Kashgar: Mosque, Bazaar and Culture

Cityscape and Market

The Id Kah Mosque stands west of Id Kah Square in Kashgar. The Kashgar Central Asian Trade Market, also known as the Kashgar Grand Bazaar, is in the center of Kashgar, on the banks of the Tuman River, west of the old town and east of Xiangfei Park. The square is the specific reference point for the mosque; for the market, it is the riverbank, old town and park. These are different scales for map orientation: the market is located using points within the city, while the park is located by direction, distance and additional details about nearby places. The bazaar remains a point of reference within the city; the five-kilometer distance, by contrast, places Xiangfei Park northeast of Kashgar and does not refer to the market.

The market showcases Uyghur handicrafts, traditional clothing and regional specialties; these offerings bring together handicraft, textile and regional themes. On January 20, 2015, the market was granted the status of a Category 3A scenic area. This classification is a dated historical designation.

Culture, Museums and Hands-On Activities

A notice dated February 24, 2026, lists four free daily guided tours of the permanent exhibitions at the Kashgar Prefecture Museum: “Echoes of the Western Regions · The Long Song of the Silk Road,” “Kunlun Melodies · Ancient Road Treasures” and “All Under Kunlun.” The titles emphasize different themes: the first mentions the Silk Road, the second Kunlun and treasures of ancient routes, and the third includes Kunlun in its title. This makes it possible to distinguish the three permanent exhibitions by their themes. As tour details may change, check the current schedule before your visit.

Xiangfei Park is five kilometers northeast of Kashgar, in Aizhirete Village in Haohan Township. It is dedicated to Xiangfei’s culture and tells her story from birth to death, as well as from Kashgar to Beijing. These two spans give the park’s theme a biographical and geographical framework: one follows a life, while the other names the places connected in the story. The park also includes a museum of the folk culture of the Western Regions. Check whether this museum is currently open before your visit.

A description dated June 15, 2026, mentions an experience shop in Kashgar’s Gao-Tai residential district. There, you can try pottery-making under guidance and paint pottery blanks. This is a hands-on introduction to ceramics, distinct from the guided tours of permanent exhibitions: here, you can take part yourself. The market focuses on product categories; the museum tours on permanent exhibitions; and the experience shop on practical pottery activities. These differences offer a concrete comparison of the types of experiences available.

Discover more destinations: Aksu, Changji, Bortala, Hotan, Kumul, Turpan, Altay, Bayingolin.

For the main travel overview: Xinjiang.