* you visit them. I've spent years refining these routes.

Id Kah Mosque

Id Kah Mosque is the largest mosque in China outside the rest of Xinjiang, and it still serves the local community. Located in the heart of the Old City, it's a peaceful oasis that gets overcrowded by 11 AM. Go at 8 AM when the faithful leave after morning prayers — you'll have the courtyard almost to yourself.

• Address: Jiefang Road, Kashgar Old City (解放路, 喀什古城)
• Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00-20:00 (but prayer times may close it temporarily)
• Ticket: 20 yuan for foreigners (locals pray for free)
• Tip: Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered. No shorts for women.

Kashgar Old City (Koxan)

Kashgar's Old City is the largest intact mud-brick labyrinth in Central Asia — expect to get lost. This is where the magic lives. Enter via the East Gate (Dongmen) to avoid the tourist-trap souvenir shops near the main square. Spend at least half a day weaving through alleys, observing metalworkers, and sipping tea at a rooftop café.

My favorite unexpected spot: a small pottery courtyard tucked behind the Grand Bazaar — no sign, just follow your nose and the sound of spinning wheels.

No ticket is required for the Old City itself. Some mini-museums inside charge small fees.

Apak Hoja Tomb (Fragrant Concubine's Tomb)

This exquisite blue-tiled mausoleum is 5km northeast of the city, and its dome is more ornate than anything in the Old City. It's a 15-minute taxi ride (25 yuan). Many travelers skip it because it's outside the center, but I think it's worth a visit — especially at sunset when the tiles glow orange.

Sunday Bazaar (Yengi Bazaar)

You haven't seen Kashgar until you've navigated the Sunday Bazaar. It's a throwback to the Silk Road — horses, spices, carpets, and live livestock. It happens every Sunday, with the animal market peaking at 9 AM. Arrive by 8:30 to see the chaos before the heat hits.

Pro tip: Do NOT ride one of the horse-drawn carts near the animal market unless you've agreed on the price beforehand. I've seen tourists handed a 200-yuan bill for a 10-minute ride.

The bazaar is free, and it's easy to spend four hours browsing. Bring small bills for food and souvenirs.

A 24-Hour Kashgar Itinerary

If you're squeezed for time, here's exactly how I would spend one day.

1. 07:30 — Start at Id Kah Mosque (before the crowds).
2. 09:00 — Wander the Old City, ending at the East Gate.
3. 12:00 — Lunch at Yusupjan's (try the polo).
4. 14:00 — Taxi to Apak Hoja Tomb (take the interior route through the park).
5. 17:00 — Sunset photos at the Old City walls.
6. 19:00 — Dinner at the Grand Bazaar food court.

This itinerary assumes you're not visiting on a Sunday, because the market will steal your whole day.

Kashgar Food Guide: What to Eat and Where to Find It

Food in Kashgar is Middle Eastern meets Chinese — think kebabs, nan, and pilaf. Here's where to go.

Classic Dishes You Can't Miss

• Lamb Pilaf (polo) — I prefer the version from a cart near the Grand Bazaar; it's rich, oily, and topped with a whole garlic clove.
• Uyghur Kebab — spiced lamb skewers cooked over charcoal. Look for places with meat hanging in the window.
• Naan — fresh from the tandoor. The sesame variety is my favorite.
• Samosa — flaky pastry filled with beef and onion, sold at street stalls.

Restaurants I Personally Recommend

Yusupjan's Restaurant (Address: 100m west of the Id Kah Mosque, on the alley with the blue sign) — order the polo and chai. It's a simple place, but the flavor is exceptional. A filling meal costs 30 yuan. It gets busy at 1 PM; you'll wait 15 minutes.

Grand Bazaar Food Court — this open-air court has a dozen stalls. My favorite is seller No. 7, who makes an amazing spiced chicken nan. Expect lines right after Friday prayers.

Regarding payments: Most restaurants accept Alipay or WeChat Pay, but not cards. Cash works too, but you'll get change in yuan. Some places have English menus, but many only have pictures — just point and smile.

Vegetarian and Special Dietary Needs

Vegetarianism is tricky in Kashgar — meat is king. However, you can find veggie samosas (samsa), fresh nan, and tomato-egg dishes. At restaurants, say "Wo chi su" (I eat vegetarian). I always point to the egg dishes or the vegetable pilaf. For halal or vegan, most spots are halal by default, but vegan options are scarce — bring protein bars if you're strict.

How to Choose the Perfect Stay in Kashgar?

Where you sleep can make or break your trip. Here's my breakdown by traveler type.

I always tell my clients to stay within the Old City for at least one night. The magic of waking up to the smell of naan baking and the sound of bazaar bustle is worth it. But know that guesthouses often lack soundproofing — bring earplugs (the 5 AM call to prayer is not optional).

For solo female travelers, I recommend hotel options over hostels, as the Old City guesthouses can be too remote at night. The Hotel De Paris (near the East Gate) is a safe bet with 24/7 reception.

Kashgar Travel FAQ

Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.