Kashgar Prefecture, Administrative prefecture in southwestern Xinjiang, China.
Kashgar Prefecture is an administrative division in southwestern Xinjiang that covers a large area with the city of Kashgar serving as its capital. The prefecture includes multiple counties and sits within a historically important trading region between mountain ranges and the Tarim Basin.
The territory was reorganized administratively in 1956 following the dissolution of the former Yarkant Prefecture. This restructuring was part of China's early administrative reforms and established the current division.
This region has long served as a crossroads along the Silk Road, shaping how residents live and interact. The bazaars, mosques, and trading routes visible today reflect the merchant traditions that connected communities across Asia for centuries.
The area is easiest to navigate by using the city of Kashgar as your main reference point and following major routes. Travel is most comfortable during warmer months when roads and mountain passes are more accessible.
A powerful earthquake in 1902 devastated much of the region and permanently altered settlement patterns across the area. This event left deep marks on local geography and how communities were rebuilt.
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