Yarkand
Yarkand (莎车; Shāchē) is a city in Xinjiang Province in China. The name is sometimes transliterated as Yarkant or Yarkhand. It is most useful as a stop to break up the long bus ride from Kashgar to Hotan. The tomb complex here is worth checking out if you're in town.
Get in
Yarkand is on the Southern Silk Road and can by reached by bus from Kashgar or Khotan. It is 200 km from Kashgar. Usually it takes 3 hours drive.
- Bus from Kashgar takes 4 hours.
- Bus from Hotan takes 6 hours.
- Daytime train now runs from Kashgar to Hotan and stops in Yarkand at least once daily.
Yarkand is connected to Leh in northern India via a pass across the Himalayas. Historically this was an important Silk Road link, and Marco Polo probably crossed it. Today it is not much used because the Indian and Chinese governments are not on good terms.
See
- Tomb of Amanisahan. Amanisahan was a poetess of the Uyghur Muqam. Her mausoleum is surrounded by a beautiful cemetery complex, including the tomb of the former sultan of Yarkent. Most are beautifully decorated with Arabic inscriptions.
- Golden Graveyard. This graveyard dates from the 17th Century and is the burial place of Royal family members of the Yarkand Uyghur Kingdom.It is known to locals as “Golden Graveyard” as a sign of respect to the Yarkand Kingdom.
Do
- Local markets. Tour the local markets where you will many products being produced in shope and local goods on sale
- Two or more days Taklamakan Desert Camel trekking in Yarkend (250 km south of Kashgar). Yarkend. Yarkend is also another Uyghur cultural city which is located western edge of Taklamakan desert, karasu is a small desert village in Yarkend where you can start your camel ride trek into the desert, Yarkend Karasu village is 250 km south from Kashgar
- Old Town. One of the most authentic old towns seen in southern XinJiang. Less modernized than Kashgar's and more centralized than Hotan's.
Buy
Yarkand has been known as a centre of carpet weaving for centuries, and its carpets were historically traded along the Silk Road, making it as far as Europe. Be sure to check out some of the locally-produced carpets when you are here.
Drink
There are two main options for an alcoholic drink. One is the 'time machine' KTV bar across from the New Century hotel where a small KTV room costs ¥288 with 4 drinks of your choice included, you can stay there till 03:00 for this price if you wish. The Armani bar is the other option, most taxi drivers will know it. It has a school disco vibe full of fairy lights and lasers and with heavy hip hop, American and Russian, on rotation and a mixed Han and Uighur clientele. A Snow or WuSu beer costs ¥10. It is highly advised not to get drunk and be on the street. If you are tipsy getting a taxi is safest even if you are staying nearby at New Century or ShaChe hotel. Taxi rides should be ¥5.
Sleep
- Shache Hotel. Everyone you ask will route you to this hotel, where they are not particularly nice. Asking price for foreigners is around ¥220 but the rate for locals is ¥160 or less so you should press hard as there are no other options.
- New Century Hotel (新世纪宾馆), 新疆莎车新城路44号, ☏ +86 998 8514758. A budget hotel that takes foreigners. Rooms and basic but livable ¥80.
- Subiyi Aletun Hotel, Corner of Aletun and Laocheng Roads, ☏ +86 998 8512222. Clean, modern, some electrical issues but not a bad place to stay. Is conveniently next to the Old Town and the Mosque complex, which are Yarkand's main sights. ¥100/dbl.