Opened in October 2009, the Gallery Cafe is the newest foreign-run cafe in Kashgar. We would like to extend a very warm welcome to travelers of every kind. Since we ourselves have come to Kashgar to explore and soak in an authentic Central Asian experience, we are happy to help you do the same. We offer home style food and drinks and a comfortable atmosphere for you to rest while you plan your next adventure. We also provide reliable tourist information and can book tours and tickets with experienced local guides and travel agencies. Last but not least, our gallery is here to showcase the talent of a variety of artists, which we welcome you to enjoy. Feel free to contact us with any inquiries about Kashgar (map) or the surrounding area. Soon after we opened we enjoyed the visit of CBS news correspondent Terry McCarthy. Here is his report on the silk road.
Kashgar On A Budget
Everything costs. For some it's not the price, it's the principle. Rather than signing up with expensive and elite tours, they'd rather see the place, the real place. So how? Here's a short guide of free or low budget things to do while you're in Kashgar. Whether you're a budget traveler or you are just against the principle of joining a tour here's a nice list of things to do in Kashgar compiled by The Gallery Cafe.
First and most obvious is the old town. There is a section of the old town that comes with a price. You pay about 15 yuan and get a guided tour. This is the section by the river that will be preserved after the other parts of the old town are replaced. But, for now if you walk into the market across the Id Kah mosque toward the Sunday Bazaar you will get the real taste of Kashgar. Fruit sellers, buses and pedestrians merge into this authentic stretch that leads you to the Sunday Bazaar. This road goes right through the heart of the old town. If you don't want to walk the whole way, take a motorbike with a wagon attached to it that holds anywhere from 2 to 15 people. They start across from the mosque where the fruit sellers are and end by the Sunday Bazaar. They cost 5mao a person.
Next is the animal market. Located a little ways out of Kashgar city, it's easiest to take a taxi out. It only runs on Sunday and the earlier you get out, the better. The taxi ride should be no more than 15 yuan from anywhere in town. The business of selling and purchasing animals is a serious matter in Kashgar. Sheeps' tails are felt and weighed. Deals are made over handshakes and smiles. Enormous kebabs can be purchased for 10 yuan a piece. Its truly a unique experience.
Another must see is the Id Kah Mosque on Friday afternoon. Starting at around 3:00pm male residents of Kashgar start heading out to the mosque. By 3:30pm the entire square is full of men kneeling down for prayer. It is a sight that shouldn't be missed.
So there you have it, a short and simple guide to Kashgar City.