Kashgar is an old city on the Silk Road and the westernmost major city in China. A day takes in the lanes of the old town and its opening ceremony, the Id Kah Mosque and a century-old tea house, a loop of the grand bazaar, and a finish amid the smell of baked samsa and tea-braised lamb.
The recommended plan is “One Day in Kashgar — Old Town and Bazaar”: about A full day · about 12 hours, 8 stops —Kashgar Old Town · East Gate, Gaotai Folk Houses, Id Kah Mosque, Century-Old Tea House, Ustangboy · Craftsmen's Street, Kashgar Grand Bazaar, Samsa · Tea-Braised Lamb, Old Town by Night · Khan Bazaar. Every stop comes with Chinese vocabulary, pinyin, set phrases and cultural notes at roughly HSK 3 level.
Kashgar lies in south-western Xinjiang, on an oasis south of the Tianshan, and more than two thousand years ago was where the northern and southern Silk Road routes met in the west — an old city where caravans from east and west rested and traded. The old town is a well-preserved quarter of rammed-earth building, its ochre lanes a maze of turns and branches, where families have lived for generations and children play football in the alleys: full of warmth. Uyghur culture runs deep here, and the streets are full of baked samsa, pilaf, roast lamb, naan and every kind of fruit, with music and dancing at the drop of a hat. See the opening ceremony at the east gate in the morning and wander the lanes and the Gaotai houses; at noon take in the centre around the Id Kah Mosque and sit in a century-old tea house over a pot of brick tea; in the afternoon the Ustangboy craftsmen's street and the grand bazaar; toward evening find a little place for samsa and tea-braised lamb, and at night walk the lit-up old town again. Uyghur and Mandarin are both spoken; asking prices and ordering in Mandarin is no trouble. Each stop carries the words and sentences most likely to come up that day, so you can read them aloud here and use them there.
Best time · 最佳季节:四月到十月最舒服;夏天热、日照强但瓜果最甜;秋天(九十月)凉爽、瓜果丰收;冬天冷、游客少April to October is the most comfortable; summer is hot and sunny but the fruit is sweetest; autumn (September-October) is cool with the harvest; winter is cold and quiet
时间、票价与开放时间会随季节变动,出发前请现场再确认一次;这里给的是先后顺序,不是时刻表。Times, prices and opening hours change by season — confirm on the day. The order here is a sequence, not a timetable.
09:30上午
🏛地标 · Landmark喀什市 · 吾斯塘博依路第 1 站
喀什古城 · 东门Kashgar Old Town · East Gate
Kāshí Gǔchéng · Dōngmén
老城的入口,每天早上有开城仪式,鼓乐一响城门就开了。
The gateway to the old town, with a morning opening ceremony — drums sound and the gate swings open.
The east gate is the formal entrance to the old town, and every morning there is an 'opening ceremony' — drums, song and dance, costumed performers coming out to welcome visitors, for many the first stop in Kashgar. Inside, the lanes begin: ochre earth walls, carved wooden doors, grapevines over doorways, another alley around every turn. Many locals live here — it is both a sight and a neighbourhood — so keep your voice down and do not photograph people's doorways without asking.
Practical note · 实用提示
开城仪式每天上午一场,想看就早点到;老城里住户多,拍照前先问一声。
One opening ceremony each morning — arrive early to catch it; locals live here, so ask before photographing.
The Gaotai houses sit on an earthen bluff north-east of the old town, one of Kashgar's oldest residential quarters: houses built up the slope tier by tier, some spanning the lanes above to form 'street-crossing rooms'. The alleys are narrow — at the tightest, two people pass only sideways. It was once home to craftsmen — potters, coppersmiths, naan-bakers — and after the old residents moved out, parts were preserved and opened up so you can see the look of old Uyghur houses.
Practical note · 实用提示
巷子窄、台阶多,慢慢走;有的院子还在修缮,按指示牌走别乱进。
Narrow lanes and many steps — take it slowly; some courtyards are under repair, so follow the signs.
在这里说 · Say it here
民居mínjū土崖tǔyá过街楼guòjiēlóu手艺shǒuyì修缮xiūshàn
这片老房子能参观吗?
Zhè piàn lǎofángzi néng cānguān ma?
Can we visit these old houses?
用在 · 进区域前问。Before entering the area.
里面的巷子通到哪儿?
Lǐmiàn de xiàngzi tōng dào nǎr?
Where do the lanes inside lead?
用在 · 怕走错时问。If unsure of the way.
往市中心去艾提尕尔清真寺,约十分钟。On to the town centre and the Id Kah Mosque, about ten minutes.
11:30中午前
🏛地标 · Landmark喀什市 · 艾提尕尔广场第 3 站
艾提尕尔清真寺Id Kah Mosque
Àitígǎ'ěr Qīngzhēnsì
喀什老城的中心,一座几百年的清真寺,门前是热闹的大广场。
The heart of old Kashgar — a mosque centuries old, fronted by a big, lively square.
