Silk weaving in Xinjiang

Hi,
I am a solo traveller from UK and wish to visit Xinjiang in September 2017. Will have around 10 + days in hand. I am looking to visit with primarily two points of interest:
1. A place where I can see and photograph traditional silk hand weaving/ spinning/ dyeing
so far I think in and around Hotan ? Is that right?)
2. Traditional wool processing from sheep/ goats by the nomads/ semi-nomadic people.
I have gathered that Kashgar to Tashkorgan and adjoining areas (mountains) would be the place to look for.

In recent climate are the 2 points of my interest feasible? Am I able to spend some time with the relevant people instead of just having a glimpse and for such experience do I need to be with a tour guide?

Many thanks for your help.

Hi Nomad,

I can't help with your requests, but having been to Xinjiang twice over the last couple of months will just warn you about the security situation over there and not to bring any sort of penknife with you. I had my prized swiss army knife confiscated while there. You can read more on the blog I posted about it if you feel so inclined...

https://www.thetripgoeson.com/single-post/2017/03/02/Urumqi-You-can-take-my-freedom-but-you-can%E2%80%99t-take-my-knife

I hope you have a great trip, I want to get to Kashgar myself this year as it seems a lot more interesting than industrial and polluted Urumqi.

Best,

Steve

Hi Steve, thanks for your advice.
I shall definitely leave mine at home..
BW

... waiting for someone to give me some relevant info...

On your own, you won't "luck into" the sorts of people you want to watch without a local tour guide and certainly wouldn't be able to communicate. Suggest that you contact a Kashgar-based, Uighur-run company like one of the following:
www.oldroadtours.com
www.kashgarguide.com
www.uighurtour.com

One other note: Be careful about the sheep/goat processing thing. The Shufu county area (just west of Kashgar, including Upal and the G314 main road) has been a center for processing and a hotspot for anthrax. Suggest that you observe and don't touch anything--definitely don't take or accept any "souvenirs" involving raw wool/hair.

Steve, Kashgar's also very polluted these days, or at least it is in winter. It is much more interesting than Urumqi though...

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