Shache Ancient City is located in Shache County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is an important hub on the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and has a history of more than 3000 years. It was once the capital of the powerful Shache Kingdom in the 36 Western Regions of China, and also the cradle of the Uyghur classical music treasure "Twelve Muqam". Compared with the commercialized Kashgar ancient city, Shache ancient city is more primitive and has a strong sense of life, making it an ideal place to experience the authentic southern Xinjiang style and rich history.
The Mausoleum of the Yarkand Khanate
This is the most core historical relic of Shache and the most important place to understand the history of the Yarkand Khanate.
Wangling: Burial the successive khanates and their family members of the Yarkand Khanate. The architectural style blends Islamic and local ethnic characteristics, and the interior of the tomb is exquisitely decorated with exquisite plaster carvings and paintings.
Amanisha Khan Memorial Mausoleum: Located within the royal tomb, it was specially built to commemorate and standardize the "Twelve Muqams" of the Yarkand Khanate's queen Amanisha Khan. She is a great female poet and musician in Uyghur history. Although her tomb is not large, it holds a high status and is a pilgrimage site for music enthusiasts and cultural explorers.
Mosque: There is also a mosque next to the royal tomb, which is an important religious venue in the local area.
Cultural characteristics and experiences
The hometown of Twelve Muqam
Shache is the site of compilation and inheritance of the Twelve Muqam. This comprehensive art form that combines song, dance, and joy is known as the "mother of Uyghur music". At Shache, you can seek opportunities to listen to an authentic Muqam performance and feel its profound, distant, and passionate artistic appeal.
Rich vitality
Unlike the tourism oriented development of Kashgar ancient city, the main function of Shache ancient city is still residential and living. Here, what you see is the authentic and unadorned daily life of southern Xinjiang. Strolling through the bustling bazaar, sitting in a roadside teahouse drinking a bowl of medicinal tea, and greeting the smiling locals is the most unique experience.
Original ecological handicrafts
The traditional craftsmanship of Shache has been well preserved. In the streets and alleys, craftsmen can be seen making horseshoes, copper pots, and weaving carpets in the most traditional way, as if traveling back decades.
Shache's cuisine has typical southern Xinjiang characteristics and is affordable.
Roasted Pigeons: Like Kashgar, Shache's roasted pigeons are also extremely famous, with a crispy exterior and tender interior.
Gouzi Meat: A lamb soup stewed slowly in an enamel pot, with clear soup and tender meat, incredibly delicious.
Zha Fan: The perfect combination of the sweetness of yellow radish and the deliciousness of lamb.
Grilled buns: Freshly baked buns with crispy skin and fragrant filling are the most common delicacy on the streets.
Various types of noodles: pulled strips, pulled slices, etc.
Medicinal tea: Drinking a bowl of medicinal tea mixed with various spices in tea houses in Bazaar is an important social activity for the locals.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
