Kashgar is situated in the southwest of Xinjiang and borders the Taklamakan desert in the east. As the first point of arrival on land routes from Pakistan and Kirgyzistan it was a significant stop on the ancient Silk Road for a long time. For thousands of years it has been on of the oldest and richest oasis in the Tarim Basin. In the streets and the homes here one can see and feel the Turkestan influence. The old streets, restaurants and markets here are great for exploring.

The best time to travel is between August and September, when the harvest time comes.

Distances from Beijing and Shanghai

Beijing to Dunhuang - about 2900 KM
Beijing to Urumuqi - about  3760KM

Shanghai to Dunhuang - about  3200KM
Shanghai to Urumuqi - about  4070KM

Plane and Train information
Plane:
Beijing to Dunhuang             
One flight a day (07:40-10:50)
Dunhuang to Turpan             
One train a day (20:16-08:32)
Urumqi to Kashgar               
Three flights a day -(18:50-20:30),(20:20-22:00) or(21:05-22:45)
Kashgar to Urumqi               
Three flights a day -(11:00-12:40), (11:00-12:55) or (16:05-17:45)
Urumqi to Beijing                 
Two flights a day -(14:30-18:15) or (15:15-18:40)

Shanghai to Dunhuang - No direct flight between Shanghai to Dunhuang. People departing from Shanghai will have  to fly to Xi’an and then transfer to Dunhuang)

Shanghai Pudong to Xi’an     One flight a day (08:15-10:35)
Xi’an to Dunhuang                One flighta a day (13:35-15:55)
Dunhuang to Turban                One train a day (20:16-08:32)
Urumqi to Kashgar                  Three flights a day (18:50-20:30), (20:20-22:00) or (21:05-22:45)
Kashgar to Urumqi                  Two flights a day (11:00-12:40) or (11:00-12:55)
Urumqi to Shanghai Hongqiao  One flight a day(15:20-20:05)

Train:
Beijing toUrumuqi                  T69 (18:44-10:50)   40hours 6 minutes
Urumuqi to Beijing                 T70 (20:03-13:38)   41hours 35minutes

Shanghai to Urumuqi            T52(20:48-15:17)     42 hours and 29 minutes
Urumuqi to Shanghai            T51(18:57-14:49)     43 hours and 52 minutes

Distances between each city and road conditions
Dunhuang —Turban              940KM    by overnight train   12 hours 16 minutes
Turban —Urumuqi                150KM     highway                2.5-3 hours
Kashgar—Karakuri lake        396KM    city roads              4-4.5 hours
Karakuri Lake —Tashkorgan  192KM   city roads              2-2.5 hours

5 km northeast of Kashgar, one can find the Abakh Khoja Tomb, in China better known as the Tomb of Xiang Fei. It is admired as a well-preserved Islamic architectural complex throughout Central Asia.

The Id Kah Mosque, located on the central square in Kashgar, is the largest mosque in China. It is a group of old Islamic constructions with strong ethnic style and religious features. Every day thousands of worshippers come to this sacred place to celebrate.

In the northeastern outskirts of the city, the Kashgar Grand Bazaar is located. It is the largest trading market for agricultural products in Xinjiang. Here one can find some stalls that sell everything while others specialize and sell local produce, arts and crafts, garments, knives, timber, coal and animals.

It is offensive to shake water off your wet hands in public.

Protect yourselves against the elements in all seasons. Be careful about your drinking water. Boil it first.

Bring your camera as there are many very scenic spots in Turpan.

Though the 'clock time' in Xinjiang is just the same as the rest of China, in fact there is a two hour difference in longitude between Urumqi and Beijing. For this reason the daily working hours are: 10:00 - 14:00, 15:30 - 19:30
While in Urumqi, you should modify you rest and dining times to be two hours later than if you were in a city in Middle China, otherwise you might feel out of step with local life. But don't forget that bus, train and flights all adopt Beijing Time. If you booked a flight to arrive or depart Urumqi at around 08:00, then you may find it is quite dark at that time. Please keep this in mind when making reservations.

People
Ninety percent of the residents in Kashgar are of Uygur ethnic. As most Uygur people believe in Islam, Kashgar is a city full of Islamic flavor. There are nearly 10,000 mosques, with Hetgah Mosque being the most famous one.

Festivals

A Kashgar Uygur

Eid al Fitr （festival of breaking the fast）
EID-UL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan?

Eid al Adha
The Festival of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) is one of two major Islamic celebrations and takes place on the tenth day of the Islamic month Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims from around the world make an annual pilgrimage to Makkah in order to worship Allah and to commemorate the willingness of the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) to sacrifice his son Ishmael in response to a command from God.

Food
Roast Whole Lamb、Shish kebab、Roast Steamed Stuffed Buns、Sin Kiang Lamb Rice、hand-pulled noodle、Nang、grilled fish and so on. Dairy food includes cow milk, goat milk, horse milk, fresh cream, buttermilk, dried and fresh curds, yogurt, and fermented milk. These are both food and drink.

Shopping
Kashgar is full of folk arts and crafts, carpet、Yingjisha Pocket-knives、Aidelaisi Silk、jewelry、all kinds of folk music instruments. Since you are in the hometown of fruit now, fruit certainly should be on your list. Guava, almond, fig, grape, melons are all very famous.