The Id Kah Mosque stands in the centre of Kashgar, one of the largest mosques in Xinjiang and several centuries old. Its ochre gateway, rows of pillars and old trees in the courtyard are handsome in themselves. The square in front is the city's heart, busy by day and livelier still on festivals. Outside prayer times you can buy a ticket to visit; inside, dress modestly and keep quiet.
Practical note · 实用提示
参观注意着装得体、不要大声喧哗;礼拜时间不对外开放,别硬闯。
Dress modestly and keep quiet inside; it is closed during prayer, so do not push in.
在这里说 · Say it here
清真寺qīngzhēnsì门楼ménlóu廊柱lángzhù广场guǎngchǎng礼拜lǐbài
现在可以进去参观吗?
Xiànzài kěyǐ jìnqu cānguān ma?
Can we go in to visit now?
用在 · 到门口问。At the entrance.
门票多少钱?
Ménpiào duōshao qián?
How much is the ticket?
用在 · 买票时问。At the ticket window.
到旁边的百年老茶馆坐坐,约五分钟。Beside it, the century-old tea house, about five minutes.
12:30中午
🥢吃 · Food喀什市 · 吾斯塘博依路第 4 站
百年老茶馆Century-Old Tea House
Bǎinián Lǎo Cháguǎn
上百年历史的老茶馆,一壶砖茶配馕,听老人弹琴喝茶,是喀什的慢时光。
A tea house over a hundred years old — a pot of brick tea with naan, old men playing music, Kashgar in slow motion.
On Ustangboy Road, this tea house has been open for more than a hundred years and is the best known in Kashgar. Up to the first floor, sit cross-legged on the raised platform, order a pot of brick tea (or herbal tea) with a few pieces of naan, and watch the local elders drink, talk, play the rawap and sing — and dance if the mood takes them. Tea is cheap and you can sit all afternoon; it is one of the best ways to meet everyday Kashgar. Top up the water when it runs low, and order nuts and pastries if hungry.
Practical note · 实用提示
老茶馆是坐在炕上喝茶,鞋子要脱在边上;茶很便宜,续水不用另加钱。
You sit on the platform — leave your shoes at the edge; tea is cheap and refills are free.
在这里说 · Say it here
茶馆cháguǎn砖茶zhuānchá馕náng热瓦普rèwǎpǔ续水xùshuǐ
一壶茶多少钱?
Yì hú chá duōshao qián?
How much is a pot of tea?
用在 · 坐下前问。Before you sit.
可以再要几块馕吗?
Kěyǐ zài yào jǐ kuài náng ma?
Could I have a few more pieces of naan?
用在 · 配茶吃时用。With your tea.
逛吾斯塘博依职人街,约十分钟。On to the Ustangboy craftsmen's street, about ten minutes.
13:30下午
🏮夜市 · Night market喀什市 · 吾斯塘博依路一带第 5 站
吾斯塘博依 · 职人街Ustangboy · Craftsmen's Street
Wúsītángbōyī · Zhírén Jiē
打铜、制陶、做乐器的手艺人一条街,叮叮当当,很有老喀什的味道。
A street of coppersmiths, potters and instrument-makers — a clang and clatter full of old Kashgar.
The Ustangboy area is Kashgar's old crafts quarter, with copper shops, pottery, instrument-makers and woodworkers in a row, the masters sitting at their doors hammering copper, tuning strings and carving wood, a clangour up and down the street. Here you can buy handmade copper pots, rawaps, dutars, wooden bowls and embroidered caps — pieces of strong local character. Prices can be negotiated, but judge by craft and material, and mind how heavy things are to carry.
Practical note · 实用提示
手工艺品可以讲价,但别压太低伤手艺;大件的问清楚能不能寄。
Craft prices are negotiable, but do not grind too hard; for large pieces, ask whether they can be shipped.
在这里说 · Say it here
手工艺shǒugōngyì铜器tóngqì都塔尔dūtǎ'ěr花帽huāmào讲价jiǎngjià
这个铜壶是手工做的吗?
Zhège tónghú shì shǒugōng zuò de ma?
Is this copper pot handmade?
用在 · 挑东西时问。When choosing.
能不能便宜一点?
Néng bu néng piányi yìdiǎn?
Could it be a bit cheaper?
用在 · 想讲价时用。To negotiate.
去喀什大巴扎,约十分钟。On to the grand bazaar, about ten minutes.
15:00下午
🏮夜市 · Night market喀什市 · 中西亚国际贸易市场第 6 站
喀什大巴扎Kashgar Grand Bazaar
Kāshí Dàbāzhā
中西亚最大的集市之一,从干果、地毯到铜器、乐器,什么都卖。
One of the biggest markets in Central Asia — dried fruit, carpets, copper, instruments, everything.
The Grand Bazaar lies east of the old town: thousands of stalls selling dried and shelled fruit, carpets, silk, copperware, instruments, caps and knives (regulated knives cannot go on a plane — beware), busy from morning to night. Here you find Xinjiang specialities — Hotan dates, almonds, raisins, dried figs — and goods in a Central Asian style. Sundays are the busiest, packed shoulder to shoulder.
Practical note · 实用提示
买干果先尝再买、认准秤;管制刀具别买、更别带上飞机或邮寄不规范的。
Taste dried fruit before buying and watch the scale; do not buy regulated knives, and never take them on a plane.
