Kashgar

Kashgar completely stole my heart. I arrived alone and a bit nervous, but within hours I was sitting in a crowded tea house, sharing pomegranate juice and fresh nan with people I’d just met. Someone played the dutar, and an old man taught me the rules of a local chess game. The old town feels like a labyrinth, but locals kept walking me back to the right alley and laughing with me. The Bazaar was fun, but the real magic was just watching the sunset turn the rooftops orange while kids ran home from school. This city is a true gem.

As a photographer, I could have spent a whole week just in the old streets west of Id Kah. Morning light on the earth-brick houses was magical; kids were kicking a football down the lane, old men in doppas were sipping tea outside doorways. I joined a guided walk to understand the history properly, and it was worth every yuan. People were okay with photos as long as I asked first, and most actually seemed pleased. Just bring wet wipes — the dust gets absolutely everywhere. An unforgettable place.

Absolutely blown away by Kashgar! The Old City feels like a living museum, with apricot trees leaning over the alleys and the smell of naan and grilled meat drifting everywhere. I wandered into a tiny copper workshop where an old Uyghur craftsman was hammering a jug; he smiled, let me try, and insisted on giving me a small spoon as a gift. The Sunday livestock market is pure chaos — dusty, loud, wonderful. Don’t miss the huge bowls of laghman noodles there. I’ve travelled a lot in Central Asia, and Kashgar is like nothing else. I’m already planning a return trip.

Kashgar genuinely surprised me. I booked a small guesthouse inside the Old City and walking out each morning into those sun-drenched mud-brick lanes felt amazing. The evening atmosphere around Id Kah Mosque was lovely, and the skewers of lamb from a tiny stall were incredible. I’m not giving five stars because we got lost several times due to the confusing map names, and one tea glass in a café had a chipped edge. Still, the locals were generous and the city has so much character. I’d definitely recommend it.

Maybe I came with too-high expectations after seeing so many beautiful photos. The Old City is definitely picturesque in patches, but honestly a lot of it felt set up for tourists, and several side alleys were blocked off for renovation work. A few locals were warm and friendly, but others were really pushy with their goods. The Sunday market was fascinating in a chaotic way, though the hygiene around some of the food stalls had me hesitating. Worth a short visit, but for me two days in Kashgar were enough.