Kashgar area in February

Hi Buksie,

I spent about nine days in Kashgar in October, traveling alone, mostly for photography. Toward the end of the trip I hired Abdulwahab Old Road Tour, he's based in the lobby of the Yambo and the Seman Hotel,
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.oldroadtours.com, even for advice about what's going on in February.

Eric

In Korla now and heading next to Kashgar and on to the KKH to Pakistan.

I heard that the border sometimes opens before the 1st of May if there are enough tourists on the bus so keeping our fingers crossed as our Chinese visas expire on the 21st April and not sure if we'll be able to extend them in Kashgar.

We're travelling by bicycle and we know we're not allowed to cross the border by bicycle - know have to catch a bus from Tashgurkan to Sost.

I heard that a permit is required to travel between Kashgar and Tashgurkan - can anyone tell us anything about that?

Many thanks

You have to catch the bus from Tashkorgan to Sost, but you don't have to stay on the bus all the way. When I made this trip, there were a couple of cyclists on the bus and they were allowed out at the pass (ie. as soon as we left China) to enjoy the free-wheeling ride down the mountains into Pakistan. If you're on a Pakistani-operated bus, this is unlikely to be a problem.

That's good info to know Giora - thanks for that

No worries. Afraid I can't help much with current permit issues, but be prepared for the possibility that you might also be forced to take a bus from Kashgar to Tashkorgan. Also be prepared for typical Chinese extortion on the Tashkorgan-Sost bus: the cyclists with me where charged something silly in order to bring their bikes on the bus, on top of the already extortionate fee for passengers. I once stuck a bike on a bus in Xinjiang and paid something reasonable (I think 20 or 25 Yuan), but with the international bus they have a monopoly on travel, and they know it.

Good luck, and happy cycling!

Poster 5 and 10:

STOP advertising here please. Just above you promoted another agency (www.uighurtour.com) under a different poster name (Paul) but the same text. The agencies you promoted (www.oldroadtours.com / www.uighurtour.com) are the ones I will AVOID

Edited by: Buksie

Edited by: Buksie

hello everyone,

this is my travel experience via the silk road kashgar- tashkurgan- sost-hunza-gilgit,, amazing scenery.

http://www.slideshare.net/fahadbutt5