Kashgar Old City
喀什古城 · Kashgar, Xinjiang, China
A 2,000-year-old Silk Road hub, with everyday Western Regions life in its maze of lanes.
Know before you go
- Don't photograph worshippers at prayer, and always ask before photographing people
- respect Ramadan and other religious customs
- observe basic courtesy and don't ask about sensitive topics.
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Kashgar has more than 2,000 years of history as a city and was a key junction of the northern and southern routes of the Silk Road. Its old city is a web of lanes lined with earthen buildings and tiers of houses on the high terraces, and the city-opening ceremony recreates a Silk Road welcome. The Id Kah Mosque at the city centre, founded in 1442, is the largest mosque in Xinjiang and a nationally protected monument.
Local customs
- Uyghurs are warm hosts, always serving naan, milk tea and fruit
- the Sunday bazaar is a snapshot of Silk Road trade. In century-old teahouses, old men drink brick tea and chat — a window onto daily life in Kashgar
- polo (pilaf), samsa and lamb kebabs are richly flavoured.
Religion & beliefs
- Islam is the main local faith: dress appropriately in mosques (cover shoulders and knees
- women bring a headscarf)
- visitors may not enter during prayers
- keep quiet inside and don't walk in front of people praying.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: China travel advice
Don’t DON'T
- Don't photograph worshippers at prayer, and always ask before photographing people
- respect Ramadan and other religious customs
- observe basic courtesy and don't ask about sensitive topics.
Locals appreciate DO
- Locals love milk tea and tandoor-roasted lamb and like to gather in teahouses to listen to muqam
- Uyghurs are gifted singers and dancers, and the meshrep at weddings is joyful.
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The core of the old city is free, with combined tickets for some sights
- summer sun is strong and the days and nights differ greatly in temperature, so bring sun protection and a jacket
- mosque opening times change with prayer times, so follow notices on site
- a local guide can take you deeper into the lanes and to craft workshops.
Eat nearby
What to eat nearby
Must-try
- Baked buns (samsa)
- Gangzi rou (lamb stewed in enamel mugs)
- Tandoor-roasted lamb (nangkeng rou)
Samsa (lamb buns baked in a tandoor), gangzi rou (lamb stewed in an enamel mug, with naan), nangpit (large chunks of lamb roasted in a tandoor), polo (pilaf with carrot and lamb), red-willow kebabs
| Where to eat | The old-town night market, around the Id Kah Mosque, the area of the century-old teahouse |
|---|---|
| Dining etiquette | The population is mainly Muslim: food is halal, pork is avoided and drinking in public is inappropriate; keep a low profile when eating by day during Ramadan; dress appropriately to enter mosques |
| Typical price per person | CNY 40–80 |
| Tips | People keep late hours, many shops close at midday, and the evening market is liveliest; order kebabs by the skewer, with naan and tea. |
Prices are typical rates as of October 2026, not exact quotes; CNY equivalents are approximate where exchange rates fluctuate.
Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos
Photos
w0zny · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Radosław Botev · CC BY 3.0 pl
Radosław Botev · CC BY 3.0 pl
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