Kashgar sits in the Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang, near China's borders with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and has served for centuries as an oasis on the Silk Road linking China with Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The old city is the heart of a visit: a dense quarter of lanes and courtyards that most travellers use as their mental map of the place.
For a visitor, the practical layout is simple. The old city and the area around the Id Kah Mosque form the centre, and most of what you will want to see on foot is here. Beyond it lie the newer Chinese-built city, the Seman Road corridor, and outlying Uyghur villages. This guide covers the areas worth using as a base, and what each is like to stay in.
Best areas to stay in Kashgar
1. Kashgar Ancient City and the Id Kah Mosque area
This is the old city itself, with the central mosque as its anchor and the lanes of the historic quarter around it. It suits first-time visitors best, because you can step out of your accommodation and be among the sights rather than travelling to them. You find small guesthouses and hostels here, along with a handful of hotels on the edge of the old town.
One practical point: the old city is compact and walkable, but some accommodation sits right on its edge rather than inside it, so check which side of the boundary you are on before booking.
2. Seman Road
Seman Road is a corridor of its own, at the crossroads with Nuoerbeixi, and it holds several long-established places to stay in buildings with a diplomatic past. It suits travellers who want a central-ish base with a range of options from dorm beds to doubles, and who do not mind being a short ride from the old city rather than inside it.
You find both budget and mid-range accommodation along this road, including dorm-style rooms and simple doubles. It is a practical base rather than a scenic one, and it connects easily to the rest of the city.
3. The Uyghur village east of the lake
East of the centre, past the lake and the first roundabout, a Uyghur village sits about two kilometres from the ancient city. It suits budget travellers and those who prefer a quieter, more residential setting with plenty of places to eat nearby. Accommodation here is small-scale and informal.
The practical point is distance: you are outside the old city, so you will walk or take transport in, but the route is straightforward and the area has its own everyday life.
4. North Liberation Road, south of the Id Kah Mosque
This is a central address just south of the mosque, which puts you within easy reach of the old city on foot. It suits visitors who want a conventional hotel base close to the main sight rather than a guesthouse in the lanes. You find larger, more formal hotels here.
Because it is immediately south of the central mosque, this is one of the most convenient positions in the city for sightseeing on foot.
5. Renmin East Road
Renmin East Road is in the newer part of the city and is home to upscale international-standard accommodation. It suits travellers who want full hotel facilities and are happy to trade proximity to the old city for comfort and services. You find large hotels with restaurants, spas and business facilities here.
The trade-off is that you are in the modern city, not the historic quarter, so plan on taking transport to reach the old city and the mosque.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dorm beds in hostels and guesthouses, often with shared bathrooms and a communal courtyard or kitchen; some budget places also offer simple doubles, and breakfast may be included.
- Mid-range: straightforward hotels with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms, sometimes in older buildings with character, generally with a restaurant or breakfast service.
- Splurge: large international-standard hotels with spacious rooms, on-site restaurants, pools, spas and business facilities, located in the newer city.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the Kashgar Ancient City and Id Kah Mosque area. It puts the old city lanes and the central mosque within walking distance, which is what most first-time visitors come for, and it keeps you close to the everyday life of the historic quarter. From there you can easily reach the other parts of the city when you want to.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the Uyghur village area into the old city?
From the Chairman Mao statue, head east on the main street for about a kilometre to the lake, continue east past it for roughly 800 metres to the first roundabout, then continue about 300 metres and turn right into the village. The ancient city is about two kilometres away.
Is Seman Road within walking distance of the old city?
Seman Road is a separate corridor from the old city, so treat it as a short ride or a longer walk rather than an on-the-doorstep location. It is well connected to the rest of the city.
Where do I find the largest hotels in Kashgar?
The upscale, international-standard hotels are in the newer part of the city, on Renmin East Road and in the Duolaitebage Road area, rather than in the historic quarter.
Which area has the most places to eat nearby?
The Uyghur village east of the lake has many places to eat around it, and the old city area keeps you close to the everyday food of the historic quarter.
Compare live prices for the area you choose with the booking tools on this page before you commit.