[2025 Kashgar Attraction] Travel Guide for Terrace Folk Residence (Updated Feb)

Gaotai Residence is a Uyghur ethnic settlement built on a loess cliff more than 40 meters high and more than 800 meters long at the northeast end of the old city of Kashgar, Xinjiang. It has a history of 600 years and is a showcase of ancient Uyghur residential architecture and folk customs in Kashgar. A great view. The Uighurs here have lived together for generations, and their houses are built along the cliffs. As the family population grows, they build an additional floor on top of their ancestors' houses. This way, from generation to generation, the houses are connected, and the floors are stacked layer by layer. Most of them are earthen houses, but there are also many newly built brick houses. Between these haphazardly built buildings, there are more than 50 alleys that are interconnected, crisscrossed, winding, and up and down. Without locals to lead the way, outsiders will definitely get lost. The houses are built of mud and poplar wood. After the wood is delimbed, it is not planed and is used directly to construct and support roofs, attics and balconies. The whole block looked shaky and baggy. But it is said that the houses here are very solid, and many of them have a history of hundreds or even thousands of years. Gaotai Residence

• Gaotai Ancient Homes are representative of traditional Uyghur homes in southern Xinjiang, and one of the most representative architectural styles in southern Xinjiang. • Gaotai Ancient Homes are closely related to the local geography, lifestyle, and religious beliefs. • Gaotai Ancient Homes are made of mud, with flat roofs to protect against wind and sand. • Gaotai Ancient Homes have courtyards and stairs inside, making daily life more convenient.

Kashgar Gaotai Folk House is a treasure full of historical charm and Uyghur customs [Heart] Architectural features: Gaotai residential houses are built on the cliffs, layer upon layer, in a well-proportioned manner. Houses with earthen wood, brick and wood structures are still strong and durable after hundreds of years of wind and rain. The architectural style here is unique. When the family population increased, they would add an extra floor to their ancestors' house, forming a layered layout of "upstairs and buildings outside", as well as "cross-street buildings" and "half-street buildings". ” and unique architectural forms such as the rare “suspended building”. [Heart] Lane layout: The lanes of Gaotai residential buildings are winding and narrow, extending in all directions, like a huge maze. The alley is only 6 meters wide at its widest point and only allows one person to pass sideways at its narrowest point. The floors are paved with bricks and stones, which have become smooth and textured over time. The lanes are lined with ancient houses and handicraft workshops, each exuding a rich flavor of life. [Heart] Residential life: There are currently more than 600 residents in Gaotai Residential Houses, all of whom are Uyghurs. Their lifestyle and customs give people a strong sense of Uyghur customs. Here, you can see residents wearing traditional Uyghur costumes, walking in the lanes, or sunbathing and chatting at the door. They have friendly smiles, enthusiastically invite you to take photos, and hand over props to let you feel the charm of intangible cultural heritage. [Heart] Handicraft inheritance: Many ancient clay pottery workshops and other handicraft workshops are preserved in Gaotai residences. These workshops are important inheritance places for Uyghur traditional handicraft skills. Here you can witness the production process of clay pottery, woodware, weaving and other handicrafts, and feel the unique charm of intangible cultural heritage. [Heart] Cultural infiltration: Everywhere in Gaotai residences is full of cultural atmosphere. Whether it is the ancient residential buildings, traditional handicraft workshops, or the warm and hospitable Uyghur residents, everyone can feel the profound cultural heritage. Every detail here seems to tell the history and legend of the ancient city of Kashgar.

Day 1: Arrive in Kashgar Day 2: Drive to Tashkurgan County Day 3: Khunjerab Pass Day 4: Descend and return to Kashgar Must-Visit Attractions 1. Kashgar Old Town: A place full of exotic charm, featuring many unique souvenirs and ethnic foods. It is a must-visit to experience Uyghur culture. 2. Tashkurgan County: The scenery is absolutely stunning. The drive itself is worth the trip. We went up the mountain in November and encountered a snowfall, which excited us southern kids. 3. Khunjerab Pass: The China-Pakistan border gate. There's not much to see, but it's worth a visit. It was very cold that day, so we just walked around a bit, had a bowl of hot noodles, and left. Must-Try Foods 1. Blue Rock Pigeon Nutrition Pigeon Soup Restaurant: The pigeon soup here is super delicious. It's an old restaurant offering both boiled and roasted pigeon. I personally prefer the roasted one as it's more flavorful. The soup is also very tasty. 2. Kashgar Old Town Snack Street: The whole street is filled with snacks. You can eat while you walk. It's pomegranate season now, and any pomegranate juice you get is very refreshing. Accommodation Recommendations Many new hotels have opened in recent years. It's the off-season now, so hotel prices are relatively cheap. I personally recommend Orange Hotel and All Seasons Hotel. Both are clean, comfortable, and reasonably priced. Orange Hotel Kashgar Wanda Plaza No. 046, East Lake Street, South of Dolatbagh, Kashgar Photo Spots 1. Gaotai Residential Area: There are many alleys inside that are great for photos, full of exotic charm. 2. Kashgar Old Town: Bustling streets and renovated residential buildings. Any spot can make a great photo. Tips You need a permit to go up the mountain. Hong Kong residents can get it at the 'Kashgar International Self-Driving and RV Campground.' There's a department inside that issues permits. It's very simple and quick, taking only 10 minutes.

[Introduction]: Kashgar Old Town is a comprehensive tourist attraction that combines history, culture, and folk customs. It has withstood over 2,000 years of rain, snow, and wind, making it a living fossil for studying the ancient Western Regions and a place to study the culture of the ancient Silk Road. Covering an area of about 3.6 square kilometers, it is one of the largest existing adobe building complexes. ⛺[Must-visit local attractions]: 1. Century-old Teahouse: The interior of the teahouse is decorated with Uyghur characteristics, with brightly colored carpets, exquisite wood carvings, and paintings, creating a strong ethnic atmosphere. 2. Rainbow Alley: Named for its colorful walls, the bright walls are perfect for photos and are a favorite spot for tourists. 3. Cloth Bag Alley: The walls of the alley are covered with various cloth bags, with beautiful patterns and embroidery, full of artistic atmosphere. 4. Gaotai Residential Area: Originally a unique architectural complex in Kashgar Old Town, it is currently undergoing renovation and protection due to safety concerns. The houses are built along the cliffs, forming a unique landscape. From the Gaotai Residential Area, you can overlook the entire Kashgar Old Town, with distant mountains and the ancient city complementing each other, creating a spectacular view. 5. Wusitangboyi Road Ancient Street: This is a street in Kashgar Old Town with a long history. The street is lined with traditional buildings with ethnic characteristics, yellow walls, carved doors and windows, and winding alleys, making you feel like you've traveled back in time. 6. Id Kah Mosque: Built in 1442, its main gate is made of yellow bricks with white plaster joints. The gate is flanked by semi-embedded brick columns, and the small tower at the top allows worshippers to pray from a height, creating a solemn and majestic atmosphere. 🛬[Travel Tips]: 1. City Opening Ceremony (East Gate) at 10:00 am and 6:00 pm 2. Old Town Corner Café 3. Han Bazaar (mainly food and various specialty items) 4. Id Kah Mosque 5. Homestay Street 6. Unique photo spots (Rainbow Alley, Cloth Bag Alley, Door and Window Street) [Food Guide] 1. Lamb Skewers 2. Roast Whole Lamb 3. Pot Meat 4. Cold Noodles 5. Pilaf 6. Yogurt/Yogurt Rice Dumplings 7. Grandpa's Grandpa's Dad's Naan

Passing by Gaotai in the evening, it is especially beautiful under the setting sun. Gaotai Residential Area is a Uighur settlement in the northeast of the old city of Kashgar, built on a loess cliff more than 40 meters high and more than 800 meters long, with a history of more than 60 years. The Uighurs here have lived here for generations. The houses are built on the cliffs. As the family population increases, a floor is added to the ancestral house. In this way, generation after generation, the houses are connected, the floors are connected, and they are stacked on top of each other. It is said that the highest is 7 floors, and 7 generations of people have lived there. Most of these houses are earth houses. Among these randomly built floors and floors, there are more than 50 small alleys that go up and down. Some alleys are all adobe houses on both sides. When you enter the courtyard, there is a different world inside. The courtyard is planted with grapes, figs, and potted flowers and plants. It is clean and tidy. Some houses are beautifully decorated and rich in Uighur characteristics. Time is in a hurry, just take a simple walk. Free attractions, worth recommending.

