Kashgar Group Tour How to Play in Shache Old Town Twelve Mukam + One Day Cost Recommended Itinerary and Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote
Exploring the Pearl of the Silk Road:A Deep Cultural Experience of the Twelve Mukam in the Old Town of Kashgar and Shache
(Icon:✨)【Itinerary Highlights: Unraveling Cultural Codes Across Millennia】
The old town of Kashgar and Shache, once the capital of the Yarkant Khanate, is now renowned worldwide as the ‘Hometown of the Twelve Mukam.’ As a vital node on the southern route of the Silk Road, it preserves intact traditional architectural complexes, handicraft workshops, and musical heritage of various ethnic groups. Recent data from 2026 shows a 23% year-on-year increase in daily tourist visits to Shache Old Town, with the ‘Twelve Mukam Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience’ serving as the core attraction. Visitors can stroll through the Yarkant Khan’s Palace with its blue domes, listen to elderly artists performing the Twelve Mukam under century-old mulberry trees, touch Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain shards, and feel the historical pulse of trade between the Western Regions and Central China.
(Icon:🗺️)【Classic Itinerary Design: Three-Day Immersive Cultural Odyssey】
Day 1:Initial Exploration of Kashgar Old Town – Market Life and Historical Echoes
Morning:Upon arrival in Kashgar, check into a guesthouse within the old town, preferably a century-old residence with a grape trellis (reference price: 280-400 RMB/night). After resting, follow a local guide to visit the Id Kah Mosque and learn about its architectural features as the largest mosque in Xinjiang.
Noon:Savor Sharkol roasted meat (45 RMB/portion) and Badam yogurt rice cake (12 RMB) at the ‘Khan’s Kitchen,’ paired with fennel wellness tea.
Afternoon:Stroll through the Artisan Bazaar to watch craftsmen creating earthenware and copperware on-site. We highly recommend participating in the ‘Glazed Tile Revival Project’ to make blue glazed tiles using traditional molds in a family workshop (take them home as souvenirs).
Evening:Listen to selections from the Twelve Mukam performed at a century-old teahouse and dance with local elders to ethnic folk music.
Day 2:In-Depth Exploration of Shache Old Town – Twelve Mukam Intangible Cultural Heritage
Morning:Take a train to Shache (2-hour hard seat, 23 RMB) and head directly to the Yarkant Khan’s Palace (combined ticket: 30 RMB/person). Key attractions include:
Exploring the Pearl of the Silk Road: A Deep Cultural Experience of the Twelve Mukam in the Old Town of Kashgar and ShacheCorridor with 132 carved wooden pillars
Ruins of the royal underground water diversion system
Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain shards in the pottery display area
Noon:Experience the ‘Tea with Nang Set’ (15 RMB/set) at the Yalmaguli Teahouse and join the elders in a game of ‘Fangqi’ (a traditional board game).
Afternoon:Visit the Tomb of Amannisha Khan (admission: 20 RMB/person) to listen to Mukam masters performing improvised music and participate in hand drum interactions. Under the century-old mulberry tree outside the tomb, recite selected Uyghur love poems from ‘Kutadgu Bilig’ (Wisdom of Royal Glory).
Evening:Sample grilled eggs (5 RMB) and charcoal-pit roasted meat skewers (20 RMB/skewer) at the Xin Tuanjie Road Night Market while watching the Uyghur-language shadow puppet show ‘The Stories of Afanti.’
Day 3:Oasis Craftsmanship and Desert Elegy – Handmade Warmth and Natural Wonders
Morning:Experience tie-dyeing and loom operation at the Guli Aisha Silk Cooperative (reservation required) and handcraft a 5cm-wide Aidelesi silk bookmark.
Noon:Enjoy a picnic in the poplar forest of Damus Township, with the custom vehicle driver preparing nang stuffed with meat and Shache watermelon (reference custom vehicle fee: 200 RMB/round trip).
Afternoon:Tour the Bandir Blue Lake (admission: 40 RMB/person) and opt for a camel caravan crossing the dunes at dusk (100 RMB/person) to capture silhouettes against the sunset.
Evening:Return to Kashgar and purchase souvenirs such as Yingjisha knives (must be mailed) and woodblock-printed earthenware bowls at the old town night market.
