The magnificent glaciers, the ancient Kashgar, and the bustling atmosphere of southern Xinjiang
【Kashi Ancient City】
This trip to Kashgar was a spur-of-the-moment adventure. I saw a few pictures that really caught my attention, made a call to a friend, and we immediately agreed. Then we booked the flight and hotel, and it was all done in just a few hours.
The flight lasted for six hours and everything went smoothly. We checked into the Yado Hotel, which is three kilometers away from the ancient city. We had dinner with friends in the evening, had a rest, and prepared for the old city tour the next day.
I woke up naturally in the morning and found it was only 8 o'clock. The sun hadn't risen yet. After having breakfast, I went to the ancient city with my friends. The opening ceremony of the ancient city is held at the East Gate at 10:30 every day. There is a brief introduction to the history of the ancient city, as well as dance performances and other activities, which lasts for about fifteen minutes. Before the opening ceremony, there are group dances for the public to participate in.
It was raining gently outside. We were wandering aimlessly in the ancient city. At this time, the ancient city was not as noisy as it was during peak tourist season. It was filled with the sounds of residents going about their daily lives, making it peaceful and serene.
The houses in the Kashgar Ancient City are all of a light yellow color, mostly two or three stories high. They rise and fall in accordance with the terrain. From a distance, the ancient city looks dull and gray, almost the same color as the desert. But when you enter, you will find it is colorful and full of vitality. While wandering in the alleys, you can see wood carvings and brick carvings everywhere. The colors used for doors, windows, and curtains are extremely bold, yet they blend in perfectly. Just around the corner, there might be something astonishing waiting for you.
Walking through the intricate alleys of the old city of Kashgar with their unique ethnic styles, the traditional buildings with ethnic characteristics are the soul of this place. Colorful wooden doors, carved balconies, the laughing and playing Uyghur children coming home from school, and every single ancient building is like a postcard.
In the evening of the ancient city, things gradually became lively. After school, children were playing and running in the streets and alleys, enjoying the carefree days of childhood. Tourists also increased in number. Curious people gathered in front of the shops to take a look and try some things. After work, residents, holding their children and carrying the ingredients for dinner, hurriedly made their way home.
A well-spoken Uyghur elder lady told us that in the era when communication was not so advanced, tea houses were important places for people to obtain information. By brewing a pot of tea, chatting about current events, discussing business, exchanging news and enhancing relationships, people lived their lives day by day for thousands of years.
The most famous place in Kashgar is undoubtedly the century-old tea house. You really should pay a visit to it.
We ordered a 168 set meal, which included a pot of special old tea, a snack platter, two bowls of yogurt, and two servings of cold noodles. There was enough for several people. The old tea could be refilled with water indefinitely.
The teapot was very beautiful. The tea water was bright red in color, with a strong aroma and a unique flavor. It was sweetened with honey and rock sugar, and tasted soft and sweet when drunk. I can't describe the taste, but it was quite delicious. It was a mixture of various spices and flavors that couldn't be found elsewhere.
The snacks looked unimpressive, but they were absolutely delicious! We all thought these snacks were incredibly tasty.
Added almonds, raisins, walnuts, sesame seeds, and honey. The ingredients are extremely rich and not at all gentle. It is soft in the mouth, with crispy nuts and a rich variety of flavors. It pairs perfectly with aged tea.
Most of the people in the tea house were tourists, while a few were local residents. I, who wanted to enjoy the tea properly, chose a seat on the balcony.
The tea house was bustling with people, all the seats were occupied. Music was constantly playing. One could either enjoy the tea and chat, watch the singing and dancing, or simply stand up and dance.
In the old town, there is also a popular coffee shop. You will often come across it if you wander around the old town. Actually, we entered this coffee shop to shelter from the rain. As a result, we spent three hours inside. The coffee shop has two floors. On the first floor, there are several parrots. On the second floor, people sit by the window to listen to the rain, watch the street scenes, chat with their companions, and the quality of the coffee is no longer important. Life is just like this, so wonderful.
【Ancient City Night Market】
In the evening, there will be a very lively night market here in the ancient city. It features all kinds of Xinjiang street snacks and a wide variety of delicious foods, making it extremely lively.
Night markets usually start setting up stalls around 7 or 8 o'clock in the evening. By 11 o'clock, when the night falls, they are still very lively. According to our observation, they basically finish selling and close up shop around the early hours of the next day. So, everyone should pay attention to the time when visiting the night market.
The pomegranates in Kashgar are very famous. At the night market, there are many vendors selling pomegranate juice. However, be careful to distinguish them. Some are sour pomegranates and some are sweet ones. The sweet ones are much more delicious!
This night market has a very distinctive Kashgar flavor. Uyghur friends really enjoy dining here.
The items sold here include naan, cold noodles, dumplings, rice intestines, goat hooves, spicy skewers, spring rolls, and so on. All of them have ethnic characteristics.
Oyatak Glacier Park
On the second day in Kashgar, we set off for the Oyitak State Glacier Park, which is 120 kilometers away and will take about 2 hours to reach. We will pass through Tao County on the way. Since there is no place to eat at the Oyitak Glacier Park now, we will buy some food in the county town in advance.