The Gaotai Residential Area is a Uyghur ethnic community located on a 40-meter-high and 800-meter-long loess cliff at the northeast end of the old city of Kashgar. It has a history of 600 years. The Uyghur people have lived here for generations, building their houses along the cliff, layer upon layer, forming a network of interconnected, crisscrossing, winding, and undulating alleys. Walking through these alleys, you see history, encounter intangible cultural heritage, and understand ethnic culture. At the end of the Gaotai Residential Area, there is a group of pigeons with foot wings called 'Tayun.' The Uyghur pigeon keeper Taga is very enthusiastic. Seeing us watching, he immediately took out some feed and called them to fly up and eat, then handed the feed to us. The pigeons, very bold, continued to perch on our hands and peck at the feed, tickling us gently and affectionately. That moment of leisure transcended all frozen moments in time. Looking back is a thousand years, looking up is the distance. 📍Detailed Address: Southeast 50 meters from the intersection of Tuman Road and Areya Road, Kashgar City; 🚉Transportation Guide: City scenic spot, accessible by bus; 🗓Itinerary Arrangement: Free attraction, although not very large, you can spend half a day if you are taking travel photos. There is a park nearby for leisure; 🌟Highlights: Uyghur-style architecture and intangible cultural heritage.

The Gaotai Residential Area is also broadly considered part of the ancient city of Kashgar, but it is now operated separately from the Old City Scenic Area. The two are very close, separated only by Tuman Road. Both are free to enter. The Gaotai Residential Area is much smaller than the Old City, but their architectural styles are consistent. There are fewer tourists here, allowing for more free exploration. The residential area is distinctly divided into two parts upon entering through the main gate. The front half has been fully renovated and features various specialty shops, including homestays, restaurants, cafes, as well as pottery, brick carvings, Atlas silk, carpets, leather boots, jams, honey, and even blacksmith and tobacco shops. Many of the shop owners are original residents (though some are outsiders doing business). The other half of the area retains the original state of the old houses, with crumbling walls and ruins, and it is unclear if further restoration will take place.

According to local customs, when a family increases by a generation and a male child is born, the family must negotiate with neighbors and seek their consent before they can add another floor to the ancestral house. This practice is passed down through generations and is irreversible. Therefore, the residences in Gaotai are also known as 'Unity Buildings'. Coincidentally, the word 'Uyghur' itself means 'unity, alliance, assistance'. This not only reflects the mutual respect, tolerance, and adherence to etiquette among the residents of Gaotai but also the principle that one cannot occupy space without the neighbors' consent. The dwellings in Gaotai are imbued with a rich folk culture. Most of the renovated houses have been rented out and turned into various small shops, including specialty craft galleries, cafes, beauty photography studios, book bars, guesthouses, etc., offering a wide variety. There are also many inheritors of intangible cultural heritage, who support their families with their crafts, such as pottery, medicinal teas, cobblers, weaving workshops, Yengisar knives, brick carvings, plaster sculptures, printed and dyed fabrics, Mohe tobacco, blacksmithing, and more

Gaotai Residential Area is a Uyghur residential community located on a high loess cliff over 40 meters high and more than 800 meters long at the northeast end of the old city of Kashgar, Xinjiang. It has a history of 600 years and is a major landscape in Kashgar that showcases ancient Uyghur residential architecture and folk customs. As a traditional historical district with typical ancient Western Regions characteristics, the old city residences are mostly made of earth and wood, or brick and wood, and are important physical evidence for studying the living customs and architectural features of ethnic minorities. Nowadays, there are no longer any locals living in the old city, and the original houses have become dilapidated. In recent years, after renovation, they have all been turned into shops, but the buildings still retain the characteristics of the Western Regions, most of the merchants are locals, and the goods are mostly of Uyghur ethnic characteristics. The scenic area has preserved a section of the Gaotai residential ruins exhibition area, where visitors can still feel the vicissitudes of history.

