Kuqa Old Town & Grand Mosque
库车老城
A well-preserved Uyghur old town in southern Xinjiang. The Kuqa Grand Mosque is the second largest mosque in Xinjiang, and roadside bread ovens and baked buns taste of Kuqa.
The Kuqa Old Town sits on the west bank of the Kuqa River. It is a historic district of traditional Uyghur adobe architecture and wooden-carved colonnaded houses. Its lanes hold handicraft workshops, blacksmith shops, musical instrument stores and bread ovens. Kuqa’s giant bread, which can be half a meter or more in diameter and is known as the “king of naan,” along with baked buns and lamb pilaf, are must-tries. At the old town’s heart, the Kuqa Grand Mosque was first built in the 16th century, and the current structure was rebuilt after a fire in 1931. Its towering gateway and prayer hall make it the second largest mosque in Xinjiang after the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar, and it is protected as a regional-level cultural heritage site. For a visit, explore the old lanes and bazaar in the morning, eat fresh naan by the oven at noon, then tour the mosque outside prayer times. Admission is about RMB 15–20, and modest dress is required, with women advised to avoid shorts and short skirts. Remnants of the ancient Kucha city ruins are on the east side of the old town. Getting there: taxis from the city center reach the old town, and the old quarter is best explored on foot. Note: ask for permission before photographing residents or the interior of the mosque.
Opening hours
Old town open all day; grand mosque open outside prayer times