2025 Yecheng Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in March)

This year, Altay can be described as crowded with people. Compared to Northern Xinjiang, I love the small towns of Southern Xinjiang more, especially the ancient city of Shache. With a history of over 3000 years, it is an important passage of the Silk Road and has several times become a famous tribal state in the Western Regions. The rich Western Regions' cultural atmosphere combined with the ancient characteristic buildings are worth spending a few days leisurely strolling in the ancient city~ Yecheng. Visiting the famous Xitiya Mystery City, also known as the "Immortal Cliff", through the wind and rain-eroded ruins, you can vaguely see the ancient city's past glory. Walking in it, it feels like traveling back to the ancient Western Regions. - Three days and two nights travel guide: - DAYO: Landing at Kashgar Airport - Shache - Old City Cultural Center - Homeland of Muqam Restaurant - Old City Road/Golbagh Road - Old City Night Market - DAY❷: Shache Museum - New Unity Tea Shop - Kazanqi Folk Street - Characteristic Alley - DAYO: Xitiya Mystery City - New Tibet Line Starting Point Landmark Check-in - Yecheng County Museum - Walnut Seven Immortals Garden Travel tips: 1. Visit Shache ancient city for the first two days, and Yecheng on the third day. It is recommended to rent a car after landing at Kashgar Airport for convenience. 2. The Twelve Muqam performance at the Old City Cultural Center has two time slots, 12:30 and 17:30. This is one of the world's intangible cultural heritages, and you must watch it if you come. There are also interactive sessions that are very interesting. 3. The New Unity Tea Shop has a very lively atmosphere. Afternoon tea costs only one yuan per pot, but you need to prepare cash in advance. 4. Kazanqi Folk Street is very suitable for taking photos and checking in. Many Xinjiang-style houses are very photogenic. 5. Visiting and taking photos in Xitiya Mystery City requires half a day. The Walnut Seven Immortals Garden is not easy to get a taxi to, so it is best to rent or charter a car to go there. ~ Photo check-in guide: 1. Shache ancient city is very suitable for taking cultural and street photos. Kazanqi Folk Street is more photogenic. ② The Old City Night Market is also more suitable for taking photos and checking in at night, with a very lively atmosphere. ~ Try to visit Xitiya Mystery City in the afternoon to catch the sunset for better photos. The New Tibet Line sign at the entrance of Xitiya Mystery City is also worth checking in. The zero-kilometer mark of the New Tibet Line is very photogenic for taking photos next to the sign.

