KASHGAR (AFP) – Chinese travellers throng the bazaars of old Kashgar, munching mutton kebabs and soaking up heavily commodified Uyghur culture – part of a government push to remould Xinjiang into a tourism paradise.
Kashgar is an ancient Silk Road oasis and the government is pumping cash into repackaging a state-approved version of their culture to attract domestic and foreign travellers.
On a recent visit by AFP journalists to old Kashgar, thousands of tourists crowded streetside stalls selling silk scarves and steaming naan.
Other visitors snapped selfies in front of the pastel-yellow Id Kah Mosque.
“The old town is the heart and soul of Kashgar, with a long history, rich culture and unique architecture,” said an Uyghur tour guide as she whisked visitors, mainly from China’s Han majority ethnic group, through the narrow streets.
“Many tourists like it so much that they come back, start businesses… and live here alongside other ethnic minorities as one big family.”
Dozens of stores catered to a trend for “travel snaps” taken by a professional photographer, where tourists can pay over CNY1,500 (USD205) to don spangled veils and pose around the city in Uyghur clothing.
