Yarkand

莎车

A historic Silk Road town in southern Xinjiang with traditional bazaars, ancient mosques, and crafts including traditional dagger-making. The town provides authentic cultural experiences away from major tourist routes and showcases Uyghur traditions.

Things to do

• Yarkand Old City Bazaar — Wander through the historic bazaar filled with spice vendors, textile stalls, and traditional crafts that have traded here for centuries along the Silk Road.
• Traditional Dagger-Making Workshop — Visit local artisans who craft the famous Yarkand daggers (پچاق) using traditional forging techniques passed down through generations.
• Altun Mosque — Explore this historic wooden mosque with its distinctive architecture and carved pillars, one of the region's important Islamic cultural sites.
• Yarkand County Museum — View artifacts and exhibits documenting the town's Silk Road history, local crafts, and Uyghur cultural heritage.
• Mausoleum of Mahmud al-Kashgari — Visit the tomb of the renowned 11th-century Uyghur linguist and scholar, an important pilgrimage site for locals.
• Local Carpet Weaving Studios — Observe artisans creating traditional Uyghur carpets with intricate patterns using time-honored weaving methods.

Food to try

• Yarkand Polo (Pilaf) — The local version of this rice dish features fragrant basmati rice cooked with meat, carrots, and onions, seasoned with cumin and caraway seeds.
• Lamb Kebab (Kawab) — Tender lamb skewered and grilled over charcoal, seasoned with paprika and served with flatbread and fresh vegetables at street vendors throughout the bazaar.
• Mantou (Steamed Dumplings) — Handmade pouches of dough filled with spiced lamb, onions, and herbs, steamed until tender and served with yogurt or meat sauce.
• Naan from Local Tandoori Ovens — Freshly baked flatbread with sesame or nigella seeds, cooked in traditional clay ovens and best eaten warm from the oven.
• Yarkand Pomegranate (Anar) — The region produces sweet, juice-filled pomegranates in autumn that are eaten fresh or pressed into juice, a local specialty.
• Lula Kebab (Meatball Kebab) — Ground lamb mixed with spices, onions, and herbs, formed into elongated meatballs and grilled on skewers over charcoal.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Prayer Times — As a predominantly Muslim town, plan visits to avoid disruption during the five daily prayers, and women should dress modestly when visiting mosques.
• Learn Basic Uyghur Greetings — While Mandarin is understood, locals appreciate when visitors use basic Uyghur phrases like 'Assalamu alaikum' (peace be upon you) and 'Raxmat' (thank you).
• Barter at the Bazaar — Haggling over prices is customary and expected at the old bazaar—it is part of the social interaction and not considered rude.
• Accept Tea and Hospitality — When visiting homes or workshops, accepting offered tea (čay) and hospitality is important for building rapport with locals.