Because it's too beautiful!!!
Kashgar 3-Day 2-Night Deep Exploration | Local Insider's Guide
New to Southern Xinjiang and want to experience the most authentic local culture in limited time? This carefully designed 3-day 2-night Kashgar travel guide helps you avoid crowds and immerse yourself in the charm of the Western Regions. Pack your bags and let's go!
Transportation Guide
Train
Departing from Urumqi, taking the train to Kashgar Station allows you to leisurely enjoy the Gobi Desert scenery along the way, which is a unique travel experience.
Flight
Nowadays, there are direct flights to Kashgar Airport from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an and other cities, greatly reducing travel time. After landing, it's very convenient to take a taxi to the city center or rent a car for a self-driving tour. You can also fly to Urumqi first, then transfer by plane or car to Kashgar.
Must-Visit Attractions
Cultural Heritage Sites
- Kashgar Old City: This thousand-year-old city is the soul of Kashgar. Not only is it a filming location for "The Kite Runner," but also a living folk museum. Walking through the winding alleys, you'll see earth-colored buildings arranged in a picturesque manner, exquisite wooden carvings on doors and windows, and colorful decorative tiles, each telling a historical story. Local residents live leisurely here, and you can visit a century-old teahouse, enjoy a cup of milk tea, and listen to Uyghur elders playing the rewap, experiencing the peaceful passage of time.
- Gaotai Residences: Adjacent to Kashgar Old City, this is a Uyghur residential area with houses built along cliffs, stacked layer upon layer, creating a unique architectural style. Although some areas are temporarily closed for safety reasons, you can still appreciate the distinctive architectural features and rich cultural atmosphere from the periphery.
Natural Landscapes
- Muztagh Glacier Park: The majestic Muztagh Peak, known as the "Father of Ice Mountains," stands tall with Karakul Lake at its foot, creating a perfect harmony. The crystal-clear blue lake reflects the snowy mountains, like a fairyland. Here, you can admire the magnificent glaciers up close and experience nature's masterpiece.
- White Sand Lake: White sand surrounds emerald green water, with snow-capped mountains in the distance, creating a pure and breathtaking landscape. Under the sunshine, the white sand and lake water complement each other beautifully, making every photo look professional.
- Panlong Ancient Road: This short mountain road of just a few dozen kilometers has over 600 bends, like a giant dragon coiled among the mountains. Driving on this road gives you a thrilling experience with different scenery at every turn. The view from above is truly spectacular.
- Taheman Wetland: This is a plateau wetland with lush grass and herds of cattle and sheep in summer. In autumn, the golden meadows form a beautiful picture with distant snow-capped mountains and blue skies with white clouds. The meandering rivers in the wetland glisten under the sunlight, like the veins of the earth.
- Oytagh Red Mountain: The unique red mountain shines brilliantly under the sunlight, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding green vegetation, as if entering a fantasy world. The rich textures and color variations of the mountain make it a paradise for photographers.
- Tasha Ancient Road: A road full of historical charm and mystical colors, following the Yarkand River. Along the way, you can enjoy diverse natural scenery including canyons, snow-capped mountains, and oases, as well as visit ancient villages and experience primitive lifestyles.
Historical Relics
- Stone City: The ruins of the capital of Qiepantuo, one of the thirty-six states of the Western Regions. Although only broken walls remain, you can still feel its past glory and vicissitudes. Standing on the city wall and looking at the surrounding snow-capped mountains and grasslands, it's like traveling back to the Western Regions a thousand years ago.
- Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves: One of the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in China, with exquisite murals showcasing the charm of ancient Buddhist art. The murals are rich in content and vibrant in color, recording Buddhist stories and scenes of social life at that time, making them an important treasure for studying ancient culture and art.
3-Day Pamir In-Depth Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Kashgar - Kashgar Old City - Oytagh Red Mountain - White Sand Lake - Muji Township
- In the early morning, walk into Kashgar Old City with the first ray of sunlight and feel the awakening of the ancient city. Explore the bustling bazaar, select exquisite handicrafts, and taste local specialty breakfasts like baked buns and milk tea.