Travel 30 kilometers from the Oyuta Glacier Gate and drive to the Kuzai Glacier Park. The entrance fee for the scenic area is 45 yuan. There is an 8-yuan round-trip transportation fee. It takes 10 minutes to reach the destination by transportation vehicle. It takes another 20 minutes to walk to the viewing platform.
The Oyatake Glacier Park, nestled among snow-capped mountains in the Pamir Plateau, is surrounded by mountains on three sides. The snow-capped peaks are imposing, the glaciers are numerous, the forests are lush, and it combines the elements of grandeur, uniqueness, elegance, tranquility and danger. It integrates natural ecology and cultural historical landscapes, and is known as the "First Ecological Landscape of the Western Regions".
The luck was excellent. On the first day of my visit to Kashgar, it rained. At the Oytagak Glacier Park, it snowed. This place is home to some of the rarest low-latitude modern glaciers in the world. With an altitude of 2804 meters, it is the lowest glacier within China. The scenery is truly spectacular.
As we ventured deeper into the park, the forest, mountains, and glaciers were all covered in a vast expanse of white snow, presenting a truly magnificent scene!
In the Kuzai Park, we encountered a heavy snowfall. In the quiet mountains, the peaks and branches were outlined by the snow, creating beautiful patterns. Wearing a long coat and walking in the snow, the snowflakes fell all over me. Listening to the faint creaking sound under my feet, I suddenly understood that there is great beauty in the universe.
【Red Rock Valley】
We didn't spend much time in the Glacier Park. We headed five kilometers away from the park exit to Red Rock Valley and Oyatake Red Valley, a beautiful sight that we almost missed. In Kashgar, many people will definitely visit Ta County because the scenery along the way is so breathtaking. The well-known Baisha Lake and snow-capped mountains don't need much explanation. This Oyatake Red Valley, which is easily accessible halfway, you mustn't miss.
Having visited the Caidanxia Red Gorge in Zhangye, and arriving at the Oyitak Red Mountain, the Danxia landform within the canyon is even more extraordinary. Besides being redder in color than the Seven-Colored Danxia, it also features gray-green, gray tones, as well as various shaped mountains and valleys. Coupled with the green vegetation, sandy beaches and rivers, it resembles a richly colored and magnificent landscape painting.
On the 314 National Highway from Kashgar to Tala County, after passing the entrance of the Aoyatake Ice River Park Scenic Area (do not enter the scenic area, just keep driving on the 314 highway), continue driving for about 3 kilometers. Pay attention to the white small stone markers on the roadside. You will see a number plate with 1583. Turn right and drive in, and that's it. (This is a gravel road, not very obvious, and it's easily overlooked.)
Once you enter the valley, it's truly amazing! Both sides of the valley are covered with red rocks. There are also natural holes, and everything is a deep red, making it extremely beautiful.
【Preparation Before Departure】
【Sun Protection】
If there are no sandstorms in Kashgar, the air is highly breathable with less obstruction. Ta County, with its higher altitude, makes the entire journey extremely exposed to ultraviolet rays. Sun protection is a top priority for everyone, regardless of gender. Don't think that men don't need to apply sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays attack without discrimination, regardless of gender. You can get sunburned in no time! Sunscreen suits, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, masks - these are all essential items. It's best to choose a professional sun protection hat with a wide brim, as it can cover the neck, which is also very important. Otherwise, the neck can easily get sunburned. Try to cover yourself up as thoroughly as possible!
【Cold Protection】
If you go to the Pamir Plateau in April, the temperature difference is significant, but it's completely not cold anymore. The temperature during the day can be around 25 degrees Celsius. Although the lowest temperature might be around 10 degrees Celsius, because the sun sets late here, outdoor activities are basically not conducted during the coldest times, so as long as you ensure adequate warmth for nighttime activities, it's fine. At 10 o'clock at night in Ta County, which is just after dark, the temperature is around 20 degrees Celsius. Wearing a spring and autumn coat is very comfortable. Taking a walk in the ancient city before bedtime is very pleasant.
【Accommodation】
For our stays during the trip to the southern Xinjiang region, we chose hotels in the county towns. The accommodation conditions were quite good in places like Kashgar, Aksu, and Kuqa. Whenever there was a "Vienna" hotel, we would stay there, with an average cost of around 150 yuan per person, including breakfast and with decent hygiene standards.
The Vienna in Aksu was particularly luxurious and had a view of the lake. It was also very close to the airport. Highly recommended!
【Transportation】
Kashi has an airport and there are flights from all over the country. However, the flight schedules have been rather unstable recently.
The starting fare for a taxi in Kashgar is 8 yuan for the first 3 kilometers. Within the city, you can basically reach your destination with just one starting fare. To take a bus, you need to insert 1 yuan. The specific route can be found on the mobile map.
epilogue
This trip to Kashgar was a spur-of-the-moment adventure. We had originally planned to stay for a few more days and explore other areas, but the sudden outbreak of the epidemic disrupted our plans. We decided to go home. There will always be some regrets: missing the Rose Festival in Hotan, not going to Kuqa to taste the small apricots, not entering the Wakhan Corridor, not walking along the Tashkurgan Road, not seeing the starry sky in Kaili Yang...
Regrets are nothing to be afraid of, because for Xinjiang, I will have another trip and the next trip!
Wait for me, I will come back again!
