(Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Qin Jinli) news: China Media Group (CMG) unveiled sub-venues for the 2024 Spring Festival Gala on January 4, 2024, and Xinjiang’s Kashi is one of the sub-venues. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are excited. This historic and cultural city has become the focus of attention.

Photo shows an overlooking view of the old town of Kashi, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Wu Yong)

As a major city for commerce on the ancient Silk Road, Kashi is still an important intersection of eastern and western economies and cultures. It not only has a rich history, but also a variety of wonderful folk customs, magnificent natural landscapes and a variety of specialty foods.

Unforgettable Kashi: A timeless and artistic gem

In this place with a history spanning over 2,000 years, people can still feel full of vitality.

More than 2,000 years ago, a royal emissary of the Han Dynasty named Zhang Qian, who was on a mission to the Western Regions, traveled all the way to "Shule City", at the south of the Tianshan Mountains, and he was amazed by the splendor of business here.

More than 1,000 years ago, Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang journeyed to the west and arrived in Shule City. He crossed the Congling Mountains (now the Pamir Plateau) and embarked on the Indian subcontinent.

Photo shows “Pantuo story” exhibition hall of Ban Chao memorial hall, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Dong Xiao)

The ruins of Pantuo City, with a history of more than two thousand years, still silently commemorate Ban Chao and the 36 warriors he led to maintain national unity.

On Gaotai, Geng Gong Temple stands tall, and Geng Gong’s story of repaying the country with supreme loyalty has been passed down from generation to generation.

Photo shows scenery of Moer Temple ruins. (Photo by Jin Wei)

Ruins of the Moer Temple, located at the northeast part of Kashi City, tell the story of the spread and prevalence of Buddhism in ancient Xinjiang. Ruins of Laining City in located at the northwest part of Kashi City remind people of the Wanshou Palace and Guandi Temple in ancient times.

Photo shows splendid sunshine scenery of the Gaotai Ancient Homes scenic area, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Li Xinbao)

Known as the "living folk museum," the Gaotai Ancient Homes scenic area still shows the strong atmosphere of culture that has been circulating for thousands of years.

For more than two thousand years, the old town of Kashi has had a splendid and rich cultural heritage, shining with the glory of civilization at all times.

Charming folk culture of Kashi

There is a saying that if you haven't been to Kashi, you haven’t been to Xinjiang. Kashi’s charm comes from its unique folk culture and vibrant atmosphere.

On the commercial street, handmade carpets with colorful patterns such as "pomegranate flowers" and "badam flowers" hang all over the street walls.

Photo shows copper wares in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by www.zgkashi.com)

In the copper store, a fifth-generation craftsman makes copper plates, copper pots and basins.

In the blacksmith bazaar, an elder blacksmith was immersed in making copper wares.

In the woodware bazaar, gourd products and instruments made by carpenters were popular with visitors.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of industries and increasingly frequent cultural exchanges, many traditional handicrafts in Kashi are constantly innovated, with distinct ethnic characteristics and strong local characteristics, which are treasures of Chinese art.

Photo shows people perform Dolan dance. (Photo by Yilamjan Amar)

In Kashi, Muqam art is the most brilliant gem, which integrates various languages and artistic forms such as music, literature and dance, and is a unique art in the world. Nowadays, the Daolang Muqam is still popular in the cities and villages of Kashi.

Photo shows a villager makes ethnic musical instruments at an ethnic musical instrument workshop in Tuwankewukusak Village, Shufu County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Li Rui)

In the ethnic instrument village, various ethnic instruments are popular, such as Tambur, Dutar, Rawap, Satar, and Gijak.

In the century-old tea house in the old town of Kashi, people drink tea, taste fruits, enjoy music and dance performances and chat with each other, continuing the story of the Silk Road.

Photo shows Ayiwang (a kind of Uygur architecture) in the old town of Kashi, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Zhao Jianguo)

Traditional Ayiwang dwellings are well preserved. The original appearance of these ancient residential buildings has been preserved in the old town and they have been renovated and reinforced.

Photo shows doppa at a market in Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by WeChat Official Account of the old town of Kashi)

Colorful Atlas dresses, colorful doppa, and diverse and beautiful clothings show the wisdom and aesthetics of various ethnic groups in Kashi.

Photo shows an oil painting street in the old town of Kashi, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (File photo)

People dance in the streets and alleys, chatting and laughing happily.

Kashi, with its warm, open and inclusive cultural characteristics, writes a story of exchanges and integration between people of all ethnic groups.

Splendid landscape in Kashi

Kashi, with its magnificent natural scenery, is a place of historic figures and cultural heritage, which makes people enchanted at first glance.

Photo shows populus euphratica at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ren Lixin)

It has oases, deserts, populus euphratica, glaciers, snow-capped mountains and rivers,everything that you want to see in Xinjiang. The vast and boundless Taklimakan desert is also here.

Photo shows a campfire party in N39° desert scenic spot, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yu Jianxin)

Yarkant River and Kashgar River, giving birth to oases, are full of vitality.

Tens of thousands mu of populus euphratica forest turned golden, showing a splendid scene.

Eagles soar over Baisha Lake on the Pamir Plateau.

Photo shows scenery of Muztagh Ata, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Cui Songge)

Photo shows Panlong Ancient Road in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Du Mingwei)

You can watch the sunset on a hundred-meter-high sand dune in Maigaiti National Desert Park, see cows and sheep on the Jincao Beach in Stone City, and be amazed by the endless golden scenery in Zepu Golden Populus Euphratica Forest National Forest Park.

Photo shows Alar grassland in the Stone City of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Bao Di)

Delicious food in Kashi

The characteristics of a place are always directly reflected in people's habits. Kashi is a place where even the air is filled with the tempting aroma of cumin. It not only embodies the essence of Xinjiang cuisine, but also integrates eastern and western culinary cultures.

In the night market of the old town of Kashi, local people and tourists enjoy the delicious Xinjiang food, such as kebab and roasted fish.

Roasted eggs are stacked layer by layer, and Zongzi with honey and yogurt are sweet.

The sour and spicy cold noodles also have an irresistible fragrance. In addition to various delicacies, sweet fruits such as Jiashi melons, almonds, pomegranates, and grapes are also a feast for tourists.

Photo shows a man’s wonderful performance attracts tourists to watch. (Photo provided by www.zgkashi.com)

A man skillfully makes shaved ice. Cookers skillfully make Samsa and Latiaozi (hand-pulling noodles). The hard-working people make the night market full of vitality.

Photo shows children in the old town of Kashi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by A Li)

The unforgettable things about Kashi are not only the delicious food, but also the vibrant living style, the hearty and sincere voice of kebab-shop owners, the friendly smiles of people in the tea house, and the clear eyes of the children... 

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