在这里说 · Say it here
大巴扎dàbāzhā干果gānguǒ地毯dìtǎn摊位tānwèi秤chèng
这个干果怎么卖?能尝一下吗?
Zhège gānguǒ zěnme mài? Néng cháng yíxià ma?
How is this dried fruit sold? May I taste it?
用在 · 买干果通用。Buying dried fruit.
这个能带上飞机吗?
Zhège néng dài shàng fēijī ma?
Can I take this on a plane?
用在 · 买刀具、液体时问。For knives or liquids.
回老城吃晚饭,约十分钟。Back to the old town for dinner, about ten minutes.
17:30傍晚
🥢吃 · Food喀什市 · 老城 / 夜市第 7 站
烤包子 · 缸子肉Samsa · Tea-Braised Lamb
Kǎobāozi · Gāngziròu
烤包子趁热咬、缸子肉就着馕喝,是喀什最地道的两样。
Samsa straight from the oven and lamb braised in a mug, eaten with naan — the two most local bites in Kashgar.
Kashgar has too much good food to list: baked samsa, stuffed with lamb and cooked against the walls of a tandoor, flaky outside and rich within, best eaten hot from the oven; tea-braised lamb, bone-in mutton in an enamel mug slow-cooked with carrot and chickpea into a rich broth to eat with naan; and pilaf, grilled lamb skewers, whole roast lamb, hand-pulled noodles, qushqush (dumplings) and dried-yoghurt balls. The flavour is savoury and mutton-heavy — say so in advance if you do not eat lamb. The night-market area has stall after stall.
Practical note · 实用提示
烤包子出炉最快卖完,别磨蹭;羊肉菜多,不吃羊的提前说;夜市人多看管好财物。
Samsa sells out fast from the oven — do not dawdle; mutton is everywhere, so speak up if you do not eat it; watch your things in the night-market crowd.
At night Kashgar's old town shows another face: warm yellow light on the earth walls, the lanes gone quiet but for an occasional footstep; while around Khan Bazaar — the food street and night market — everything is lit and lively, the smell of grill smoke, the sound of drums and rawaps and people dancing all mixed together. Wander the old town again, stop at a little shop for a bowl of yoghurt or an ice cream, and finish the day.
Practical note · 实用提示
夜里凉,加件外套;夜市热闹但人多,财物和随身物品看紧。
Nights are cool — bring a jacket; the night market is lively but crowded, so keep your valuables close.
在这里说 · Say it here
夜市yèshì灯光dēngguāng手鼓shǒugǔ酸奶suānnǎi热闹rènao
晚上的夜市在哪儿?
Wǎnshang de yèshì zài nǎr?
Where is the night market?
用在 · 晚上找吃的时问。Looking for food at night.
这边几点人最多?
Zhèbiān jǐ diǎn rén zuì duō?
What time is it busiest here?
用在 · 想去凑热闹时问。To catch the liveliest hour.
回酒店休息,一天行程结束。Back to the hotel — the day ends here.
走到哪儿都能用的 10 句 · Ten lines that work anywhere
打车、点菜、问路、结账、拍照——一整天真正要开口的,基本就这十句。Taxis, ordering, directions, paying, photos — most of a day comes down to these ten.
请问这里怎么走?
Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get here?
用在 · 问路最通用的一句。The all-purpose way to ask directions.
这个多少钱?可以扫码吗?
Zhège duōshao qián? Kěyǐ sǎo mǎ ma?
How much is this? Can I pay by QR code?
用在 · 巴扎、小店通用。Works in the bazaar and at shops.
能不能便宜一点?
Néng bu néng piányi yìdiǎn?
Could it be a bit cheaper?
用在 · 在巴扎讲价用。Haggling in the bazaar.
这个可以尝一下吗?
Zhège kěyǐ cháng yíxià ma?
May I taste this?
用在 · 买干果、小吃前问。Before buying fruit or snacks.
有清真餐馆吗?
Yǒu qīngzhēn cānguǎn ma?
Is there a halal restaurant?
用在 · 找吃饭地方时问。Looking for a place to eat.
可以帮我拍张照吗?
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ pāi zhāng zhào ma?
Could you take a photo for me?
用在 · 古城、广场拍照用。In the old town and on the square.
这个能带上飞机吗?
Zhège néng dài shàng fēijī ma?
Can I take this on a plane?
用在 · 买刀具、液体时问。For knives or liquids.
附近有洗手间吗?
Fùjìn yǒu xǐshǒujiān ma?
Is there a toilet nearby?
用在 · 老城、巴扎里常问。Common in the old town and bazaar.
我听不懂,请说慢一点。
Wǒ tīngbudǒng, qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.
I do not understand — please speak a little more slowly.
用在 · 听不清时随时可用。Useful whenever speech runs too fast.
看会了不等于说得出。把上面这些句子拿到陪练里说一遍,AI 会告诉你哪个词用得地道、哪句可以换种说法。Reading is not speaking. Take these lines into the speaking partner and it will tell you which words landed and which sentence has a more natural version.