Unlike the beautiful scenery of Northern Xinjiang, Southern Xinjiang boasts a majestic and solemn beauty. It's the sacred tranquility of the Pamir Plateau, the exotic charm of the ancient city of Kashgar, and the secrets of the Kunlun Mountains discovered along the Karakoram Highway built on permafrost. 🌟Day 1 Itinerary Kashgar Old Town (Nariman Slow Homestay 'TV Tower Location' - Bayi Laoye's Home 💰45 - Corner Coffee 'Reba's Same Air Garden' - Id Kah Mosque - My Great-Great-Grandfather's Naan 'Original Flavor Naan is Super Delicious' - Rainbow Alley - Sackcloth Alley) ➡️ Gaotai Residential Houses 🌟Day 2 Itinerary Red Mountain Valley (Parking is difficult in the wild scenic area) ➡️ White Sand Lake (Photo with yaks 💰20, very windy) ➡️ Karakul Lake (Ticket 💰45 per person, the scenic area feels small, but with good weather, you can see the reflection of Mustagh Ata, not so worthwhile with bad weather) 🌟Day 3 Itinerary Khunjerab Pass (Very high altitude, now you cannot view it up close) ➡️ Wakhan Corridor (The junction of three countries, with war-torn areas on one side and peaceful years on the other) ➡️ Panlong Ancient Path ➡️ Band-e Amir Blue Lake (The top lake in Southern Xinjiang in my heart, indescribably beautiful) 🌟Day 4 Itinerary Mustagh Ata Glacier Park (Ticket 💰43, Shuttle 💰50, Horse ride up the mountain one-way 💰100, you should visit the No. 4 ancient glacier, altitude 4600+, we were already adapted to the high altitude on the third day so we felt fine) ➡️ Mud Volcano Crater of Muztagh (A wild scenic area under development, both the ticket and shuttle are free, see a volcano without leaving the country, horseback ride round trip 💰80, the only downside is the 6-hour drive round trip, make sure to reserve enough time, the night road is very difficult to drive) 🌟Day 5 Itinerary Yengisar Village (Colorful doors, beautiful courtyards, unique ceramics, every household covered with grapevines and figs) ➡️ Yarkand (Yarkand Palace was not open, fewer people come to Yarkand, wander around the old town, children will stop and pose when they see you with a camera asking if they look handsome, and although the elderly may not speak Mandarin, they will excitedly clap and dance to show there is a performance nearby, where there is music, there are people singing and dancing, this city requires you to slow down and savor its charm) 🌟Day 6 Itinerary Taklamakan Desert N95 Camp (Ticket 💰30 'half price with a student ID', desert off-roading 💰200 'definitely try if budget allows, more thrilling in the front seat', desert motorcycle 💰100 'you can drive yourself', camel team 💰100) ➡️ Kashgar Old Town

If you come to Xinjiang, how can you miss Kashgar and take a stroll in Kashgar? Enter the Western Region you have never seen before Get lost in the streets of the ancient city of Kashgar Appreciate the intangible cultural heritage of Gaotai folk houses and experience the human fireworks of Cattle and Sheep Bazaar Itinerary: Day 1: All over the country--Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi--Tianshan Tianchi--Beitun Day 3: Beitun--Hemu Day 4: Hemuyi-Kanas Day 5: Kanas-Guanyuting Colorful Beach-Burqin Day 6: Burqin--Urhe Devil City 1--Dushanzi Grand Canyon--Kuitun Day 7: Kuitun - Sailimu Lake - Lavender Base - Yining Day 8: Yining - Kazanqi Folk Culture Village - Nalati Day 9: Nalati-Bayinbuluk Day 10: Bayinbuluke-Duku Highway-Dialongchi, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, and Kuqa Day 11: Kuqa--Wensu Grand Canyon--Aksu Day 12: Aksu--Bachu Red Bay--Kashgar Day 13: Kashgar - Baisha Mountain - Baisha Lake - Karakul Lake - Taxkorgan Day 14: Taxkorgan-Golden Grass Beach-Stone City-Oytak Glacier Park-Kashgar Day 15: Kashgar Ancient City - Return to the 100-year-old teahouse of Id Kah Mosque Day 16: Kashgar 1 - Shache Prefecture - Ihotan Day 17: Hotan--Yotegan Ancient City--Minfeng Day 18: Minfeng--Back to the desert highway--original return to Populus euphratica Park_Luntai Day 19: Luntai--Back to the Rob Village--Korla Day 20: Korla--Heshuo Golden Beach 1--Turpan Day 21: Turpan - Flame Mountain - Karez - Back to Grape Valley. Urumqi Day 22: Urumqi - all over the country

