City in Xinjiang, China
Kashgar
A Silk Road oasis with a Uyghur old town, mosques and the Sunday bazaar, gateway to the Karakoram Highway. Cheap and fascinating, but with heavy security, checkpoints and limits on photography and talking politics.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$745–1,270Comfortable, one person · ¥5,000–8,500Details
- Value for money68/100Better value than 67% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Sep–OctWarmest: Jul, 36°CDetails
- Air quality90.2 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2019) · Severely pollutedDetails
- Internet238 MbpsFixed broadband, China medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDon't drink the tap; hotels supply kettles and bottled water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$4–37Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereAlipay and WeChat Pay work in most shops and restaurants; carry cash for the bazaar and small stalls.Details
Where to stay in Kashgar
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Old City (Kashgar Old Town) | Lanes, craft workshops and teahouses |
| Id Kah Square and Seman area | Central hotels, mosque and restaurants |
Apps that work in Kashgar
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Meituan | Limited to the main city |
- Maps: Amap or Apple Maps (Google Maps is blocked and inaccurate)
- Messaging: WeChat
- Alipay: Payments, DiDi rides and metro QR codes
- WeChat Pay: Backup payments and mini-program bookings
- Trip.com: Train and hotel bookings in English
- Taxis: Taxis are cheap; hotels and tour agencies book day trips. Many travelers use a local driver for the Karakoram Highway.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in China.
- Cards almost everywhere Alipay and WeChat Pay work in most shops and restaurants; carry cash for the bazaar and small stalls.
- Currency: Yuan Renminbi (CNY). US$1 ≈ ¥6.71 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Bank of China, ICBC and other big-bank ATMs take Visa and Mastercard; per-withdrawal limits are low and fees vary.
- Tipping: Not expected; some upscale hotels and restaurants add a service charge.
- Paying by phone: Alipay and WeChat Pay with foreign Visa or Mastercard work almost everywhere; small fee on larger payments. Apple Pay rarely.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Many nationalities get 30-day visa-free entry until 31 Dec 2026; others need a visa before travel.
- 240-hour visa-free transit needs a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; stay within the 24 eligible provinces.
- Fill in the arrival card online at s.nia.gov.cn before landing, or on paper; fingerprints are taken.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119 · Tourist police 12301
Plugs
Type A, C, I · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in China
Going to Kashgar solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.