Kashgar

Ancient Silk Road's living museum

Xinjiang’s Kashgar stands as a crossroads where cultures converge along ancient trade routes. The city thrives on its location, connecting Central Asia with China through centuries-old pathways. Its markets buzz with activity, selling spices and textiles from distant regions. Local traditions remain strong in daily life, reflected in food, music and crafts passed down over generations. Visitors encounter a unique mix of influences shaped by history and geography. The region’s landscapes range from rugged mountains to open plains, offering varied scenery alongside its rich heritage.

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City in China

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.5

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

1/5

English proficiency is generally limited in Kashgar. While some staff at international hotels and major tourist sites may speak basic English, most locals communicate primarily in Uyghur and Mandarin. Having a translation app or basic Mandarin phrases is

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Kashgar Summary

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Exceptional for Silk Road culture and markets. Wander historic bazaars, visit mosques and old town streets and experience traditional Central Asian trading culture.

Place score

6.8

Best at:

Religious sites

Markets

Local cuisine

Historic sites

Traditional culture

Personal score

Suited for

👶 4

Families

🧓 4

Seniors

👩 6

Solo

❤️ 6

Couples

China – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A , Type I Type A: Type I: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) £1 ≈ CN¥8.88
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted in China, particularly in urban areas. Mobile payment services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are commonly used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in China and is not expected, although it may be appreciated in high-end restaurants or by hotel staff for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally not allowed in many places in China, but it is common in restaurants and bars.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in many indoor public spaces, such as restaurants and public transport, but enforcement can vary.

Chinese New Year (January/February)	Major holiday with family gatherings and public celebrations
National Day (1 October)	National holiday with parades and festivities

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	DiDi, Uber
Other:	China is known for its vast cultural heritage, including historical landmarks like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army. It offers diverse landscapes ranging from mountains to beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Kashgar, China

❄️

Jan

🌤️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

🌤️

Apr

☀️

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

☀️

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	April
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Karakoram Highway to Karakul Lake and the Khunjerab Pass is usually open April to October, snow closes it in winter

Kashgar Sunday Livestock Market runs every Sunday year-round, but is much quieter in winter

Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many local restaurants closed until sunset

Don't miss

🏘️ Wander through the labyrinthine alleys of Kashgar Old Town
🕌 Visit the grand Id Kah Mosque and listen to the call to prayer
🧿 Shop spices, rugs, and antiques at the bustling Sunday Bazaar
⚱️ Explore the ancient tombs of the Apak Khoja Mausoleum
🍜 Sip Uyghur tea and taste handmade noodles in a teahouse
🔨 See traditional craftsmen forge metal and carve wood by hand

You've been here?

Why travel to Kashgar?

Kashgar offers an authentic glimpse into a unique cultural crossroads that has largely disappeared elsewhere in the modern world. The city's old town, despite recent renovations, still preserves the essence of traditional Uyghur life with its maze-like streets, artisan workshops and the scent of freshly baked naan wafting through the air. The Sunday Bazaar and Livestock Market provide an unforgettable sensory experience where trading traditions have continued largely unchanged for centuries – a rare opportunity to witness Central Asian commerce in its most vibrant form. Beyond the city itself, Kashgar serves as the gateway to some of China's most spectacular natural landscapes. Day trips along the legendary Karakoram Highway reveal breathtaking alpine lakes like Karakul and Baisha, set against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. For the more adventurous, excursions to Shipton's Arch (one of the world's tallest natural arches) or the Pamir Plateau offer unforgettable wilderness experiences. Meanwhile, food enthusiasts will delight in the rich flavors of authentic Uyghur cuisine – from hand-pulled laghman noodles to fragrant polo (pilaf) and freshly grilled kebabs – that reflects the region's position at the crossroads of culinary traditions.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Id Kah Mosque
2 Afaq Khoja Mausoleum. Bus 20
3 Old City (currently closed for repairs)

🎡Places for activities

1 Kashgar Old Town

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Shipton's Arch

🛍️Shopping

1 Sunday Bazaar

🎈Events

Corban Festival
Roza Festival
Xinjiang International Dance Festival
Apricot Blossom Festival
Kashgar Cultural Week
Silk Road Tourism Festival
Uyghur Music and Dance Celebration
Kashgar Food Festival
Traditional Crafts Exhibition
Pamir Mountain Trekking Festival

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Check Xinjiang travel permit requirements.
Explore Old Town alleys early morning before tourist crowds arrive daily.
Visit Sunday Livestock Bazaar at dawn to witness camel and sheep trading.
Try laghman noodles and kebabs at century-old Chini Bagh teahouse with locals.

How to travel to Kashgar

Kashgar Airport (KHG) is located about 9km from the city center and offers regular flights to major Chinese cities including Urumqi, Beijing and Shanghai. From Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, there are also train connections to Kashgar, though the journey takes approximately 24-30 hours. For international travelers, most will first fly into a major Chinese hub like Beijing or Shanghai, then connect to Kashgar via domestic flight. Note that as of May 2025, travel to Xinjiang requires standard Chinese visa procedures, but no special permits are needed for Kashgar itself, though this can change and should be verified before planning your trip.

Access summary

From Kashgar Airport (KHG): Taxi or shuttle to city center, 20–30 minutes.
From Urumqi: Direct flight about 2 hours; occasional long-distance trains available.
From Kyrgyzstan (Irkeshtam/Torugart): Overland border crossings with hired car or bus.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Kashgar

Accommodation in Kashgar ranges from international chain hotels to more atmospheric local guesthouses, particularly in and around the Old City. Budget travelers will find hostels and simple hotels offering basic amenities at very reasonable prices, while mid-range options often provide a good balance of comfort and local character. For a more authentic experience, consider staying in a renovated traditional Uyghur house in the Old City area. All visitors must register with local authorities upon check-in, which reputable accommodations will handle for you.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Radisson Blue Hotel Kashgar

9.1

Qiniwak Hotel

8.3

Atour Hotel Kashgar Ancient City Pedestrian Street

8.7

Kashi Yin Rui Lin International Hotel

7.3

Orange Hotel Kashgar Ancient City

8.9

Ella International Hostel Kashgar

10.0

Vatica Kashgar Ancient city of Muir

9.5

UrCove By Hyatt Kashgar Ancient City Scenic Area

9.6

GreenTree Inn Kashgar Xiangfei Garden

10.0

JI Hotel Kashgar East City Baiheyuan Pedestrian Street

10.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Kashgar

Kashgar is relatively compact and the old town area is best explored on foot to fully appreciate its atmospheric narrow streets and hidden courtyards. For longer distances within the city, taxis are plentiful and inexpensive, though negotiating fares in advance is recommended if you don't speak the local languages. Public buses connect major attractions and are very affordable, but signage is primarily in Chinese and Uyghur. For excursions to surrounding attractions like Karakul Lake or Shipton's Arch, hiring a private driver or joining an organized tour is the most practical option, as public transportation to these areas is limited.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-73 %

Daily expenses in Kashgar are around 73% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to CNY) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£21	£60	£183
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£8	£38	£120
🍝 Food per day	£11	£19	£56
🚕 Transportation per day	£2	£3	£7

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£7.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£2.60
🍟 Fast food combo	£3.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£4
☕ Cappuccino	£2.10
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.29
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£4.20
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.75

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.80
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£19
🤧 Cold medication	£4.30
💇 Basic haircut	£4.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Kashgar is generally safe for tourists with low violent crime rates. However, there is significant security presence throughout the region with frequent ID checks and security screenings. Respect local regulations, carry your passport at all times and be aware that photography may be restricted in certain areas.

Health & Medical

Basic medical facilities are available in Kashgar, though they may not meet Western standards. For serious conditions, evacuation to larger cities would be necessary. Bring any prescription medications you need, as specific brands may not be available locally. The dry climate can cause dehydration, so drink plenty of water.

Accessibility

Kashgar presents significant challenges for travelers with mobility issues. The Old City features narrow, uneven streets and few buildings have accessibility accommodations. Modern areas and newer hotels offer better accessibility, but overall, the infrastructure is not well-adapted for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.

Tap water

Tap water in Kashgar is not recommended for drinking. Bottled water is widely available and should be used for drinking and brushing teeth. When exploring, especially on day trips to remote areas, carry sufficient bottled water as availability may be limited outside the city.