I have finally arrived at the Gaotai Residences on the other side of the Anywhere Door Kashgar—a dream of the Western Regions Stepping into Kashgar, it's as if I see the footsteps of Xuanzang, hear the bugle of Ban Chao, and the bustle of the Eastern Cairo market In the long river of history, there are legends, there are stories Let's walk into the filming location of 'The Kite Runner'—the Gaotai Residences in Kashgar About 85% of the scenes in the movie 'The Kite Runner' were shot in the Gaotai Residences, but the Gaotai Residences are not a traditional tourist spot, but rather a place where the local Uyghur people have lived for generations. ❤️Why did 'The Kite Runner' choose this small Chinese city for filming? Because 'The Kite Runner' encountered difficulties in selecting filming locations, at that time Afghanistan was in the midst of war, and it was not possible to shoot in Kabul as planned, so the production team chose the Gaotai Residences, which are very similar to the cityscape of Kabul, as the location for outdoor shooting. ✅Highlights of the Gaotai Residences 1️⃣Preserved complete earthen architecture ruins area If you want to see old Kashgar buildings, locals will recommend the Gaotai Residences. This is the only remaining earthen architecture complex in Kashgar, which has been restored over several years and reopened to the public in 2023. Although the scenic area is not large, it is filled with the rich folk culture of Kashgar, more simple and primitive than the ancient city of Kashgar Many residents' courtyards in the Gaotai Residences have been passed down through six or seven generations to the present, retaining many old houses from hundreds of years ago. For hundreds of years, as generations have lived here, the houses have been built up layer by layer, getting higher and higher. With each new generation born, the old house is raised by one level. Some residents, due to the small living space, make full use of the walls of two houses to build one or two earthen rooms that span across the alley, forming the uniquely scenic over-street buildings or half-street buildings, which do not affect the pedestrians walking below, nor the residents living above. 2️⃣Intangible cultural heritage workshops There are many inheritors of intangible cultural heritage here, who support their families with their craftsmanship, such as pottery, weaving workshops, blacksmithing, printed and dyed cloth, etc. The old grandfathers sit at their workstations, where they have been for decades, even their grandfathers' grandfathers were doing the same thing in the same place, the heritage is vividly embodied here. 🎫Ticket: No tickets required, no reservation needed 📍Location: Opposite the eastern district of Kashgar Old City

Gaotai Residential Area is a Uyghur residential community built on a loess high cliff more than 40 meters high and over 800 meters long at the northeast end of the old town of Kashgar, Xinjiang. It has a history of 600 years and is a major landscape for displaying ancient Uyghur residential architecture and folk customs in Kashgar. The soul of Kashgar Old Town lies in the old town, and the essence of the old town is the Gaotai Residential Area. The 'Gaotai Residential Area' only occupies one-tenth of the area of Kashgar's old town, yet it almost encompasses all the architectural styles of the old town. Gaotai Residential Area is a Uyghur residential community built on a loess high cliff more than 40 meters high and over 800 meters long at the northeast end of the old town of Kashgar, Xinjiang, with a history of 600 years. The characteristic residential buildings here are mostly made of earth and wood, and they are important physical evidence for studying the living customs and architectural features of ethnic minorities, as well as one of the mysterious colors of Kashgar Old Town. The high cliff has existed for two thousand years, and more than a thousand years ago, Uyghur ancestors built houses and settled here. It is said that the famous Eastern Han generals Ban Chao and Geng Gong once left their footprints here. In the mid-9th century, during the Karakhanid Dynasty, the royal palace was built on the north side of this high cliff, and the current Gaotai Residential Area was built on the south cliff. Koziya Beyxi - in Uyghur, meaning 'high cliff pottery house', has developed over a thousand years of history, forming a unique residential architecture with hundreds of years of history on the high cliff. The Uyghurs of Kashgar have been living here for generations, building their houses against the cliff. As the family population increases with each generation, they add another floor on top of their ancestors' houses. Generation after generation, houses connect to houses, floors to floors, layer upon layer. A single residential house is a family history of reproduction, livelihood, rise and fall, and the continuation of descendants. The Uyghurs have a strong sense of clan, and the core of their residential culture is the attachment to home and homeland, so many residential houses have been passed down through seven or eight generations. Some large residential compounds have as many as ten or twenty rooms, with several generations living together in one courtyard, truly embodying the concept of 'four generations under one roof'. Here, you can see everywhere 'over-street houses', 'half-street houses', and 'suspended houses' built over the crossroads of alleys, which look like watchtowers or blockhouses standing in the alleys from a distance. These unplanned, randomly built houses upon houses, and houses outside houses, are arranged into deep, crisscrossing, winding, and undulating alleys of Kashgar's Gaotai Residential Area. Walking along any path inside the alley, you can see the large gates of residential courtyards built along the alley, opening against the outer wall, with each household right next to each other. Gaotai Residential Area has a strong Uyghur architectural style, which has been influenced by Islamic culture under the unique environment and natural conditions of Kashgar, and has gradually formed over hundreds of years of historical evolution. Gaotai Residential Area is rugged, densely populated, with many alleys, crisscrossing in all directions. It is praised by tourists from home and abroad as the 'living folk museum of the Uyghur people' and represents the connotation and historical heritage of Kashgar, a famous historical and cultural city in China.

