In the western part of China, there is a city where the sun seems to rise later than elsewhere, and the pace of life is particularly leisurely.
Residents here are accustomed to sleeping until the end of the day, and even tourists have to travel jet lag to adapt to this slow-paced life.
It isKashgar, a very exotic city.
I first met Kashgar in the movie "The Kite Runner"; When I heard about Kashgar again, I heard that it has the latest sunset in China.
Today, let's take a deep dive into Kashgar and feel its unique cultural charm of the Western Regions.
Where the dream begins
The shining pearl of the ancient silk road
The full name of Kashgar is "Kashgar", which means "the place where jade is concentrated", which is not only a praise for this land, but also a profound memory of the history here.
Although Kashgar is located in the westernmost part of China, far from the ocean, its geographical location gives it a unique regional flavor.
This is the western gate of China, which is ancientThe Silk RoadIt is an important node that is a melting pot for the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures.
Connecting eight countries and Europe and Asia all the way, Kashgar is like a bridge, connecting the rest of the world.
In 138 B.C., Zhang Qian led a delegation through the Hexi Corridor, braved strong winds and bitter cold, and resolutely marched towards Central Asia.
At this moment, the map of the world changed because of them, and the "Silk Road", the first network connecting the East and the West, was officially connected.
One of the 36 countries in the Western Regions, the location of Shule is Kashgar.
Sogdians, Uighurs, Persians, Arabs, ......They traveled through the desert and over the mountains for the fine commodity of silk.
With the coming and going of people, different nationalities and different cultures are intertwined and integrated in Kashgar, jointly writing the prosperous legend of the Pearl of the Silk Road.
Half humanistic customs
A thousand-year-old city that travels through time and space
In the old city of Kashgar, there is always a sense of dislocation in time and space, as if going back from modern times to the ancient Middle Ages.
Scattered earthen houses, colored gates, and horseshoe-shaped windows can be seen everywhere, and the sound of Dongbula and horse-head harp sounds from time to time ......
Ustang Boi, Norbeshi, Eggerik, these fairytale names are fascinating, and every corner will be a surprise.
The most representative of the temperament of the ancient city of Kashgar isGaotai dwellings。They were built at different times and are historical specimens accumulated over the years.
More than 600 staggered dwellings built along the slope form a labyrinthine pattern, and the rich medieval Arabian style is blowing in the face.
Ati Kah MosqueIt is the center of the ancient city of Kashgar and the heart of southern Xinjiang. It is not only the largest mosque in Xinjiang, but also one of the largest mosques in the country.
The architectural style is full of Muslim piety and simplicity, and there is no tall and grand atmosphere here, but only modesty and stability.
As a courtyard-style temple, it is located at the main entrance on the east sideAtigar SquareIt is also a good place for local residents to relax and entertain.
The sun shines through the dome and spills into the courtyard, and the bearded grandfather and his children sit and bask in the sun together, how peaceful and happy.
Half of the mountains, rivers, lakes and seas
The affectionate rush of the Pamirs
The huge ice cap, which lasts all year round, is like a crystal crown, symbolizing the kingship of Muztag as the "father of glaciers".
InMuztag Glacier ParkYou can see the majesty of the glacier, the beauty of the ice snake, and the tenderness and coldness of the four-story glacial lake.
Karakul LakeConnected to Muztag Peak, it will change the color of the lake with the seasons and different lights, like a smart elf.
The surface of the lake was calm, and the surroundings seemed to have formed an enchantment of its own, and even the birds just crossed silently, unable to split the rich silence.
Baisha Lake and Baisha Mountain, half of the vast white sand, half of the blue lake, white clouds rippling in the blue sky and the lake.
At this moment, words can't express the shock of the heart at all, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as a dreamy wonderland.
Bandil Lake, sparkling sapphires in highland lakes. Because the light reflects the peacock green and deep blue, and because the flow of clouds creates light and shadow.
True to its dreamy name, it sits quietly above the Pamirs, waiting for explorers.
Today I have gone through all the detours in life, and since then life has been a smooth road. How many people came because of this sentencePanlong Ancient Road
This 70-kilometer journey, with 639 bends, winds through the mountains, bringing you thrills, difficulties, excitement, and **
There is no shortage of spring
If you ask where the apricot blossoms are beautiful, the frontier refers to the Datong township
If the peach blossoms are graceful and the cherry blossoms are beautiful, then the apricot blossoms in the Pamirs are warm and unrestrained, just like the sincere enthusiasm of the Tajik compatriots.
Standing on the top of the mountain road, you can see it from afarDatong TownshipThe apricot blossoms are in full bloom, which is an unpolished natural beauty.
The hundred-year-old apricot trees shade the sky and the sun, the cloud-like flowers bloom proudly on the branches, and the air is filled with the refreshing fragrance of flowers.
Old houses with earthen walls, free cattle and sheep, Pamir villages, under apricot blossom trees. You will find surprises along the way, which is unique to the cultural customs of southern Xinjiang.
Of course, what can be compared to apricot blossoms is our Xinjiang girl! The famous national beauty "Xiangfei" in history is from Kashgar.
Compared with the graceful and subtle Jiangnan women, the beauties of Xinjiang are bright and atmospheric, more exotic, and they are natural and charming when looking at the whole country.
Xinjiang on the tip of the tongue
Specialties recommended by locals
In Xinjiang,NaanIt's a faith.
You can go without vegetables for a day, but you can't go without naan for a day. I didn't know there were so many flavors of naan if I didn't come once!
Lamb is used as the main ingredientPilafThe key to whether it is delicious or not lies in the mutton and mutton fat, which are bright and shiny, and the aroma is compelling.
Xinjiang fried rice noodlesIt's so spicy and so good! The Q-elastic and firm texture, the slimy sauce tightly wraps the rice noodles, and it makes people appetize.
Xinjiang ** chickenIt is the first food business card of Xinjiang, the chicken is tender and juicy, the potatoes are soft and glutinous, and the perfect taste is fused.
In addition, there are also pot meat, rack meat, red willow skewers, horse intestines, thin-skinned buns, yogurt, pepper sesame chicken, roasted whole lamb ......
Kashgar, a city of more than 2,000 years, has been guarded by Ban Chao, passed by Xuanzang, and Marco Polo has been there, so what about you, do you want to go?