A two-day tour of Kizilsu and Kashgar offers an easy exploration of southern Xinjiang's scenery! Admire the majestic Kunlun Mountains, stroll along Karakul Lake, and embrace the tranquility of nature. Then, visit the Stone City ruins on the Pamir Plateau and listen to the echoes of history. Perfect for a leisurely trip for seniors—don't miss out! -- 🏞️ Suggested Itinerary: An In-depth Tour of Kizilsu-Kashgar Region DAY 1: White Sand Dunes-White Sand Lake Scenic Area—Pamir Plateau—Karakoram Mountains—Kongur Tagh—Muztagata—China-Pakistan Friendship Highway On the first day, we will marvel at the natural wonders of the White Sand Dunes and White Sand Lake. Afterward, we will cross the Pamir Plateau, admiring the magnificence of the Karakoram Mountains along the way. Passing by Kongur Tagh and Muztagata, we will experience the majesty of the snow-capped mountains. Finally, we will step onto the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, a testament to the friendship between the two countries. DAY 2: Kashgar Old Stone City—A'al National Wetland Park of Pamir Plateau, Xinjiang On the second day, we will explore the historic Kashgar Old Stone City, experiencing the vicissitudes and mystery of the ruins. Afterward, we will visit the A'al National Wetland Park of the Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang, getting close to nature and appreciating the unique charm of the plateau wetlands. -- Must-See Attractions: 🌟 White Sand Dunes-White Sand Lake Scenic Area: The White Sand Dunes and White Sand Lake complement each other beautifully, offering stunning views of snow-capped mountains and lakes. It's perfect for seniors to stroll around and enjoy the tranquility and magnificence of nature. 📸 Kashgar Old Stone City: The traces of history are clearly visible here. The ancient Stone City is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, and seniors can leisurely explore and create lasting memories. 🌿 A'al National Wetland Park of Pamir Plateau, Xinjiang: Known as the A'al Golden Grassland, the natural scenery here is captivating. It's a great place for seniors to experience the plateau's unique charm. ❄️ Kongur Tagh: Kongur Peak soars into the clouds, covered in thick snow. It's an excellent spot for capturing the beauty of snow-capped mountains, and seniors can take memorable photos here. -- Pre-Trip Essentials: 👕 Clothing: The weather in Kashgar in March is moderate. Suits or windbreakers are sufficient during the day, but warm coats are recommended for the evenings. Don't forget comfortable sneakers for exploring the ancient city's alleys! 🎒 Accessories: Sunglasses, sun hats, and sunscreen are essential for protection against UV rays! Also, bring a power bank and an umbrella for unexpected situations. 📘 Important Documents: Remember to bring your ID card, cash, and bank cards. Safety first when traveling! 💊 Common Medications: Bring cold and stomach medicines just in case, as well as any personal medications. Stay healthy while traveling! -- 👵 Seniors can enjoy a relaxing, fun, and safe trip to Kashgar! Remember to follow me for more unique group tour experiences! 🌄

Southern Xinjiang, a mysterious and romantic ancient kingdom, from Kashgar Old City to the Taklamakan Desert, a 5-day, 4-night journey through the Millenium Silk Road. This is a niche and amazing route, so save this guide now❗ ❗【👇Click below to unlock your journey to this ancient kingdom】❗ 🎨Gaotai Residence: The Gaotai Residence carries Kashgar's rich history and culture. Step into the ancient Gaotai Residence, stroll through the Islamic-style palace district, visit inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, and experience the charm of the local pottery.✨ 🏜️Taklamakan Desert: The calling card of Southern Xinjiang! Desert sunsets and vast starry skies are within reach, and the Milky Way is clearly visible. We highly recommend staying at the N39 Desert Camp in Makit County to experience a private dinner in the heart of the desert🍽️. A desert feast is absolutely unforgettable~ 🏞️Baisha Lake: The lake is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the snow-capped mountains, creating a picturesque scene! Enjoy afternoon tea by the lake🍵, savor the tranquility, and embrace the healing power of nature. 🌟 【Trip Highlights】 ✅ Trip Moments in Kashgar: Dress up and explore the ancient city, experiencing the unique Southern Xinjiang style! ✅ Desert Delicacies: Desert hot pot under the stars and various Xinjiang delicacies to satisfy your cravings! ✅ Desert Camp: The cabins in the desert are super unique~ ✅ Visiting the Old City: Visit a Uyghur family and experience their warm hospitality. ❗【👇Click below to unlock your journey to this ancient kingdom】

This is no exaggeration... I was really shocked by the Tasha Trail! October 28, live shooting with mobile phone! From Tashkurgan to Shache, in the first half of the journey, the majestic aura of the Karakoram Mountains greets you, giving you a sense of loneliness as if you are on a distant planet. On the way, we passed through several villages with apricot blossoms in full bloom. Beside the canyons and streams, wild apricot blossoms were blooming in autumn orange. The Yarkand River along the way is like a dazzling sapphire💎. Even on a cloudy day, the color of the river water is still deep and rich. We also unexpectedly discovered a poplar forest in the canyon. We can walk along the slope to the river... Finally, we crossed dozens of kilometers of narrow valleys ⛰️, overlooking the "Xiao Panlong Ancient Road", and the road became relatively flat afterwards. 🚗Self-driving tour suggestions: ✅The road conditions on October 28 were good, with light rain and cloudy weather, with occasional short sunny days. The entire journey through the Tasha Trail takes about 6-7 hours. ✅Except near a few villages, mobile phone signals are weak in most areas. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with key intersections in advance and mark the "Kuzu Checkpoint" at the passing points. ✅The scenery along the way is: Eye of the Pamirs - Blue Lake - Xinghua Village - Poplars in the high mountain Gobi valley - The bluest section of the Yarkand River - The ancient road in the canyon - "Xiao Panlong Ancient Road" - Mountains with red textures. ✅It is recommended to depart from Tashi County as early as possible (preferably before 10 am) and leave the ancient road before 6 pm to avoid driving at night.

