Kashgar transforms into unique tourist destination blending history, modernity

Tourists select leather bags in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024.

The ancient city of Kashgar, located in southwestern Xinjiang, served as a vital transportation hub connecting China with Central Asia and South Asia in ancient times. The confluence of diverse ethnic cultures in this region has given rise to a wealth of historical and cultural treasures.

Today, Kashgar has harnessed its cultural and geographical advantages, transforming into a unique tourist destination that blends history and modernity.

In the first eight months of 2024, Kashgar received over 19.5 million domestic tourists, an increase of 29.46 percent year-on-year, and generated tourism revenue of nearly 15.35 billion yuan (about 2.18 billion U.S. dollars), up 38.83 percent. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A tourist poses for a photo in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Local residents enjoy their leisure time in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A tourist tries a headdress in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

This photo shows a view of a homestay with unique ethnic features in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

An ice cream maker gives a tourist her ice cream through magic tricks in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024.(Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Tourists visit a local residential building with more than 300 years of history in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Tourists visit the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Tourists visit a local residential building with more than 300 years of history in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A Uygur girl makes snacks in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A tourist buys local snacks in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Tourists visit the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

Copper wares are pictured in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A tourist buys pomegranate juice in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A tourist selects wool carpets in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)

A local cook introduces his food to tourists in the ancient city of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sept. 19, 2024.(Xinhua/Zhao Yusi)