Yarkant (Shache)

The ancient capital of the Yarkent Khanate, where Altun and the royal tombs bear witness to the homeland of the Twelve Muqam, and Zepu's Golden Lake poplar forest is mirrored in the water in autumn.

Yarkant (Shache) and Zepu lie in the south of Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, in the Yarkant River oasis on the southwestern edge of the Taklamakan Desert. Yarkant's county town is about 190 km from Kashgar, and Zepu's county town is about 30 km south of Yarkant. Historically known as Yarkand, Yarkant was the capital of the Yarkent Khanate in the 16th–17th centuries and is the homeland of the Uyghur Twelve Muqam; it has been designated a National Historical and Cultural City. Zepu is famous for the Golden Lake Poplar (Jinhuyang) desert poplar forest, home to southern Xinjiang's first AAAAA-rated scenic area.

In Yarkant, the highlights are concentrated around the old town: the Altun Cultural Tourism Area, the Royal Tombs of the Yarkent Khanate and the Amannisa Khan Memorial Mausoleum, Jaman Mosque and the old town's lanes can all be linked on foot, and together with the Twelve Muqam Heritage Park they make for a full day. On the Zepu side, Golden Lake Poplar National Forest Park is the centerpiece; in autumn it can be combined with Buyiluke Tajik Township and the banks of the Yarkant River for a day trip.

The best times are April for almond blossoms and mid-to-late October for golden poplars; summer days are hot, and winters cold and dry. Xinjiang's daily schedule runs about 2 hours behind Beijing time, so scenic area hours and mealtimes are generally later. Getting there: Yarkant has an airport and a railway station, and the Kashgar–Hotan Railway stops at both Yarkant and Zepu. There are frequent security checks locally, so carry your ID at all times. Allow 2 days, and be sure to try samsa (baked meat buns), polo (pilaf), Yarkant almonds and thin-skinned dumplings.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries