Kashgar Travel Guide
Introduction about Kashgar
Kashgar (also known as Kashi in Chinese) is situated in Southern Xinjiang and Western part of China. It is geographical coordination is; longitude at 73°20′－79°57′ and latitude at 35°20′－40°18′. It borders with Taklamakan Desert on its East, Karakoram Mountain and Tibet Autonomous Region on its South, Pamir Plateau on its West, Aksu Prefecture on its Northeast, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture is on its Northwest, Hotan Prefecture is on its Southeast.
Kashgar borders with four countries on its southwest. Tajikistan on its West, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kirgiztan on its Southwest, with total of 388 km frontier. From East to West is 750 km and north to south is 535 km and total covered an area of 111794.03 square km. Kashgar is surrounded by mountain on its West, South, and North and open terrain facing the Tarim Basin on its East and from southwest to northeast. Major rivers are Yarkand river, Tiznap River, Kizil River, and Gaz River.
Population
By the end of 2010, Kashgar had 3.97 million people, total of 68600 people increase compared with same time previous year. The birth rate of 10.02 % and mortality rate of 2.61 %.
Kashgar is the multi-cultural region mainly consist of Uyghur’s who makes the majority of the population. In the region, other than Uyghur, Han Chinese, Tajik, Hui, Kirgiz, Uzbek, Kazak, Russian, Daoer, Mogol, Xibo and Manzu. Total of 13 nationalities lives in Kashgar.
Administrative Divisions
Kashgar have one city, 10 counties, and 1 autonomous county: Kashgar city, Shule County, Shufu County, Yingsar County, Yupurga County, Jiashi County, Yarkand County, Poskam County, Karghilik County, Makit County, Baqiu County, and Tashkorgan Tajik Autonomous County.
Kashgar city is the place where the prefecture administrative office is situated. From 2000 years ago during the Silk Road Times till up to today, Kashgar is political, economic, cultural, transportation and religious center.
Kashgar Scenic Spots
Kashgar was the important hub on the ancient Silk Road where the Caravan’s exchange their goods and exhausted animals before they either cross Taklamakan Desert or World Dangerous Karakoram Highway. Today, tourist to Kashgar can experience what the Caravans have done back 2000 years ago with their camels with the help of modern cars. Other than Taklamakan Desert and Karakoram Highway, they can also visit Karakul Lake, Tashkorgan (Stone City), Mt. Muztagh Ata(Father of Ice Mountain) which is 7546 meters, Mt. Kungger which is 7719 meters. But they can easily see and spend some time in Kirgiz and Tajik peoples house with them for short period of time to see how they are living in 21st century without modern facilities.
Besides these, tourist to Kashgar also can visit biggest market in Central Asia which is the Kashgar Sunday Market, which used to be market where the Caravans at ancient Silk Road Times trade their goods and animals. Kashgar Old Town which has a history of 2000 years, Id Kah Mosque which was built in 1442 as a small mosque but now it became largest mosque in China, Apak Hoja Tomb mausoleum which is also known as Fragrant Concubines Tomb, which is the typical Central Asian Architecture built in 1678. Mahmud Kashgari Tomb who was the writer and compile of Turkish Dictionary. Yusup Has Hajip who was the scholar, and writer of wisdom of happiness. Yarkand Golden Grave Yard
Some other historical caves and pagodas also available, such as Three Mortal Cave and Mor Buddhist Pagoda.
Kashgar also one of the best places to do short and long treks, You can do short and long treks at the Karakul Lake and Muztagh Ata area, if you are lover of nature and want to do month long most adventurers trek, we can also help you to do it in K2. If you think those areas either altitude is too high or too cold, you can do even shorter treks at Shipton’s Arch which is the biggest natural arch in the world. Treks are not only in the mountain, you can also do day to day trek in Taklamakan Desert.
