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Kashgar is a Silk Road oasis city in China’s far-western Xinjiang region, sitting at about 1,290 metres in the western Tarim Basin between the Pamir Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert. The climate is cold desert (Koppen BWk): a yearly mean of 12.4°C, roughly 70 mm of rain, and about 2,700 hours of sunshine. Summers are hot and dry, winters cold and clear, and the day to night swing is wide in every season. This hub links to seven focused guides covering the weather, the best time to go, things to do, festivals, neighborhoods, hotels and practical tips.
Welcome to Kashgar
Step through the east gate of Kashgar’s Old Town and the city you have been reading about turns real: mud-brick lanes, the call to prayer, copper hammers on metal, and the smell of lamb pastry from a corner oven. This is the western end of China’s old Silk Road, and it feels a long way from Beijing, which lies over 4,000 km to the east. You come for the Old Town and the Sunday bazaar, and you stay a day longer than planned for the Karakoram Highway and the Pamir views.
Weather at a Glance in Kashgar
The headline is the dryness and the contrast. July, the warmest month, averages 25.5°C with afternoon highs of 31.9°C (89°F), while January averages -5.2°C with lows around -10.5°C (13°F). Rain is nearly an afterthought: 70 mm a year, with the wettest month, May, delivering only 11 mm. Sunshine is abundant, and humidity in summer afternoons often drops below 20 percent, so the heat feels drier than the same temperature would on the coast.
Kashgar Seasonal Snapshot
- Winter (Dec to Feb): Cold and clear, January lows near -10.5°C (13°F), little snow, empty lanes, lowest prices.
- Spring (Mar to May): Fast warming from 8.8°C to 20°C, Nowruz on March 21, but April and May bring Taklamakan dust storms.
- Summer (Jun to Aug): Hot and dry, July highs 31.9°C (89°F), cool nights, and the window for the Corban and Roza Heyt festivals.
- Autumn (Sep to Nov): The best season, 20 to 26°C by day, clear skies, golden poplars in October.
Quick Facts About Kashgar
- Warmest month: July, average 25.5°C (highs 31.9°C).
- Coldest month: January, average -5.2°C (lows -10.5°C).
- Wettest month: May, at 11 mm. Annual rainfall is about 70 mm.
- Sunshine: around 2,700 hours a year, among the sunniest in China.
- Elevation: about 1,290 m (4,230 ft); Karakul Lake day trip reaches 3,600 m.
- Best months to visit: September and October; avoid October 1 to 7 Golden Week.
Explore Kashgar: Full Travel Guides
- Kashgar Weather by Month: month-by-month temperatures, rainfall, humidity and sunshine, with a comparison table.
- Best Time to Visit Kashgar: the exact months for the best weather, lowest prices and festival timing.
- Things to Do in Kashgar: the Old Town, Id Kah Mosque, the Sunday bazaar and the Karakul Lake day trip, with hours and prices.
- Kashgar Events and Festivals: Nowruz, Roza Heyt and the Corban Festival, with how the lunar calendar shifts the dates.
- Kashgar Neighborhoods: the Old Town, city centre, bazaar district and East City, with who each suits and hotel price bands.
- Where to Stay in Kashgar: the best districts and specific hotels from courtyard guesthouses to the Sheraton.
- Kashgar Travel Tips and FAQ: airports, trains, visas, border permits, money, safety and etiquette.
Where to Stay in Kashgar
Base yourself in or beside the Old Town to walk to the sights, or in the city centre for chain-standard comfort and easier airport transfers. The where to stay guide names specific hotels across three districts and price bands.
Suggested Hotels in Kashgar
Four Points by Sheraton Kashgar
A full-service international four-star in the city centre with restaurant and bar, the most comfortable option in Kashgar. Best for travellers who want a trusted brand. Check rates and availability
Holiday Inn Express Kashgar Downtown by IHG
A modern, well-reviewed chain hotel downtown with a fitness centre and free breakfast, rated 9.2. Best for couples and families who want dependable mid-range comfort. Check rates and availability
Good Morning Homestay Inn
A highly rated homestay with free breakfast and a family-run feel, rated 9.6. Best for budget travellers who want warmth over a chain lobby. Check rates and availability