After a few days of rest and team formation in Kashgar, we finally began the first day of the G219 Xinjiang-Tibet Highway on September 6. Today, we arrived in Yecheng, the zero-kilometer starting point of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is here. On the way, we also passed through Shache, a small town full of exotic charm. Unlike Kashgar, it has fewer tourists and commercialization (the people eating barbecue at the stalls are all locals). Shache County is the largest almond production base in the country, known as the hometown of almonds in China, with ethnic minorities accounting for more than 95% of the population. It has a history of more than 3,000 years. It was a famous tribal kingdom in the Western Regions, successively known as the Kingdom of Shache, the Kingdom of Qusha, and the Yarkand Khanate. The Yarkand Khanate Palace is not open to the public, so we could only check in from the outside, but the Amannisa Khan Tomb is very beautiful. Yecheng also has a 'City of Sitiya Ruins.' 'Sitiya' translates to 'Immortal Cliff' in Chinese. The ruins are estimated to date back to the Tang Dynasty, but this still needs to be verified. However, it is now just an artificial landscape, seemingly a local open activity venue. We happened to catch them holding an event, and then watched the 'Baduanjin' competition between various villages and teams on site for a while. Surprisingly, this is also popular in Xinjiang.

National Highway 219 is also known as Kanas-Dongxing Highway, G219, National Highway 219, Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, and Kadong Line. This national highway starts from Kanas Mongolian Township, Hemu in northern Xinjiang in the north and ends in Dongxing City on the China-Vietnam border in Guangxi in the south. It passes through four provinces and cities, namely Xinjiang, Tibet, Yunnan and Guangxi, and is the border highway of Northwest and Southwest China. Route 219 is 10,065 kilometers long and is the longest national highway in China. Yecheng is the last stop of the Xinjiang-Tibet Line in Xinjiang. From Yecheng, it goes south into the Ali region of Tibet, about 1,080 kilometers away from Ali City. Yecheng County is located in the southwest of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, more than 1,500 kilometers away from the capital Urumqi and 260 kilometers away from Kashgar. It is backed by the Karakoram Mountains and Kunlun Mountains in the south and connected to the open plains in the north. It is close to the Taklimakan Desert and the upper reaches of the Yarkand River. The terrain is high in the south and low in the north. It borders Pakistan and the Indian-controlled Kashmir region, with a border line of more than 80 kilometers. It is a military stronghold on the western border of China, a national key county for poverty alleviation and development, and a border county. It is known as the hometown of walnuts, pomegranates, jade, and singing and dancing in China. Yecheng County is the abbreviation of Yarkand, and the county is named after the Yarkand River. The zero kilometer sign represents the starting point of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, which has important geographical and cultural significance. It is not only an important channel from Xinjiang to Tibet, but also an important starting point for many self-driving enthusiasts and travelers. It connects Xinjiang and Tibet and is called the Sky Road, symbolizing a new journey and a new spiritual starting point starting from here. ⏳Play time: It is open to the public free of charge and the duration of the visit is from 10 minutes to 1 day. 👍Most Recommended: The Lost City of Sitia is a very distinctive scenic spot in Yecheng County.

