Other places of interest in China

Artush : Forty kilometres from Kashgar, Artush is the administrative center for the Kizilesu Kyrgyz Autonomous County. Outside the town is the Sultanjiamai Mosque and the tomb of the first ruler of Kashgar to convert to Islam - Satuq Bugara Khan – although the original, grand, edifice was destroyed in an earthquake and the modern one is fairly recent.

Karakul (or Karakuri) Lake : is known as the father of glaciers. Lying at an altitude of 3600 meters above sea level, at the foot of Mount Maztagata, it offers unspoiled, dramatic and spectacular natural scenery. The surface of the lake reflects the snow-covered peaks of Mount Muztagata, which towers in the background. There is the possibility to take hikes or walks in the surrounding area, especially in summer when flowers are in bloom and the air is fresh and pleasant. However, it can get very cold at this altitude. For a walk around the entire lake you will need a whole day – and it is possible to stay overnight in a yurts, or camping.

Taklamakan Desert : In the Tarim basin of Xinjiang province lies the Taklamakan Desert. This vast expanse of sand surrounded by lush oases was referred to in the time of the Han dynasty as “Liu sha” (= “moving sands”), due to the constantly drifting sand dunes driven by fierce, relentless winds. The modern name “Taklamakan” means in Uighur: “enter and never return”. Ancient cities once flourished in the areas now overtaken by the desert – and there have been many expeditions into the interior, which have found incredible treasures. There is a North South road crossing the desert which would have been a boon to explorers like Sven Hedin who nearly perished here, and it is possible to arrange a day trip from Kashgar, with the opportunity for a couple of hours riding camels to capture the atmosphere of both the Silk Road and the experiences of early explorers.

Yarkand : On the south-western edge of the Taklakamn Desert. At one time Yarkand was a more important trading center than Kashgar, but the modern day Yarkand is dominated by the “new”, Chinese, town – but to the east is the “Old” town, which has more colour and offers a more typical example of Uighur life and culture. 

Of note in the town are the Mausoleum of Aminashahan (a 16th century Uighur musician, poetess and wife of the Khan of Yarkand); the Tombs of the Kings of Yarkand, ; the Altyn Mosque and graveyard; the Yeti Sultan Mosque and Mazar; and the Wenhau park. There are other mausoleums in the surrounding environs. Yarkand also has a Sunday Market – not as famous as Kashgar’s and smaller than Hotan’s.

Outside the town are the Mazars, (mausoleums) of Hajiman Deng, the Sud Pasha and Hayzi Terper.

Unfortunately the road from Yarkand to Tashkurgan is closed to foreigners.

Yengisar : South of Kashgar – on the road around the Taklakaman Desert famous as a center for making knives.