- Then drive to Oytagh Red Mountain to admire the unique red mountain landscape.
- Arrive at White Sand Lake in the afternoon, be deeply attracted by the pure scenery, and take plenty of photos.
- Head to Muji Township before dusk, where the volcanic crater is a great wonder. Enjoy the spectacular sunset and feel the magic of nature. Stay overnight in Muji Township and gaze at the starry sky.
Day 2: Muji Township - Muztagh Glacier Park - Taheman Wetland - Golden Grassland - Stone City - Tashkurgan
- Set off early to Muztagh Glacier Park, get close to the "Father of Ice Mountains," and stroll along Karakul Lake.
- Then visit Taheman Wetland to enjoy its beautiful scenery.
- In the afternoon, head to the Golden Grassland, where green grass, distant snow-capped mountains, and Stone City create a charming landscape.
- Explore Stone City and learn about its long history and culture. Stay overnight in Tashkurgan County.
Day 3: Tashkurgan - Panlong Ancient Road - Bandir Blue Lake - Karakul Lake - Kashgar
- Challenge the Panlong Ancient Road in the early morning, experiencing the feeling that "after walking all the winding roads today, life's path will be smooth from now on."
- Then head to Bandir Blue Lake, where the water shows a charming blue color, like a jewel embedded among the mountains.
- Finally arrive at Karakul Lake, once again enjoying the perfect combination of snow-capped mountains and lake water, before returning to Kashgar to end the pleasant journey.
Culinary Feast
- Roasted Lamb: How could you miss the crispy outside, tender inside, aromatic roasted lamb in Kashgar! Fresh lamb marinated with secret spices, slowly roasted over charcoal fire, sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, juicy and flavorful with every bite.
- Nang Pit Meat: Large pieces of lamb roasted in a nang pit, this unique cooking method makes the lamb skin golden and crispy while keeping the inside tender and flavorful. Paired with onions to cut through the richness.
- Pilaf: Carrots, lamb, and rice stewed together, golden in color and fragrant. The savory lamb flavor infuses the rice, with added raisins and other dried fruits, creating a rich taste and nutritious meal.
- Baked Buns: Crispy outside and flavorful inside, the thin dough wraps chopped lamb, onions, and other fillings, baked in a nang pit. When you take a bite, the meat aroma spreads.
- Pottery Pot Meat: Lamb soup stewed in small pottery pots, with rich broth and tender meat. Eaten with nang bread, it warms both stomach and heart.
- Liangpi (Cold Noodles): Kashgar's liangpi has a smooth texture, served with unique sauce, chili oil, and various toppings, tangy and spicy, perfect for summer heat relief.
- Pomegranate Juice: Freshly squeezed pomegranate, bright in color, sweet and sour in taste, rich in vitamin C, refreshing and healthy.
Helpful Travel Tips
1. ID Card: Always carry your ID card as it's required for many places in Xinjiang, including scenic spots, hotel check-ins, etc.
2. Food Experience: Kashgar's bazaars offer various foods. Besides nang bread, try freshly grilled lamb skewers and sweet fruits. But eat in moderation to avoid stomach discomfort.
3. Luggage: You may need to move around frequently during your trip, so travel light with only necessary items to reduce burden.
4. Altitude Sickness: Tashkurgan and the Pamir Plateau are at high altitudes, and some people may experience altitude sickness. Consider preparing oxygen bottles and taking altitude sickness medication in advance. Avoid strenuous activities and get plenty of rest in high-altitude areas.
5. Scenery Along the Way: The scenery around Kashgar is breathtaking. Don't just look at your phone while traveling; look out the window, and you might discover unexpected beautiful views.
6. Time Difference: Xinjiang time is about 2 hours behind mainland China, and daily routines may differ. Plan your itinerary and rest time accordingly.
7. Climate: Kashgar has large temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, evenings can be cool, so remember to bring a thick jacket. Also, the climate is dry, so stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.
Kashgar, this charming city with endless beautiful scenery and delicious food, awaits your exploration! Pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable journey to Southern Xinjiang!
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