On the way ...
Before we start writing about Kashi, let us tell you a little bit about the "lovely" 25 hours ride to here.
We booked for a "luxury" bus which includes sleeping bunks, it was a nice surprise to notice that the size of the beds are no more than the average adult Chinese height which means 150 cm, the width was about 45 cm. To make us more "comfortable", the beds were built in a diagonal way, the upper part of our body had to lay on a 30 degrees up, after a few hours on a bumpy vehicle, your ass kills you. At least we heard a loud Arabic music through almost the whole journey.
The scent was very "pleasant", it seems that nobody really care about a non smoking bus, and the fact that everybody has to take off their shoes made us feel even "better".
There was no Toilet inside, we almost didn't drink through this journey, they will not stop you for a break no matter what., except for lunch and very late dinner (01:30 AM).
We told ourselves, this is our last long distance bus we take here in China.
At least we can say we had the experience for taking this adventure.
Kashgar is a important hub on the Old Silk Road,a vibrant Islamic centre within Chinese territory. It is the largest oasis city in Chinese Central Asia and 90% of its population of over 3,000,000 are Uygur (an ethnic minority). Kashgar's importance derives from its stratehic position at the foot of the Pamir Mountains, commanding access to the high glacial passes of the Silk Road routes into Central Asia, India and Persia.
It has a history of more than 2'000 years, along this time it has been remarkably mentioned with its trading atmosphere.
Id Kah Mosque:
The Id Kah Mosque in uyghur language means Square of festival, Typical Uyghur structure, regarded biggest in China, located in the center of Kashar, it was built here first in 1442. For us it was a disappointing place, like the rest of chinese popular attractions this one was renovated as well. We couldn't enter inside because of the prayers.
The Old City:
Kashgar's old city is famed for its warren of stone streets, teetering, multi-storied mud houses, and lively commerce, parts of the city have been torn down, but the core of it remains and will likely continue to do so.
The town is located at a precipitous position with mud-thatched buildings densely built one atop another. Numerous small lanes crisscross the town and reach every corner of it. Inside the town, are those hundreds-year-old, most of which are two or three-storyed simple architecture. Usually, each house is equipped with a staircase leads to the building top. Some architecture is dilapidated which seems to collapse at any time.
Generaly:
This is the China that isn't China. In fact, there's little about Xinjiang's sprawling and inhospitable western region that resembles the Middle Kingdom (central Asia). Residents are predominantly Uighur Muslim, peppered with Kyrgyz, Kazak and other minority groups living in an area of mostly desert and mountain ranges.
Kashgar stimulated our senses, with its combinations between old and new (tall building next to the old city), unique faces all around, delicious different food, and of course the open spaces markets.
Unlike much of China's natural beauty, the region hasn't been devastated by the nation's growing tourism machine – though there are signs that is changing.
Sunday Market:
Every Sunday, people come from the surrounding villages near Kashgar to buy and sell their wares. The town multiples in size and the crowds are clogging the streets. Recently the town council has constructed a covered market, but there is still chaos to be found.
In the past this place had an important roll along the silk road traders, now it is a huge market but not very unique and different than any other small street market you can find in Kashgar city.
The livestock market was much more impressive for us. Traders from all around gather 10 km away from Kashgar, buying and selling Horses, Sheep, Camels, Cows, Donkeys and more.
Once again, we shared some nice experienced moments with Tal and Amit.
Have fun,
Efrat and Yoni.
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