⭐Travel guide: ✅Go to Yarkand Ancient City on the first two days and Yecheng on the third day. It is recommended to land there It is more convenient to rent a car after Kashgar Airport~ ✅The Twelve Muqam performance at the Old City Cultural Center has two time periods, 12:30-17:30. This is one of the world's intangible cultural heritage. You must see it when you come. There are also interactive sessions that are very interesting~ ✅New Tuanjie Tea Shop is very popular. Afternoon tea only costs one yuan a pot, but you need to exchange cash in advance~ ✅Kazanqi Folk Street is very suitable for taking photos and checking in. Many Xinjiang-style folk houses are very photogenic~ ✅You need half a day to visit the Lost City of Sitia and take photos~ ✅It is not easy to take a taxi to Walnut Qixian Garden. Try to rent a car or charter a car to take photos and check in. The ancient city of Yarkand is very suitable for taking pictures of people, sweeping the streets, and Kazanqi Folk Street. More of a film~ ✅The Old City Night Market is also more suitable for taking photos and checking in at night, it is very pyrotechnics ✅Sitia Lost City, try to go in the afternoon and wait for more movies to be released at sunset~ ✅The Xinzang route sign at the entrance to Sitia Lost City is also worth checking out. ✅The Xin-Tibet Line is 0 kilometers away and you can take pictures by the road signs, which is very photogenic~ For more photo check-ins and travel tips, please see Favorites. See you in the next issue~ 💛Twelve Muqam folk artist performances 12:30-13:30, 17:00-18:00 🍕🍕🍕Yarkand Food: The largest almond production base in the country, Yarkand melon, Yecheng walnut, cornstarch chicken, rack meat, roasted pigeon 🚗Transportation: Kashgar to Shasha (2 hours train)￥28.5 ￥Ticket: Yarkand Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park (Yarkand Khan Palace) ￥15

🌍 Zonglang Lingquan Address: Located in Yecheng County, Kashgar City, about 280km from Kashgar 🔶 Along the way, you can see snow-capped mountains🏔, Yecheng River, Gobi desert, forests, and if the weather is good, it's truly beautiful 🔶 The road to Zonglang Lingquan is even more impressive with Gobi desert forests and wetlands reflecting each other 🍔 The food in the scenic area is not expensive, similar to outside, and the taste is also good 🏖 Admission to the scenic area🎫 is 25 yuan, and children under 1.3 meters are 🆓 🏖 Inside the scenic area, there are mountains and waters everywhere, ancient willow trees, and crystal-clear springs 👍 It's a great choice for a weekend getaway😎

|New Tibet Highway National Highway G219 Starting Point 0 Kilometer Monument.🗒Yecheng|New Tibet Highway National Highway G219 Starting Point 0 Kilometer Monument 🔜The New Tibet Highway (the route from Xinjiang to Tibet by self-driving) old G219 National Highway starts in Yecheng~ 🍔Stocked up on some food at this intersection 🍔 🌮Because we cook our own food on the road🌮 🏔On the road: snow-capped mountains, green salt lakes, 🏍motorcycle 🚲bicycle teammates, altitude 4500-5000 is quite breathless, also saw skinny foxes🦊 and Tibetan antelopes🐏 📍In Yecheng, if you are self-driving, there are many places with water and electricity where you can park, and there are hotels inside this orchard🏘, 100-200 per night What made a deep impression was that there were a lot of plums, 🍇🍇grapes, 🍉🍉watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables in the orchard, ate a lot of fresh plums, haha, directly picked from the tree, washed and eaten👍👍

🚙 You can get there by taking a taxi from the downtown area and reporting the name of the place, which costs about 35 yuan. Just don't get off at the entrance, as you still need to walk a bit further to reach the scenic area inside. 🪪 There is a youth hostel inside, priced at 39 yuan per person, but it seems to have been closed for a long time 🏘 Inside there are canteens, bars, etc., but almost none of them are open 💢 It's possible to take photos when there are fewer people around, plan your camera positions well, and you can take good pictures. 💢 The only thing worth seeing is the Western Regions Thirty-Six Countries Cultural Exhibition Hall

