Kashgar

The Id Kah Mosque

Karakuri Lake

Tomb of Abakh Khoja

Kashgar lies 1,300 metres high on the bank of Tuman river in the middle of irrigation oasis with cotton and agricultural cultivation. The population of 240,000 is predominantly Uighur. Kashgar only became Chinese around 200 BC, then again during the Tang period and finally during the period of the Qing emperors. Kashgar is the furthest away form the sea of all the big towns and it is closer to Moscow, Islamabad, Delhi, Kabul and Teheran than to Beijing.

The Id Kah Mosque is located in the centre of the city. This grand Islamic structure is a stark contrast to many Chinese-style mosques in Xi’an. Being the largest in China, it attracts more than 10,000 worshipers for prayers on a Friday afternoon.

Taxkorgan about 250 km from Kashgar is the "last outpost" in China before Pakistan is the capital of the Autonomous District of the same name with majority of Tadjik peoples. According to accounts by Ptolemey, trader from the East and West used to trade their goods here without crossing the borders.

Karakuri Lake, known as the father of glaciers, sits at an elevation of 3,600 metres (1,1808 feet) and is located at the foot of Mount Maztagata. It is an unspoiled place like Shangri-La with its dramatic and spectacular natural scenery.

"Three Immortal Buddhist Caves". Hewn from the cliffs some 10 metres (32.8 feet) above the riverbed, these caves can be dated back to the 2nd or 3rd century, ranking it as the earliest Buddhist caves in Western China.

Bazaars are the focus of activity nearly every day, with stalls dotted here and there, and crowded streets. Throughout the bazaars, you will find some stalls that sell everything while others specialise and sell local produce, arts and crafts, garments, knives, timber, coal, and animals.

Tomb of Abakh Khoja, the powerful ruler of Kashgar in the 17th century who was revered as a prophet and second only to Mohammed is located 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) north-east of the city of Kashgar. First built in 1640, all five generations of the family are buried within.

Fei (Fragrant Concubine) Tomb is in memory of Abakh Khoja’s granddaughter, Iparhan. She was the Fragrant Concubine of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing period and was called Xiangfei because of the delicate fragrance sent forth by her body.