Kashgar: An ancient city at the end of the Silk Road

Kashgar marks the western end of the Chinese section of the Silk Road. For four days and three nights, between the old city alleys and bazaars, you hear the purest breath of the Western Regions.

The earthy alleys of Kashgar's old town are like a maze, with layers of earthen houses, children playing soccer at the entrances, and elderly people sitting at the door picking vegetables. In the maze-like streets, every step hides the everyday life of life.

The Etiqa'er Mosque is the largest mosque in Xinjiang. During Friday prayers, tens of thousands worship devoutly, creating a stunning scene. The white doves and fountains in the square represent the tranquil corner of the old city.

High-platform residences are built on loess cliffs, untouched for a thousand years. Artisans hammer copper, make pottery, and weave carpets; the sound of the artisans' hammering is the unchanging music here.

The Sunday cattle and sheep bazaar is a gathering for men, with livestock trading bustling like a market. Then go to the Central and West Asia Grand Bazaar to pick up a small Yingjisha knife or a floral hat; bargaining is the fun itself.

Kashgar's age is two thousand years of living. When you get lost at the end of a maze alley and are guided by a smiling uncle, you suddenly understand: the end of the Silk Road has never been about goods, but about people.