🆓 From February 10th to 24th, all state-owned A-level tourist attractions in Xinjiang will implement a free ticket policy! There are a total of 399 scenic spots, so I will introduce some famous scenic spots to everyone 👇🏻 💟Urumqi Ama Long Fantasy Park, Urumqi Water Park, Tianshan Grand Canyon, Xinjiang Silk Road International Resort and other 22 scenic spots 💟Yili Kuerdening Scenic Area, Narati National Wetland Park Scenic Area, Shata Scenic Area, Kazan Folk Tourism Area, Tangbula Scenic Area, Chaxi-Tarim Scenic Area, Swan Spring Scenic Area, Zhaosu Yuhu Scenic Area and other 51 scenic spots 💟Hami Hami Pterosaur-Yadan Dahai Road Scenic Area, Yiwu County Yishui Garden Scenic Area and other 8 scenic spots 💟Turpan Grape Gully Scenic Area, Kumutage Desert Scenic Area, Kanerjing Park, Kanerjing Folk Park, Turpan Museum, Flaming Mountain Scenic Area, Dajiao River Scenic Area, Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves and other 38 scenic spots 💟Aksu area Wetland Park, Huanggong Lake Desert Lake Tourist Resort, Moon Bay Gobi Wetland Hot Spring Tourist Resort, Kuche Palace, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, Moon Bay, Kizil Grottoes, Tianshan Tuomuer Grand Canyon Scenic Area, Quanyu Star Sky International Ski Resort·Four Seasons Tourist Resort and other 63 scenic spots 💟Kashgar area Kashgar Ancient City Scenic Area, Xiangfei Garden Scenic Area, Gaotai Residential Tourism Scenic Area, Zhang Qian Park, Xiangfei Lake National Wetland Park Scenic Area, Zepu County Jinhu Yang Scenic Area and other 57 scenic spots 💟Changji Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area, Jiangbulak Scenic Area, Jimsar County Thousand Buddha Cave Scenic Area, Mulei Grassland Kanerjing Scenic Area, Guhai Hot Spring and other 39 scenic spots 💟Tacheng area Mud Volcano Scenic Area, Wusu City Wulasitai Tourism Scenic Area, Yemili Ancient City Ruins, Shawan City Forest Park and other 50 scenic spots 💟Altay area Koktokay Scenic Area, Koktokay National Mine Park Scenic Area, Jimunai County Saerwulong Village Scenic Area and other 33 scenic spots 💟Karamay Ke No.1 Well Scenic Area, Dushanzi Grand Canyon and other 15 scenic spots 💟Bortala Sailimu Lake Scenic Area, Bole City Dalet Ancient City Ruins and other 35 scenic spots 💟Bayingolin Luobu People's Village, Seven Star Buddha Temple Ruins Scenic Area and other 21 scenic spots 💟Hotan area Cele County Dama Gou Buddhist Cultural Ruins, Hotan City Desert Poplar Scenic Area, Yutian County Daliyabuyi Scenic Area, Luopu County Yulong Bay Scenic Area, Cele County Sahara Bi Lake Scenic Area and other 31 scenic spots 💟Kizilsu Baisha Mountain-Baisha Lake Scenic Area, Baishan Lake Wetland Park Scenic Area and other 17 scenic spots 🆓In addition, I have also shared with you the free scenic spots across the country, covering the Spring Festival, and I will share some scenic spots with you again 👇🏻 💟Dunhuang Mingsha Mountain·Yueya Spring, Yumen Pass, Yadan National Geological Park Scenic Area Free Tickets 💟Tibet Potala Palace, Basongtso, Namtso and other 89 scenic spots 💟Ziyang Anyue Stone Carving·Yuanjue Cave Scenic Area, Anyue Grottoes·Wofu Temple Scenic Area will be open to tourists nationwide for free

The bustling and noisy old city of Kashgar makes you want to be quiet? Don't like commercialization and want to experience the beauty of ancient city architecture? Then it's really better to cross the road to the Gaotai residential area on the opposite side. Gaotai residential area is a newly rebuilt attraction, admission is free but reservation is needed, there are few tourists inside, but the architecture is really distinctive, brick carvings and wood carvings are gorgeous and exquisite, full of Western Region style. The meaning of Gaotai residential area in Uighur language is the clay pottery people on the cliff, inside are houses connected to houses, buildings connected to buildings, layer upon layer of layout. The labyrinthine alleys and unique house architecture together constitute the residential spectacle, which is the only labyrinthine city with Uighur characteristics in China. After entering, you will find that a residential area has several exits, different exits correspond to different alleys, which is quite interesting. Want to avoid the crowd to take pictures, this place is really good.