👇👇👇👇🤞 📖 'Xitiya' translates to 'The Immortal Cliff' in Chinese. According to the 'Charm of Yecheng' series, it was founded at the end of the 11th century. Some believe it was the Khan's city during the Kara-Khanid Khanate. It was destroyed in 1218 during Genghis Khan's western expedition. 🪪 Ticket price: 30 yuan per person. You can either walk or take a shuttle bus to enter the scenic area, which is not very large. It takes about 40 minutes for a photo tour. ✴️ In the scenic area, 'The Thirty-Six States of the Western Regions' is recommended for everyone to see. It showcases the distinctive features of each of the thirty-six states through oil paintings, sculptures, and video animations, allowing for a greater understanding of Xinjiang's history. 🕛 The scenic area has a city gate opening performance, which takes place at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. 💢 The scenic area is all in earthy yellow, so fairy girls can wear bright colors to stand out in photos~ 💌

"Sithia" translates to "The Eternal Cliff" in Chinese. According to the "Charm of Yecheng" series, it was founded at the end of the 11th century. Some believe it was the Khan's city during the Kara-Khanid Khanate. It was destroyed in 1218 during Genghis Khan's western expedition. The ruins of the Lost City of Sithia (Sithia Ancient City) are located about 1 kilometer northwest of the People's Government of Luoke Township, 11 kilometers east of Yecheng County in the Kashgar region of Xinjiang, near the Sithia Gully. The site spans an area about 1 kilometer long and 1.5-2 kilometers wide, on a slightly elevated terrain. The Sithia Lost City site is a regional cultural relic protection unit. Inside the city, one can occasionally find remnants such as pottery shards, porcelain pieces, loess, burnt red earth, and human bones. The earthen platforms within the site may have been walls or tomb clusters. In recent years, local farmers working on land reclamation around the site have unearthed various sizes of pottery jars, coins, copper products, and ancient ornaments. There is still a copper vessel about 18 centimeters high in the county, which is exquisitely crafted and of great research value.

If you can only visit Xinjiang once, you might as well start with Southern Xinjiang. Here, you'll find not only the rich Western Region culture but also the magnificent Pamir Plateau landscapes. In the desert live the centuries-old Loulan people, the grand canyons boast Danxia landforms, blue lakes lie at the foot of snow-capped mountains, and ancient paths carry the history of the Silk Road.... Experience the old times in Kashgar - Kashgar Old Town Travel through China's most dangerous and magnificent road - Karakoram Highway A pure canvas interwoven with white sand and blue lake - Baisar Lake The path once taken by Xuanzang on his return from the West - Tashkurgan Ancient Path Reflecting the towering peaks like a mirror - Karakul Lake The winding Kunlun dragon - Panlong Ancient Path Recommended 11-Day Itinerary for Southern Xinjiang D1: Various places → Urumqi D2: Urumqi → Bosten Lake → Hoshul D3: Hoshul → Loulan Village → Kuqa D4: Kuqa → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu D5: Aksu → Desert Highway → Jiaohe Ancient City → Hotan D6: Hotan → Zepu Poplar Forest → Yarkant King's Palace → Yarkant D7: Yarkant → Kashgar Old Town → Kashgar D8: Kashgar → Oytag Glacier Park → Baisar Lake → Taxkorgan D9: Taxkorgan → Panlong Ancient Path → Bandier Blue Lake → Jinhua Beach Stone City → Karakul Lake → Kashgar D10: Kashgar → Shell Mountain → China's Westernmost Point → Kashgar D11: Kashgar → Airport drop-off 【tips】 The temperature difference between morning and evening in Southern Xinjiang is significant, so be ready to add or remove clothing as needed. The weather in Southern Xinjiang is drier compared to Northern Xinjiang, so always stay hydrated! Long travel distances by car, so buy snacks or dry food and water in advance. The sandy roads in Wensu Grand Canyon are not suitable for sandals. The altitude near Taxkorgan can reach around 4000 meters, so avoid strenuous activities to prevent altitude sickness.

