A city in China with a fairy tale vibe, reminiscent of One Thousand and One Nights

💚Kashgar, a vibrant ancient city.
The architecture here still carries the colors of the Western Regions, and you rarely hear Mandarin on the streets, as if you have stepped into the fairy tale book of One Thousand and One Nights.
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💛Kashgar is also the filming location for the movie The Kite Runner, with a romance that rivals Kabul in Afghanistan, but without any safety concerns.
(The safety level in Kashgar is almost as good as not having to worry about losing anything on the streets.)
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What is Kashgar?
It is the Shule Kingdom, one of the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, the crossroads of the Eurasian continent, and the meeting point of three major religions and four great civilizations.
Zhang Qian has been here, Xuanzang has been here, and Marco Polo has been here.
When you stand on a high point in the ancient city and look into the distance, your gaze may inadvertently meet that of Xuanzang from a thousand years ago.
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How to explore Kashgar?
1. Of course, you must stroll through the old city.
The old city of Kashgar is also called Kashgar, divided into east and west districts. Entering from the Id Kah Mosque is the west district of the ancient city, and the east district is opposite the Id Kah Mosque, with a sign saying "Han Bazaar" at the entrance.
Famous spots like Rainbow Alley, Bag Alley, the century-old teahouse, and the Id Kah Mosque are all in the west district.
I also recommend visiting the west district. There's no need to go to the internet-famous spots; just wander from the main road into the side alleys where mostly locals live. It's quiet and beautiful.
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2. Left hand pilaf and lamb skewers, right hand coffee and tea.
Besides exploring the ancient city, another must-do is eating and drinking.
Kashgar has many must-visit eateries, and you definitely shouldn't miss the cuisine of southern Xinjiang.
Moreover, prices in Kashgar are very affordable. If you like lamb skewers, you can have them every day.
Teahouses and coffee shops are also a must-visit. I recommend the teahouses in the ancient city.
Kashgar's coffee shops are beautiful, sitting on exotic streets drinking coffee, with local children coming over to chat, it's very chill.
Must-try foods in Kashgar: yogurt, pilaf, lamb skewers, steel meat, roasted pigeon, fried rice noodles, yogurt...
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How not to get lost in the ancient city?
When strolling in the ancient city of Kashgar, you must learn to read the floor tiles.
Hexagonal tiles can lead to any main road in the ancient city;
Horizontally laid tiles mean there's no road ahead;
Tiles with arrows indicate a clear path ahead;
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About accommodation
There are many accommodation options in Kashgar, but it's not recommended to stay inside the ancient city as carrying luggage there is difficult. Budget hotels near the entrance of the ancient city are more suitable.
If you want exclusive panoramic views of the ancient city, you can stay at Zhe·Ka.
Accommodation in Kashgar is hard to book during peak season, so plan ahead!
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Transportation in Kashgar
Taxis are easy to hail in Kashgar, and if you're moving around the ancient city area, the fare is usually the starting price.
If you're not in a hurry, you can take the bus, and both WeChat and Alipay are accepted.