Charter a tour of the Gaotai residences in winter There are very few tourists in the off-season, basically no one The immersive experience is really cool This is a refurbished ancient Uyghur residence It embodies the essence of earth architecture over hundreds of years Every brick and every door exudes a historical atmosphere In addition to being a great place for photo ops It is also a workshop for many intangible cultural heritages in southern Xinjiang Pottery, woodenware, Yengisar knives, mulberry paper, Bronze ware, blacksmithing, Adras, etc. Deeply appreciate, experience, understand and feel the charm of traditional culture in southern Xinjiang Fall in love with this place, like a journey through time and space

Kashgar Travel Guide Kashgar, a city full of historical and cultural heritage, its beauty and charm are irresistible. This time, I will take you to appreciate the unique style of Kashgar and step into this fascinating ancient city. Kashgar Old City Stepping into the old city of Kashgar is like traveling back to ancient times. The streets here are like a maze, but don't worry about getting lost. Remember that the road bricks are hexagonal for the main road, and the bricks are quadrilateral for the dead end. Stroll in the streets of the ancient city and feel the simplicity and tranquility. 🕌 Aitigaer Mosque The Aitigaer Mosque is one of the iconic buildings of Kashgar. Stepping into the mosque, you can feel the sanctity and solemnity. The sun shines through the dome and illuminates the entire temple, inspiring awe. Xiangfei Tomb The Tomb of Xiangfei is a tomb full of legendary colors. It is said that Xiangfei was the favorite concubine of Emperor Qianlong, and she was buried here after her death. Stepping into the Tomb of Xiangfei, it's like traveling back to that prosperous era, feeling the heaviness of history. Gaotai Residential Houses Gaotai Residential Houses is an ancient residential community in Kashgar. The architectural style here is unique, and each house is full of the traces of time. Walking in the Gaotai Residential Houses is like stepping into a historical picture scroll. 🛍️ Kashgar East Bazaar (Kashgar Central and West Asia International Trade Market) The East Bazaar of Kashgar is one of the largest trade markets in Kashgar. Here, you can buy various handicrafts, special snacks, and local specialties. Stroll around this bustling market and feel the local atmosphere of Kashgar. ️ Old City Streets In the streets of the old city, you can taste various special snacks, such as grapes, naan, and sheep milk ice cream. At the same time, there are many coffee shops and tea houses here, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the leisurely afternoon. Travel Tips: Ticket Price: The ticket price is 30 yuan/person. Accommodation Price: The accommodation price varies depending on the guesthouse and homestay, but many guesthouses and homestays are very enthusiastic and the prices are relatively reasonable. Check-in Locations: Opening Ceremony, Century-old Teahouse, Old City Corner Coffee Shop, Aitigaer Mosque, Xiangfei Tomb, Gaotai Residential Houses, Kashgar East Bazaar and the streets of the old city. Food Recommendations: Taste various special snacks in the old city, such as grapes, naan, and sheep milk ice cream. Safety Precautions: Pay attention to personal and property safety during the trip, abide by local laws and regulations and cultural customs. Transportation: If you plan to visit multiple attractions, you can choose to charter a car or rent a car; if you are just planning to visit individual attractions, you can choose to take a bus or taxi. Sun and Heat Protection: Kashgar has strong sunlight, so you need to do a good job of sun and heat protection, bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, etc. Take Photos: Remember to take more photos during the trip!

