Kashgar area in February

Hi there,
Kashgar is still very cold in February; the Karakoram Highway would be getting a bit dangerous for driving with snow and ice. The border between China and Pakistan is officially closed from 1st January till 1st May. If you visit Kashgar during this time, you can enjoy more culture, may not scenery. It is less touristy and hotels are much cheaper than summer. I recommend you to have tour around Kashgar and visit Yarkant, then continue Hotan which is another interesting city on the Southern Silk Road and if you have enough time further driving to Kucha through Taklimakan Desert highway.

Very cold to say the least down to minus -40 degrees Farenheit. Not much to see and do other than to try and keep warm as they do. Great place to visit in late August through October however.

The Irkshetam Pass into Kyrgyzstan is generally open year-round: it gets shut down for a couple of days sometimes with heavy snow, but I think they generally try and keep the road open throughout the whole winter: there are certainly reports on the Thorntree of people crossing in January or February. This isn't something you do as a 2-3 day trip though!

Heading up the Karakoram Highway, to Karakul Lake or Tashkorgan is one lovely possibility, and the road is in good shape and paved, so presumably it stays open year-round. Hotan is another nice town to visit: it's the most important source of jade (both today, and historically) within China, and the Sunday Market here is lovely.

Hi, Kashgar is a very interesting place to visit even in winter. Usually the south of xinjiang won't have too much snow in winter. So it should be safe if drive around locally. Kucha county is another exotic place to visit of being famous with a canyon and a SuBaShi ancient town. It also locates in south of xinjiang. If you have time, you can go there as well. Good luck!

Hi Buksie,

I spent about nine days in Kashgar in October, traveling alone, mostly for photography. Toward the end of the trip I hired Ali Tash of Uighur Tour and Travel, he's based in the lobby of the Chinibagh Hotel, for a couple of days.

I wished I had done that sooner. His local knowledge, appreciation of what interested me, and suggestions for good photo opportunities resulted in a far more enjoyable time than I could make for myself.

I'm sure he will be worth contacting at www.uighurtour.com, even for advice about what's going on in February.

Paul

if you are plane to visit kashgar in Fabuary do not be hasitated to continue your tour please ,you still have chance to visit famouse kashgar sunday market ,live stocke market ,kashgar city ,yarkand,and hotan as well ,

Hi there！
If you want to come Kashgar for exploring the city in February, never hesitate to come.
During the February it is could in Kashgar it’s for sure.
But Kashgar people are very warm, even it’s winter, so Kashgar people always welcome you and your friends !!!

Of course, it is possible 2 or 3 days tours, in Kashgar and around Kashgar.
You still have a chance to explore the famous sunday market ,live stocke market on sunday,kashgar city ,….
Enough places to explore but it should be tour of Winter style, you may know that point as well, as you started your trip in winter.

You can definitely travel around the Taklamakan Desert in winter. All the way around, if you like. All the tourist spots are open, and they are mainly bereft of tourists. You can negotiate good prices at the hotels -- Always negotiate! You should be able to get at least half off.

Check out my site for southern Xinjiang: [centralasiatraveler.com]

I agree with the above that you should try to see the sights around Kucha, especially the Kizil Caves.

At least go as far as Hotan, where there is as much to see and do as in Kashgar. You can even travel from Kashgar to Hotan on the new railroad that opened just last summer.

-- Cat

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up going to Tibet and northern Yunnan which was fantastic. Will do the Kashgar trip ASAP