Kashgar Old Town Roaming Guide

🌟 Kashgar Old Town: A Living Specimen of 2000 Years of Western Region Civilization
🏰 An Eternal City Built of Loess and Faith
Stepping into Kashgar Old Town is like opening a three-dimensional encyclopedia of Western Region civilization. This is the only rammed earth architectural complex in China, still vibrant after 2000 years of wind and sand — called "Qonaq Xehir" in Uyghur, meaning "the ancient city that lives forever." During Emperor Wu of Han’s reign, it was already the royal city of the "Shule Kingdom" on the Silk Road. When Zhang Qian made his second mission to the Western Regions, he once rested and watered his horses under the mottled earthen walls.

🕌 The Millennium Code in the Maze-like Alleys
1️⃣ Id Kah Mosque Square
At dawn, a spectacular scene unfolds with 900 people kneeling in prayer simultaneously. This largest Central Asian mosque was built in 1442. Its porch has 28 carved wooden columns, none of which are perfectly straight, reflecting the Islamic art philosophy of "human imperfection." Tip: On Friday noon prayer days, you can witness the amazing sight of thousands of white prayer caps undulating like waves.

2️⃣ Wustangboy Old Street
In the clinking copper workshop, the sixth-generation inheritor, Aili, is hammering a Twelve Muqam instrument. This "artisan street" preserves the medieval handicraft ecosystem, with earthenware, wood carvings, and Atlas silk dancing in the shop windows with Western Region colors. Special reminder: After 7 p.m., the cumin aroma from the baked baozi stalls will lead your nose.

3️⃣ Jiulong Spring Ancient Residence
Opening the painted carved wooden door, 62-year-old Ayiguli is baking naan under the grape trellis in the courtyard. This "Ayiwang"-style building hides Pythagorean wisdom: the 1.2-meter-thick rammed earth walls keep it warm in winter and cool in summer, and the high-platform residences stacked like honeycombs protect against wind and sand while providing communal drying terraces. Tested tip: Try climbing the "cat ear" grooves on the walls; ancient residents used these to pass emergency alerts.

4️⃣ Century-old Teahouse
The aroma of brick tea has drifted from the second-floor terrace for 128 years. Sitting cross-legged on floral carpets, watching elders stir Chamag herbal tea with mulberry wood spoons, the Uyghur version of "One Thousand and One Nights" flows on the dutar strings. Practical tip: Order a pot of rose tea with walnut naan; the landlady might teach you the authentic way to dip naan in tea.

5️⃣ Artisan Bazaar
The medieval leather dye workshop is still operating, with craftsmen using pomegranate skins and walnut green husks to make 24 colors of natural dyes. In Ironware Alley, when buying an Yengisha knife, look for the "Ismail" pattern on the handle — a craftsman family’s anti-counterfeit mark. Shopping guide: When bargaining, placing your right hand on your chest is a friendly signal, but don’t offer too low a price for the waist knife, as this is considered inauspicious in Uyghur culture.

At sunset, climb the city wall ruins to see 2000 years of light and shadow flowing over the earthen buildings. Children from the old town elementary school run past the alley kicking a leather ball, sparks fly from the coppersmith’s shop, and smoke rises from the naan oven — this is the magic of Kashgar Old Town: letting history live in every aroma of baked baozi.🌅