The Tomb of Xiangfei is the most magnificent tomb in Kashgar, filled with history and symbolism. The tomb is commonly known among Chinese as the Tomb of Xiangfei, a Qing Dynasty Uigur woman who was seized by the Qing and forced to marry the Qianlong Emperor. However, the tomb is actually the tomb of her grandfather Bakh Hoja and his family (including Xiangfei).

Xiangfei, whose name means "Fragrant Concubine" is a great symbol to both the Uigur and Han peoples for different reasons. The Uigur see her as a Uigur herione and the Han people see her as heroine of anti-Qing and anti-feudal sentiment. Nevertheless, after Xiangfei died, which according to reports was a forced suicide ordered by the jealous Empress Dowager, her body was carried back to Abakh Hoja Tomb in Kashgar over a tedious three-year journey.

The buildings of the Hoja Tomb are large and mosque-like with most of the buildings colored with blue and white and topped with a green dome and small minarets. On the dome, there is a small minaret with a crescent symbol on the top. The tomb of Xiangfei herself lies on the northeast corner of the main tomb, with her name written in Chinese and Uigur. The tomb is covered with blue glazed bricks with beautiful patterns of blue flowers on a white background.

The Kashgar Grand Bazaar (Dabazha) (with exception of the Sunday Market) is the busiest part of the city. The market is a kind of agricultural market (Nongmao Shichang), that has expanded to include anything you can think of, inlcuding clothing, knives, and more.

As an expansion on the same theme, Kashgar is also home to a weekly Sunday Market (Xingqiri Shichang) that takes place on the northeastern outskirts of the city. Conservative estimates put that area at least 5,000 stalls that see traffic of around 100,000 people daily. The mixture of people of different ethnic backgrounds from all over Central Asia descending on Kashgar to trade and buy various wares give the market an incredible atmosphere, so it is worth braving the crowds. The goods available include pots and pans, clothing, utensils and knives, and even live animals such as donkeys, goats and horses.

Be cautious to protect yourself against pickpockets and bagslashers in these markets. It's quite easy to lose your passport and money in these crowded markets.

Karakuri Lake, known as the father of glaciers, sitting at an elevation of 3600 meters (1,1808 feet), is located at the foot of Mount Maztagata. It is an unspoiled place like Shangri-la for its dramatic and spectacular natural scenery. The surface of the lake reflects the snow-covered peaks of Mount Muztagata, which towers in the background. Hikes and walks around here is a kind of refreshing. Especially in summer, flowers bloom and the air is fresh and pleasant. However, it can get very cold at this altitude however, so bring extra clothing with you to keep warm. An entire walk around the lake need one day. You can also spend more time here, staying in the Kazakh Yurts or camping if you have your own tent.

The Id Kah Emin also known as the Id Kah Mosque (Aitigaer Qingzhensi) is the largest mosque in China and the religious center of Kashgar. The call to Prayer booming from the mosque can be heard throughout the city center. This is a rare thing in Socialist China. The ornate structure of today (renovated and expanded) is based on the original mosque which was built in 1442 for Shakesirmirzha, the ruler of Kashgar. The mosque, constructed of yellow brick, is easily recognizable from its dominant spot on the west side of Id Kah Square.

As long as it is not prayer time or religious holidays, tourists are allowed into the mosque. When you visit mosques, you should always remember that both men and women should always have their arms and legs fully covered. The best time to visit is probably early to mid-morning when there are few worshippers here.

As the center of religious activity in Kashgar, the area is typically full of pilgrims who have come to worship at the mosque. Sometimes, these pilgrims have religious activities right outside the temple, where they whip themselves into a frenzied dance accompanied by musicians playing from balconies of the Id Kah mosque.

The Grand Bazaar of Kashgar can be found by walking in a southwesterly direction from Id Kah Square. Other markets are also in the surrounding streets, such as a carpet market and a hat market. See our shopping overview for more.