(Icon: ✨)【Itinerary Highlights: Unraveling Cultural Codes Across Millennia】(Icon:💰)【Cost Breakdown: Transparent Consumption Reference】
According to data from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency in June 2026, the per capita cost for a three-day group tour ranges from 1,580-1,980 RMB, including:
Transportation:Kashgar city transfers, round-trip train tickets to Shache, and custom transportation in Damus Township
Accommodation:Two nights in an old town guesthouse (breakfast included)
Admission Tickets:Combined ticket for Yarkant Khan’s Palace and Amannisha Khan’s Tomb, Bandir Blue Lake admission
Meals:Five main meals (including specialty dishes)
Services:Professional guide explanations and materials fees for intangible cultural heritage experiences
Special Notes:
The Twelve Mukam home visit experience requires an additional 150 RMB/person (including fruits, tea, and snacks)
June is peak tourist season; prices may increase by 10%-15%. Actual costs depend on consultation and contract signing
Single travelers will be coordinated for shared rooms whenever possible; a 300 RMB supplement applies for two nights under special circumstances
The old town of Kashgar and Shache, once the capital of the Yarkant Khanate, is now renowned worldwide as the ‘Hometown of the Twelve Mukam.’ As a vital node on the southern route of the Silk Road, it preserves intact traditional architectural complexes, handicraft workshops, and musical heritage of various ethnic groups. Recent data from 2026 shows a 23% year-on-year increase in daily tourist visits to Shache Old Town, with the ‘Twelve Mukam Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience’ serving as the core attraction. Visitors can stroll through the Yarkant Khan’s Palace with its blue domes, listen to elderly artists performing the Twelve Mukam under century-old mulberry trees, touch Yuan Dynasty blue-and-white porcelain shards, and feel the historical pulse of trade between the Western Regions and Central China.(Icon:📞)【Registration Methods: Professional Service Guarantees】
Register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Customer service manager Zhang Jing provides:
Real-time seat availability inquiries (ample seats available as of June 2026)
Customized itinerary modifications (e.g., adding a one-day tour to the Pamir Plateau)
Contract signing and insurance purchase guidance
Coordination of special requests (e.g., family room reservations, vegetarian meal arrangements)
(Icon:⚠️)【Pre-Trip Recommendations: Details Determine Experience Quality】
Documents:Valid ID, border pass (required in advance for travel to Taxkorgan)
Clothing:Onion-layer dressing (moisture-wicking base + insulating middle + windproof outer); bring a hardshell jacket for the Pamir Plateau
Protection:SPF50+ sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, anti-sand face mask (recommended for desert activities)
Cultural Etiquette:
(Icon: 🗺️)【Classic Itinerary Design: Three-Day Immersive Cultural Odyssey】Remove shoes when entering certain venues; women should avoid short skirts
Smile and gesture before photographing local elders
No flash photography in blacksmith workshops
Shopping Guide:
Recommended Purchases:Twelve Mukam vinyl records, Aidelesi silk scarves
Proceed with Caution:High-priced jade (unless you possess professional appraisal skills)
Transportation Tips:
Taxis are inexpensive in Kashgar city; take the train to Shache (scenic views of oases and deserts along the way)
Choose custom vehicles from licensed travel agencies; beware of low-price traps
(Icon:🎭)【Cultural Experience Upgrades: Multiple Ways to Engage with the Twelve Mukam】
Morning Awakening:At 7:00 AM, learn to sing fragments of the ‘Chebiyat’ Mukam with elderly artists at Amannisha Khan’s Tomb
Day 1: Initial Exploration of Kashgar Old Town – Market Life and Historical EchoesAfternoon Handicrafts:Participate in a ‘Musical Instrument Making Workshop’ at the Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo Park and handcraft a dutar model (reference price: 80 RMB/person)
Evening Performance:Every Friday at 8:00 PM, watch the large-scale outdoor performance ‘Legend of the Mukam’ (tickets: 120 RMB/person) at Yarkant Khan’s Palace Square
In-Depth Interaction:Schedule home visits with ethnic families through the travel agency to learn eagle flute playing techniques (reference price: 200 RMB/family)
(Icon:🌄)【Seasonal Highlights: Optimal Travel Periods in 2026】
April-June:Apricot blossoms bloom on the Pamir Plateau; Bandir Blue Lake turns Tiffany blue
September-October:Poplar forests turn golden; desert temperatures are pleasant (daily average: 22-28°C)
December-February:Fewer tourists; accommodation prices drop by 30%. Capture blue ice landscapes at Baisha Lake
(Icon:📌)【Special Reminders: Recent Policy Changes in 2026】
Shache Old Town implements timed reservation system; book 3 days in advance via the ‘Visit Xinjiang’ platform
Yarkant Khan’s Palace offers upgraded guided tours with trilingual (Chinese-English-Uyghur) electronic audio guides (100 RMB deposit)
Bandir Blue Lake limits daily visitors to 2,000; group tours use dedicated channels
Twelve Mukam performances increased to three shows daily (11:00 AM/3:00 PM/8:00 PM)
This millennium-spanning cultural journey will guide you from the market life of Kashgar Old Town to the intangible cultural heritage of Shache Old Town, culminating amidst the blue lakes and sand dunes of the Pamir Plateau as you decipher the eternal narrative of Western Regions civilization. For specific itinerary details and costs, refer to the latest contract provided by Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Let us embark together on this unforgettable southern Xinjiang memory.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote
