Friends invite you to Xinjiang
Come and listen to the mystery story
Xinjiang invites you to Kashgar
Only when you really come to Xinjiang
...
Just as the lyrics say, "If you don't go to Kashgar, you don't count as going to Xinjiang." One sentence arrogantly and domineeringly declares the important position of Kashgar in Xinjiang, and the unique Western Region style here makes people have to agree.
Kashgar, Uyghur means "the place where beautiful jade is concentrated". Just by reading it, you can feel the notes jumping in your heart. What kind of city is this? Why do I say that this is a city that makes people fall in love easily? Let me talk about the people I met in Kashgar first...
Ms. Zhan, who has been teaching in Kashgar for a year, wants to go back again. Ms. Chen, who is teaching in Taxian County, wants to go to Kashgar for the postgraduate entrance examination. The words she never forgets about the children in the old city want to take the civil servant examination in Kashgar. Huihui, a fellow villager, bought a postgraduate entrance examination for Xinjiang after returning home. Air ticket, I rented a house in Kashgar for the second half of the year and became Kapiao. Brother Xiaochao, who was riding all the way and suspended his trip due to a leg injury, chose to return to Kashgar to recuperate. Kapiaochuan’s sister resigned and opened an online celebrity shop in the old city to sell fruit tea, just like me Miss Mengjie, who likes to stay in one place and enjoy immersive travel, unfortunately failed to go to the old city to take pictures together. I stayed in Kashgar for a full 57 days, and the city where I stayed the longest on the road still strongly wants to come back...
Kashgar is a city that will give people a sense of belonging. It is effortless to use its unique charm to make people stop. The exquisite old city, the enthusiastic Uighurs, the bazaar that is not tired of shopping, the mysterious Pamir, and the crispy roast Nang, delicious fruits, teahouses with stories, affordable prices, and cute Kapiao...everything is a reason to fall in love...
Living History--Kashgar Old Town
"The old city made of mud has the warmth and softness of the soil. The Uyghur art bred on it is as simple and quiet as the mud. After thousands of years, it is still blooming."
The old city is the soul of Kashgar. It is the only historical block with classical Islamic features preserved in China. Unfortunately, what we see now is not the original appearance. The largest adobe building complex still in use in the world is gradually being transformed with the transformation of the old city. Disappeared, in the newly reborn old city, exquisite Uyghur-style brick houses replaced dilapidated earthen houses, the living conditions of residents improved, and cultural relics disappeared, which is a pity. Fortunately, the reconstructed old city retains the original building components as much as possible, which looks distinctive without too much sense of disobedience.
The entire old city area is very large, divided into two by Jiefang Road, into the west and the east. The labyrinth-like streets of the old city are winding and winding, and the houses are layered on top of each other. In fact, there is no need to entangle the route, wandering in the lanes, just looking at it Architecture is also a kind of visual enjoyment. The undisciplined state of visiting the old city is a magic weapon to integrate into the local slow life.
Every time I come to the old city, I feel that the people who live here are all artists... The Uighurs fully embody the wisdom of aesthetics on the exquisitely carved wooden doors and windows, and embody the romance of life on every green plant. Residents like to place flowers and plants on their doors and window sills, which makes the old city lively and vibrant.
The alleys around Ashtu Lane in the old city are my favorite alleys. The green plants in the alleys here make people feel happy, and there are much fewer tourists than the core scenic spots. If you want to avoid tourists, I suggest you go up the stairs and go to a higher place . The splendor of the old city can only be experienced slowly if you stay here.
The most attractive thing about the old city is the atmosphere of life here, the old people chatting in the teahouse full of vicissitudes of life, the Uighur women in flowery skirts swaying in the streets and the innocent and enthusiastic children running.
By coincidence, I met a group of children in a certain street, and because they let me run to the old city again and again, I took the trouble.
They will specially prepare a meeting ceremony when we meet for the second time. After a few days, they will rush over and hug me, and each of them will give me a mouthful. Secretly stuff two bears in my bag when we say goodbye, and only take the cheapest one when I buy popsicles...
It is obvious that most of the children here are well-bred and know how to share. They are cute themselves, and their innocent smiles are really infectious.
PS: Recommend a few check-in places in the old city:
Id Kah Mosque
Id Kah is the largest mosque in Xinjiang. Its architecture is full of Islamic characteristics. It is located in the center of the old city. It means "a place of festival worship and assembly" in Uighur. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to see the scene of thousands of people worshiping. .
Near the Id Kah Mosque is the Nobel Road, which is full of delicious food. The Xinjiang food here is more authentic than the night market street. I recommend trying this jar of meat, which makes me rekindle my passion for the tired lamb. The soup is slightly salty but very fresh. , the mutton stew is good, and the kebabs are also very good.
century old teahouse
The centuries-old teahouse in Kashgar is also a wonderful place in the old city. The teahouse is not big, the lights are dim, and it is really lively. Everyone sits in groups, makes a pot of tea, breaks a pancake, and listens to Rewafu playing and singing , A pot of tea at 38 can sit for a whole day, while the most affordable brick tea only costs 15 a pot. The Uighur grandfather said that he came every day, as if he had been immersed in tea for half his life.
Guli Tea House
Guli Tea House is located at the junction of the exquisite Mill Lane and Ashtu Lane. This double-storey tea house covered with green vines is very beautiful. The shop is small and exquisite, with an open-air balcony full of flowers, suitable for daze. The boss is a Uyghur herbal tea master. Ladies can order Gulixiang tea, and men can order Balangjin tea. For refreshments, you can order Guli cakes and Balang cakes, which are unique.
Dream back to Kashgar
The only mosque bar in the country, a bar and tea bar transformed from an old mosque, is really fresh. However, the architectural beauty of the mosque can only be seen clearly during the daytime. The exquisite pillars and colorful patterns can be said to be very suitable for taking pictures.
Grape Tea Summer
The Internet celebrity milk tea shop in the old city of Kashgar, Lilichaxia, is beautifully decorated. The beautiful boss is a girl from Chengdu. When she came to Kashgar for a trip, she resigned and became a member of the Kapiao family because "I don't want to leave after I come here." Drinking a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice in the hot Kashgar is very refreshing.
The last adobe building group in Kashgar--Gaotai Dwellings
If the soul of Kashgar is in the old city, then the essence of the old city is Gaotai folk houses. This group of residential buildings on the high loess cliff, built on the cliff, is preserved as a "relic park" and maintains the original style of Uyghur folk houses. It is known as "a living folk museum of Uyghurs", and some people even say " If you don't go to the high platform, you don't count as Kashgar."
The population density of Gaotai folk houses used to be very high, even surpassing the crowded Shanghai, but now Gaotai houses have become dilapidated houses, few people live in them, tourists cannot enter and visit, garbage is everywhere, houses are in disrepair and collapse everywhere, like a piece of land. The ruins are in stark contrast to the old city across the street. The desolation and decay of the Gaotai folk houses have to make people feel the changes of the times.
At present, there are still very few clay potters living here, and the craftsmen handed down from generation to generation are still working hard in the small workshops in the houses, either for the inheritance of craftsmanship, or for subsidizing their families...
Market Culture--Southern Xinjiang Bazaar
Bazaar, a very cheerful word, means "bazaar, farmer's market" in Uighur. Bazaars are spread all over Xinjiang in urban and rural areas. In southern Xinjiang, almost every town has a bazaar. The time of different bazaars is staggered from each other. There is even a bazaar every day, which is not the same for a week. "Bazaar driving" seems to be an indispensable part of the life of Uyghurs.
I like visiting bazaars very much, because they are down-to-earth and have a strong atmosphere of life. Bazaars are the epitome of Uyghur life, filled with the smoke and fire of ordinary people, primitive, simple and enduring.
Central West Asia International Grand Bazaar
The Central and Western Asia International Grand Bazaar, also known as the East Bazaar, is the largest international trade market in Northwest China. It is rich in commodities and affordable in price. Various local products, handicrafts, silk fabrics, floral hats and carpets, ornaments and musical instruments... It is easy to eat and wear. Everything is available, it can be said that all the items that a person needs in his life can be bought here.
On weekends, the East Bazaar is bustling like never before, and the security check channel is also crowded. You can choose a beautiful silk scarf, or find a piece of chic fabric, and find a tailor recommended by the locals to make a unique flower skirt. Go to Pamir Enjoy taking pictures with the old city, the tailor shop near the bazaar costs almost half less than the old city.
Cattle and Sheep Grand Bazaar
The cattle and sheep bazaar in Huangdi Township, Kashgar every Sunday is very lively, spectacular and down-to-earth. It is the largest cattle bazaar in Asia and even in the world, so it attracts many Chinese and foreign tourists. It is no exaggeration to say that the fellow Zhong Ge A picture of the cattle and sheep bazaar, specially flew to Kashgar.
The live animal trade that has been going on for thousands of years is indeed an eye-opener. This is probably the most sheep I have seen in my life. I like this kind of bazaar culture.
The price of cattle and sheep in the Grand Bazaar is pleasant, and the freshly slaughtered and roasted red willow Nangpit barbecue, Nang meat, baked buns, hand-picked rice, cold noodles, and seasonal melons and fruits are all worth trying.
Tips:
Location: Near the Huangdi Township Bus Station, about 30 yuan by taxi
Various bazaars in the streets of the old city
As long as you pay a little attention when wandering in the old city, you will find that some streets are a themed bazaar, such as the flowerpot bazaar at the gate of the city, the Duopa bazaar on Huamao Street, and the Kantuman bazaar on Blacksmith Street. Various bazaars give vitality to the old city.
Counties around Kashgar
The Kashgar area is very large, with 1 city and 11 counties, and I only set foot in 1 city and 3 counties after staying for nearly two months. It is indeed worth a second trip.
Taxkorgan County
Taxian County can be said to be the most powerful county in China. This small county on the Pamirs borders three countries, namely Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is a thousand-year-old stone city here, which is also the movie "The Kite Runner". One of the filming locations has a rare forest of ice towers. On the border of Aktao, next door, there is a secret place in the world, Datong Township Xinghua Village. In addition to the father of the glacier, Muztag, there is also the world’s most difficult to climb. of pure Caucasians - Tajiks.
The Tajiks here have an exotic style different from the Uyghurs, highly recommended!
Shache County
Shache County, the most populous county in Xinjiang, has few tourists and many Uighurs. The Chinese of the ethnic people is not very good, and language communication is very difficult... But I still recommend you to go, because very few tourists will go there specially. So there is no commercial atmosphere here, everything is the most original.
The old houses in the old town of Shache are dilapidated and depressed, and most of them live in low-income households. The Azina Mosque next to it is very distinctive, and the 600-year-old historical sites are full of earth.
The memorial tomb of Amanisha Khan is next to the Mausoleum of King Yarkand Khan.
Shule County
If time permits, you can go to the countryside of Shule County to experience grape picking. Believe me, the best grapes in China are in Xinjiang. To enjoy a feast of fruit. Of course, you can also choose to go to Turpan, the hometown of grapes, to enjoy high-quality fresh grapes.
Flavor Xinjiang
If you come to Xinjiang in August and September, you will be lucky. The unique climate with long days and short nights and large temperature difference between morning and evening makes the fruits here extraordinarily sweet, the prices are pleasant, and there are very few pests. The fruits and vegetables are healthy. The locals wipe the dust and eat them directly. , Disposable, of course, if you have a bad stomach, it is not recommended to do this.
Kashi people’s favorite sugar buns, figs and black seed pomegranates must be tried, as well as grapes, cantaloupe, rock candied apples, fragrant pears, apricots, jujubes from southern Xinjiang... The aftermath of this melon and fruit feast is after returning home A lot of fruit is bland...
If no cow can get out of Chaoshan alive, then probably no sheep can get out of Xinjiang alive. You can eat sheep in a fancy way here:
Red willow kebabs
Naan meat
Cooked Chopped Entrails Of Sheep
shelf meat
Roast Lamb Buns
Pork meat
Mutton Rice
thin skin buns
Team up to eat chicken in Xinjiang:
Xinjiang large plate chicken
Pepper Chicken
In addition to grilled meat and grilled fish
Kashi's special pigeon soup and roasted pigeon are delicious and tonic
Xinjiang hand-pulled slivers are also extremely delicious
The freshly baked naan is fragrant and crispy
Xinjiang "cut cake" marzipan is not expensive at all
Unlock Master Kong Halal Cumin Mutton Flavored Instant Noodles
If you feel greasy, you can have a bowl of local handmade yogurt, or have a skewer partner to kill the big Wusu, the heat-relieving weapon "Sharon Duohe" shaved ice yogurt, idle hot milk tea, and drink addictive milk beer. The small white apricot drink that can only be bought in supermarkets, the beer-flavored drink kvass...
You can eat the above delicacies in Kashgar, and coming here is also a gourmet journey.
postscript
In the eyes of many people, Kashgar represents southern Xinjiang. Kashgar is surrounded by the Taklimakan Desert, Karakorum Mountains, and the Pamirs. It is surrounded by Aksu in the north and Hotan in the southeast. It has a scenery that is not inferior to that of northern Xinjiang, and has the most attractive Western Regions. If you only come to Xinjiang once, I recommend you to come to Kashgar in southern Xinjiang.
All my WeChat friends can see it. I often share the strangers I meet on the road. I originally planned to write a series of "Southern Xinjiang·Meeting 101 Strangers".
We met and then left, like all the stories, maybe we will never see each other again, may each be well.