'Xitiya' translates to 'The Immortal Cliff' in Chinese. According to the 'Charm of Yecheng' series, it was built at the end of the 11th century. Some believe it was the Khan's city during the Kara-Khanid Khanate, and it was destroyed in 1218 during Genghis Khan's western expedition. Ticket price: 30 yuan per person. The scenic area is not large, and the time for taking photos + sightseeing is about 40 minutes. The 'Thirty-Six Countries of the Western Regions' in the scenic area display the distinctive features of each of the thirty-six countries through oil paintings, sculptures, and dynamic video presentations, allowing for a deeper understanding of Xinjiang's history. Scenic area gate-opening performance times: 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

If any sisters really want to travel to Xinjiang, make sure to plan thoroughly before you go! Jinhu Yang National Forest Park is located on the west side of Zepu County in the Kashgar region of Xinjiang, adjacent to the Yarkant River. It is a beautiful desert oasis with tens of thousands of acres of natural Populus euphratica forests. The park features beautiful gardens and lake views built around the oasis's lakes and woods, offering picturesque scenery. It is one of the scenic spots in the Kashgar area, and visiting the Populus euphratica and enjoying the beautiful garden scenery is a great choice. The Jinhu Yang scenic area is quite large, mainly divided into two parts: the area near the main entrance and the Populus euphratica forest area, with shuttle buses connecting the two parts. It is advisable to spend about 3-4 hours to enjoy the entire scenic area. ...Must-see attractions recommended: Yarkant Khan Mausoleum Exhibition Park of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Shache County Dawan Kun Desert Tourism Scenic Area 4 Shache One Street Kashgar Power Rolling Wusitang Practical Information: The scenic area is open all year from 10:00 to 20:00. Ticket price: 40, shuttle bus: 20$ Kashgar region has strong ultraviolet rays, so make sure to protect yourself from the sun and try to leave the scenic area before 7 pm. Students: Half price for tickets for those over 1.3 meters (excluding) in height and under 18 Food recommendations: There are many farmhouses and restaurants near Zepu County where you can taste local specialties such as pilaf, roasted lamb, mixed noodles, etc. In addition, you can also try special restaurants like Zepp Special Rice and Humar Restaurant Notes: It is recommended to visit before October for better scenery. Pay attention to safety while playing in the scenic area, do not randomly pick or damage the Populus euphratica forest. Remember that when visiting Xinjiang for the first time, you need to find a local Xinjiang group through official channels If you have any questions or want a detailed strategy, leave a message in the comments section or you can

About 80 kilometers from the world's second highest peak, Qiaogeli, there is a small village called Kululu. All climbers from the Chinese direction to climb the Jogori peak must first arrive here, then ride a camel and set off from the village of Kululu. Walking hard in the sky, after crossing the 4,720-meter-high Agradda, you enter the Kulai River. The snow-blowns, the Stangel, and the Tramukanli Glacier in the Karakoram Mountains are all developed in the Klein River. Upstream, and finally from this into the Jogori peak base camp sound red beach. The residents of Bullu Village are mainly Kirgiz, with about 60 households in the village. The population is small and there have been few changes in the past few decades. The honest and simple Kirgiz people silently guard their homeland, while also silently guarding the borders and tranquility of the motherland. Most of the young people in the village are now guards. Korke Dai women's clothing, the more difficult the conditions feel, the more the color of the costumes shine. The early villagers mainly planted barley and grazing. Later, because of the mountaineering enthusiasts, many villagers formed a camel team to transport mountaineering enthusiasts and mountaineering equipment to the mountaineering base of Jogori. According to statistics, there are about 170 camels in the village, which are divided into 8 groups. The village committees arrange the rotation of mountaineering materials in a unified manner, giving people a feeling of socialism. Although the village of Kruler is only 80 km from the Jogori peak, but from the Kruler village to the base camp, the camel team takes 15 days to go back and forth.