Current location:Global Gazetteer news portal > opinions
A vibrant city on ancient Silk Road
Global Gazetteer news portal2024-05-21 15:06:16【opinions】2People have gathered around
IntroductionThe ancient city of Kashgar, which has a permanent resident population of around 200,000 and is loca
The ancient city of Kashgar, which has a permanent resident population of around 200,000 and is located in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has greeted over 7 million tourists so far this year.
Apart from domestic tourists, there are also motorcycle travelers from Europe, foreign journalists and a young Tanzanian woman, with the latter having decided to settle down there.
Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed, the ancient city has once again been propelled into the limelight as a gateway for opening up.
Booming tourism, better infrastructure
As the night closes in, streetlights flicker on, and Kashgar becomes even more alive with tourists joyously exploring a city with a history of more than 2,000 years.
Neil Munro, from Britain, walks into a restaurant with friends to savour the famous local barbecue and beer.
Munro's tour group of seven hails from seven different countries -- Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, New Zealand and Finland. Their passion for motorcycling brought them together on a trip which started in Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, from where they traveled to Kashgar via the Irkeshtam port.
After a two-day stay in Kashgar, the group will motorcycle through several other Chinese provinces including Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan, before finally arriving in Laos.
This is Munro's third visit to Kashgar. When he first traveled there in 1999, he was wowed by the unique culture and he soon began learning Chinese.
"At that time, there were only some old buildings in the ancient city, the streets were narrow and dirty. Now, it is clean and beautiful, more comfortable and more attractive," Munro said.
The ancient city of Kashgar is one of the largest surviving earthen buildings in the world.
In 2010, a renovation project with an investment value exceeding 7 billion yuan (about $975 million) was launched. Within seven years, the dilapidated houses were rebuilt but without changing their architectural characteristics and their traditional Uygur lifestyles.
Provided with such improved infrastructure, residents of the ancient city not only started to lead safer and more comfortable lives, but were also placed in a position more suitable for boosting modern tourism.
"The people in the ancient city of Kashgar are very welcoming, while the food here is the best I've ever eaten east of Florence. I feel that Kashgar is full of energy," said Sirpa Jarvenpa, from Finland, who took part in the long motorcycle ride along with her husband.
"Kashgar creates a fun and romantic atmosphere, and we can find Central Asian cuisine, but also food from other parts of China, which you probably can't experience in Shanghai or Beijing," said Robert Zagorski, who comes from Poland and arrived in Kashgar with another motorcycle fleet.
Address of this article:http://malawi.fivesixgroup.com/content-03d199814.html
Very good!(56)
Related articles
- Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
- Woman who grew up in polygamist Mormon CULT lays bare horrifying truth about INCEST inside the sect
- Air Vanuatu files for bankruptcy protection after canceling more than 20 flights
- Alabama lawmakers adjourn session without final gambling vote
- 'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
- Elizabeth Taylor documentary with never
- Hossler, MacIntyre share 1st
- Angel Reese invites Michael Jordan to watch her play for Chicago Sky ahead of WNBA season
- Liverpool confirms Arne Slot as Jurgen Klopp's replacement
- Inside Jackass star Steve
Popular articles
- Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
- Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan stuns in an all
- Pregnant Jenna Dewan shops for baby clothes in LA after accusing ex
- Life after Florida Georgia Line: Brian Kelley is ready to reintroduce himself with new solo album
Recommended
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen out for Game 2 against Celtics with bruised ribs
Woman who grew up in polygamist Mormon CULT lays bare horrifying truth about INCEST inside the sect
Michael Palin reunites with his Monty Python co
Here comes the char
Baby Reindeer's 'real
Inside British Airways' HQ control room
Drake shares cryptic post amid ugly feud with Kendrick Lamar
Links
- Rojas and France help the Mariners knock off the Twins 10
- Police launch probe after man in his 20s found shot behind the wheel of a locked car
- Head and Sharma's electrifying opening stand earns Hyderabad 10
- Grease star Susan Buckner dead at 72: The actress played cheerleader Patty opposite Olivia Newton
- High school students, frustrated by lack of climate education, press for change
- Advocates ask Supreme Court to back Louisiana's new mostly Black House district
- Eva Mendes sparkles in head
- Former corrections officer sentenced to 4 years for using excessive force
- I'm a dating coach
- New Jersey deadbeat dad's final sickening act as strangers fought to save his six