Gaotai Ancient Homes
Gaotai Ancient Homes
4
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
72 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
26
Average
20
Poor
0
Terrible
1
kurts
Villach, Austria56 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
There are a number of reviews on GaoTai, but none clearly describes where it is located - we had to hard work to find it. First of all, if you ask anyone local who understands English (mostly some hotel staff, guides) or taxi drivers, they will direct you to the "Old Town", which is the restored part of the original Uygur city - and of course worth to be seen!
But there is a second old town, the GaoTai, the untouched, unrestored GaoTai, which nobody wants you to see (reasons see in other comments).
Actually it is north of the East Lake Park, with entry from the Tuman Rd (opposite the second, southern gate to the restored Old City, where the potteries are located), following a sign "Terraced Folk Residence". You will then be warned by a sign, that access is forbidden, because buildings fall apart - well we survived it.
Another access is south of the Grand Bazaar, via a bridge with two portals over the Tuman river.
Show the attached photos to the taxi driver, they will know where to set you off.
Hurry, soon this may be gone - and prepare yourself for a sad sight !
But there is a second old town, the GaoTai, the untouched, unrestored GaoTai, which nobody wants you to see (reasons see in other comments).
Actually it is north of the East Lake Park, with entry from the Tuman Rd (opposite the second, southern gate to the restored Old City, where the potteries are located), following a sign "Terraced Folk Residence". You will then be warned by a sign, that access is forbidden, because buildings fall apart - well we survived it.
Another access is south of the Grand Bazaar, via a bridge with two portals over the Tuman river.
Show the attached photos to the taxi driver, they will know where to set you off.
Hurry, soon this may be gone - and prepare yourself for a sad sight !
Written September 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jetsetgirl24
Singapore, Singapore195 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
For years I’ve wanted to see Western China, and saw myself walking through the old towns of Kashgar. I kept telling myself it will always be there, but forgotten the world is changing rapidly, especially China. Kashgar was the supposed highlight of my trip, for weeks through our travel, I couldn’t contain my excitement for finally making my way to Xinjiang. And I realized I was 10 years too late and was disappointed with myself for taking so long as the ancient town was completely razed and left just rubbles, and in its place stood a Disneyfied replica of it and glossed over with the state’s version of the indigenous culture. It wasn’t just the city that was demolished, it took with it the Uigher’s history and heritage. Bureaucratic flex by the Chinese government are palpable throughout Kashgar and the region: Chinese propaganda at every corner, dozens of checkpoints and cameras, influx of Hans diluting the Uigher’s population, and the ever presence of police had the whole region felt like it was under martial law, especially in Kashgar. The real Kashgar is gone for most part. I’ve sadly missed the boat, and in its place the sanitized vision of it by the Chinese government that didn’t satisfy what I went looking for.
Tips: The Original ancient city is like a km outside of the city, across from the local bazaar. It’s mostly razed, but you could still walk around the perimeter of it. Just don’t wear your favorite shoes you wouldn’t want to have a hard time cleaning dust and sand off it.
Tips: The Original ancient city is like a km outside of the city, across from the local bazaar. It’s mostly razed, but you could still walk around the perimeter of it. Just don’t wear your favorite shoes you wouldn’t want to have a hard time cleaning dust and sand off it.
Written June 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry H
Portland, OR502 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This was my second visit to Kashgar, but the first time I visited the Gaotai Ancient Homes. On my previous visit, the government was busy tearing down this old section and replacing it with a "new old-town". Since then, they have realized the tourism benefit of the ancient town, so they are leaving it alone and even lighting it!
These homes are over 600 years old. The streets are narrow and interesting. You will find small shops, antique stores and craftsmen scattered throughout the area.
Be sure to visit the pottery craftsmen. You go into their shop, then up a rickety ladder to their work area. It is all very interesting!
These homes are over 600 years old. The streets are narrow and interesting. You will find small shops, antique stores and craftsmen scattered throughout the area.
Be sure to visit the pottery craftsmen. You go into their shop, then up a rickety ladder to their work area. It is all very interesting!
Written October 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margrantcanada
Regina, Canada120 contributions
Apr 2015 • Friends
the ancient city is falling down (try to have a look to the part where the tourists are not common) and the rebuilding program is simply what the Iraq government was making in Babylon: a pure fake. If you go to watch the new development with this in mind, it is funny.In the future it will look like a "silk road town " as we imagine in the Conan movies....Try to ask your guide to show you the actual town and then go to see these works...It is interesting how to transform a nothing-left to a tourist attraction.
Written June 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuchfreundHH
Beijing, China7 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
What is authentic here? Not the “old town” as such; but still - the people living here. As to the architecture, the so called “Old Town” is definitely a remake - bigger, “more beautiful“, and... you may guess...
Sadly, the only remaining old part - North of Donghu (East Lake) - opposite the main East Gate to the “Old Town” - is crumbling and won’t survive for long.
A place that gives you to think!
Sadly, the only remaining old part - North of Donghu (East Lake) - opposite the main East Gate to the “Old Town” - is crumbling and won’t survive for long.
A place that gives you to think!
Written May 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Archaeobuff
Sydney, Australia2,033 contributions
Sep 2017 • Solo
There are two old towns - the crumbling remnant of the real old town of which there are a couple of reviews here - but most of the reviews are of the renovated new old town called Ga Er elsewhere on TripAdvisor. This review is of the real old town accessed across a pedestrian bridge from the Grand Bazaar or City Market. It is the last bit of the Old Town that the Govt. has left and it is crumbling away before our eyes. In a few years it will be derelict and the Govt. will have the excuse to finally remove this last vestige of the real old town. See it whilst you can and whilst people are still living there.
Written October 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren A
Kunshan, China78 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I've been living/traveling in China for 3 years and this was probably one of my favorite experiences. I loved getting to see a place so unique and different from the rest of china. I think I could've wandered the alleys of the old city forever. People watching was so much fun here. Definitely a must if you are in Kashgar!
Written August 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hpizka
Kirchheim bei Munich, Germany22 contributions
May 2017
The old houses represent the traditional architecture. Look for the fine decorated door knows or door locks, the
elaborated windows. Look for the antic lanterns. Some small little restaurants invite you. The light for taking pictures is great. Watch the children how happily they play their old children games. They all are curious about you and friendly absolutely - no beggars seen anywhere.
elaborated windows. Look for the antic lanterns. Some small little restaurants invite you. The light for taking pictures is great. Watch the children how happily they play their old children games. They all are curious about you and friendly absolutely - no beggars seen anywhere.
Written July 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
874World
Lisbon, Portugal95 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
The tension between the Han Chinese government and the Uighur's is palpable everywhere...and certainly plays out in this area. Under the guise of making the historic area safe from earthquakes, the Government is tearing down all traditional homes (and expropriating the land) and replacing them with much nicer replicas. The pros and cons of this will certainly be explained if you get to know local Uighur or Han residents. Right now, seeing this area is the best reason to visit Kashgar.
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YTzebra
Miaoli, Taiwan69 contributions
Sep 2013 • Solo
There are full of Uighur styles and still,are locals living inside.Also,there are some houses opened for tourists and you could find something interesting.
The only bad thing is that the government is trying to tear the old houses down and built new ones.This thing happened all around China.
The only bad thing is that the government is trying to tear the old houses down and built new ones.This thing happened all around China.
Written October 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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