19 Sep 2025
🎭 The Ancient City & Morning Welcome Ceremony
Today, we finally set out to visit the Kashgar Ancient City (喀什古城) — one of the must-see icons of Xinjiang. Every day, there’s a welcome ceremony held at the East Gate, usually around 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Locals and visitors gather early to get the best viewing spots, but honestly, if you’re just there to soak in the energy, you can simply stroll over and enjoy the lively scene.
When we arrived, the taxi could only drop us off across the bridge since the main road had been closed for the ceremony. We walked toward the East Gate, surrounded by a sea of people. The show was about a Chinese envoy journeying westward to expand the Silk Road, a theme that fits Kashgar’s long-standing role as a Silk Road crossroads.
We watched for about ten minutes — the costumes were beautiful, the music was majestic — but under the blazing sun and crowd, we decided we weren’t the right audience that morning. Instead, we slipped away toward Gaotai Dwellings (高台民居) nearby.
🏘️ A Step Back in Time – Gaotai Dwellings
There weren’t many visitors when we entered — probably because everyone else was still watching the ceremony. The quiet made the place even more special.
We stopped by the first restaurant for breakfast — naan yogurt and “naan coffee.” The yogurt came with dried nuts and flower petals — pricey but honestly delicious. The coffee was a bit bitter, but it paired well with the morning chill.
Gaotai quickly became one of my favourite places in Kashgar. The sand-coloured earthen houses, small wooden doors, and narrow lanes felt timeless and peaceful. Even when more tourists arrived later, the place somehow stayed calm — maybe it’s the way the structures absorb sunlight or how the layered walls keep the air cool. The architecture here isn’t just aesthetic — it’s a practical response to Xinjiang’s desert climate, with shaded alleys and walls that block the harsh sun.
Inside, many homes have been turned into small craft shops. We wandered through stores selling camel-skin lamps, brassware, pottery, Yengisar knives, hulus, and antique trinkets. The air smelled faintly of leather and dust, like time itself had slowed down.
🧱 The Ancient City Wall
After wandering through the maze-like lanes, we eventually reached the Ancient City Wall. It should have felt majestic — and it did, in a way — but the modern railings and barriers around it slightly took away from the old-world charm. I understand the need to protect heritage sites (people can be careless, especially at popular spots), but it still made me wish I could see it unobstructed, just once.
Then, something unexpected caught my attention — pigeons wearing tiny feathered “socks.” Their feet looked fluffy and adorable! I couldn’t tell if it was a special breed or just how they looked naturally, but they instantly became one of my favourite memories from the day.
🍛 A Food and Jade-Filled Afternoon
After leaving Gaotai, we went to a nearby mall to look for a power bank and stopped by the China Telecom shop to get a local SIM card (read our SIM card guide here). On the way, we stumbled upon a cozy restaurant and ordered lamb pilaf (polo rice), lamb soup, and yogurt ice.
The lamb rice was rich and fragrant, though a bit oily for us; the soup had a slight sour tang (pretty typical here), and the yogurt ice — oh, that was perfect. Cold, creamy, and slightly tangy — exactly what we needed after a hot morning.
We then wandered through a quiet neighbourhood where locals chatted in courtyards shaded by grapevines. There were rows of jade shops, so of course, we couldn’t resist browsing. The variety was endless — from white jade bangles to green nephrite pieces — all beautifully crafted.
By late afternoon, we returned to our guesthouse to rest before heading back to the West City area for dinner.
🌇 Evening in the Ancient City
As the sun dipped, Kashgar turned golden. We wandered back into the Ancient City, grabbed some lamb skewers that were smoky and tender, and then tried something truly special — cranberry yogurt glutinous rice.
The combination was heavenly — the sweetness of cranberry sauce mellowed the yogurt’s sourness, and the chewy rice added such satisfying texture. After a long day of walking, it was the perfect ending.
We walked back through the glowing streets, filled with music, chatter, and the smell of grilled naan. Kashgar at night felt both ancient and alive — like time had folded in on itself.
🏛️ Historical and Cultural Background of Gaotai Minju
Gaotai Minju, or Gaotai Ancient Residences, is located in the northwestern corner of Kashgar’s Old Town. It’s one of the most distinctive traditional Uyghur residential areas in Xinjiang, built atop a 20-meter-high loess platform — hence the name Gaotai, which literally means “high terrace.”
These houses have a history of over 600 years, dating back to the Ming Dynasty or even earlier, possibly the Yuan Dynasty. In ancient times, residents built their homes on elevated ground to protect against floods, sandstorms, and extreme heat. The architecture combines rammed earth and wooden structures, forming a tightly packed neighborhood of multi-layered houses connected by narrow winding alleys — almost like a maze.
But Gaotai Minju is more than just an old neighborhood; it’s a living museum of Uyghur culture.
🏠 Most residents are Uyghur families who continue to live much as their ancestors did.
🎨 The homes feature carved wooden doors, colorful window frames, and intricate geometric patterns.
🌞 The architectural design is clever — cool in summer, warm in winter, and resistant to the desert’s harsh winds.
Historically, Gaotai was also home to many craftsmen and artisans, such as potters, copper smiths, knife makers, and woodcarvers, whose skills have been passed down for generations. Although some families have moved out, many still live here, keeping the neighborhood alive and authentic.
Gaotai Minju is precious not only for its old architecture but because it represents the soul of Kashgar’s thousand-year-old way of life.
💡 Travel Tips
✅ Ceremony Time: 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily at the East Gate.
🥵 Bring a Hat or Umbrella: It gets very sunny during the day.
💸 Food Prices: Expect slightly higher prices inside the Ancient City.
📱 Connectivity: Get your SIM card early; data helps with navigation.
🧣 Stay Cool: The mud-brick architecture keeps Gaotai surprisingly breezy even in midday heat.
🐦 Look Out for the Pigeons: You’ll know them when you see them.
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