🌟Highlights: The Gaotai Houses are located at the northeast end of the ancient city of Kashgar, built on a loess cliff over 40 meters high and more than 800 meters long, with a history of more than 600 years. The Uighur people have lived here for generations, and the houses are built along the cliff, forming the ancient loess ruins we see today. Only here can you truly feel the pulse of ancient Kashgar from the unique houses. Since it was closed for construction in 2016, it has now reopened. In this renovation of the old city, no large-scale renovation has been carried out, and the most authentic historical appearance is still retained, which has become the last group of loess buildings in Kashgar today. 👍Most recommended: Gaotai Houses, Uighur name 'Kuiziqiyabeixi Lane', meaning clay pottery on the cliff, praised by Chinese and foreign tourists as 'the living folk museum of the Uighur people'. As the only remaining loess building group in Kashgar, the architecture here represents a natural architectural aesthetics, which is the simplest expression in architecture. All the renovated buildings in the scenic area are based on the original terrain and architecture for renovation, decorated without breaking the historical appearance. The lanes in the ancient city are crisscrossed and randomly built between the buildings, like a huge maze. The traditional Uighur residents who have lived here for generations have all supported their families with one craft. These crafts have been passed down and inherited, forming nearly twenty intangible cultural heritages, such as clay pottery, leather hats, wooden utensils, medicinal tea, jam, weaving workshops, Yingjisha small knives, soil yogurt, printed and dyed cloth, copperware, musical instruments, blacksmithing and other handicraft industries, so most of the renovated houses in the city have become small shops with folk customs. ✅In the second half of the city, there are still the weather-beaten residential ruins, and you can go up to the high platform to see the whole view. The Gaotai Houses Scenic Area is a mirror of the cultural changes in Kashgar over the generations. Every inch of land here is filled with the rich folk culture of Kashgar. The reopening not only presents the historical folk culture of Kashgar more intuitively to the public, but also allows this intangible cultural heritage that the Uighur people are proud of to be better continued. 🎫Ticket information: Currently free to enter and visit, it takes about 1.5-2 hours to go around. It is recommended to watch the opening ceremony of the East City Gate, and then go to the Gaotai Houses, so you can avoid the flow of people to the ancient city. 🚉Traffic strategy: The Gaotai Houses are diagonally opposite the east gate of the ancient city of Kashgar, and it takes seven or eight minutes to walk. Take bus No. 20, No. 6, etc. in Kashgar city and get off at Liangyashi Market Station, and walk about 500 meters to get there.

📍Located right across from the old city of Kashgar, it is said to have been fully repaired and opened to the public this year, and currently no admission fee is required. 🕌This used to be an old residential area with a history of over 600 years, very characteristic of the local area, and very photogenic. In addition to the old houses, there are also local specialty products, such as pottery and the like, with QR codes that can be scanned for explanations. Some houses can be climbed to see the view, you might find a good spot. 📸The deepest part retains some relics, which are the appearance of the earth houses before the renovation, which are still very characteristic. 👍I personally think it is quieter here than in the old city of Kashgar. Gaotai Houses Old City of Kashgar

The GaoTai houses are located in the northeast of the old city of Kashgar, built on a loess cliff over 40 meters high and more than 800 meters long, formed in the 16th century. In Uighur, GaoTai houses are called 'Kuoku Siya Beixi', which means 'pot on the cliff'. The houses here are made of mud and poplar, and there are overpass buildings, small alleys, and workshops everywhere, and there are earthen buildings everywhere. Now it has not officially opened after the transformation. There are already some shops in operation and can be visited. However, some areas are still under renovation.

The tomb of Apokhaho (the tomb of Tomb of the Tomb) is lonely, the history of Kashgar, the mosques of Etihad and the high-rise houses, what is the old town of Muir and Khamman Bazar, the place is said to have been spent by the government. Silver is a new AAAA-level scenic spot, but I don't recommend it. You see, the Ferris wheel by the Tuman River. How many people are there to sit? There is also the Central and Western Asia International Grand Bazaar, just buy and buy dried fruit, just what history, humanities and folk customs, you do not expect to see.

When did the rise of Kashgar start? I am not able to learn more about it. Buddhism was introduced to Xinjiang in the 1st century AD. The Buddhist civilization, the Indian civilization, the Greek civilization and the Chinese civilization collided and merged at the intersection of the north and south of the Silk Road, creating a city of pearls, Kashgar. Kash, like the mysterious dreamland, the stunning western town, walked into her, as if walking into a deep but colorful world of aliens. The surface of the ruined high-rise houses, in fact, the interior is still full of vitality, the old man sitting quietly along the wall, enjoying the baptism of the Qur'an in the sun, the children in the alley are playing, accidentally laughing and drifting away, wrapped Women with beautiful headscarves sit on the bed in the courtyard, or busy with the work in their hands, or chat and gossip. Every day that the old city has passed away is deeply printed on the stone steps. Even the dome of the Xingyue Castle, the gorgeous tapestry and the golden pillars seem to be fixed at a certain time in the distant history. And I am just a spectator of this solid history.

The Gaotai residence is located at the northeastern tip of the old town of Kashgar. Only here, you can truly feel the pulse of the ancient Kashgar from the strange houses. The Uighurs here live in generations, and the houses are built on the cliffs. The generations are one generation, the rooms are connected, the buildings are connected, and the floors are stacked.