Gaotai Old Town is a 600-year-old Uyghur settlement on a 40-meter-high loess cliff at the northeast end of Kashgar Old City. Its Uyghur name, Kozqiya Beshi, means “clay pottery village on the high cliff.”
Basic Facts
Location: Northeast of Kashgar Old City, on a 40m-high, 800m-long loess cliff
History: 600 years of continuous habitation; earliest settlement dates back 2,000 years
Area: ~57,000 m²; 640 Uyghur households
Style: Traditional Uyghur adobe/poplar-wood architecture
Status: Part of Kashgar Old City (5A scenic area); reopened 2023 after restoration
Unique Architecture
Vertical Expansion: Families added floors as they grew, creating interconnected “overhead buildings” and 50+ maze-like alleys
Signature Features:
Ladder houses: 2–3 stories with inner courtyards
Overhanging corridors: “Street-crossing buildings” spanning alleys
Earthy walls: Yellow mud-brick with carved wooden doors/balconies
What to See
Ancient Pottery Workshops: Local “Segiz” clay ideal for pottery; watch artisans throw pots on traditional wheels
Rooftop Views: Panoramic vistas of Kashgar Old City and the Tuman River at sunset
Handicraft Shops: Pottery, carpets, Atlas silk, and Uyghur musical instruments
Quiet Alleys: Experience local life—residents still live and work here
Visiting Tips
Ticket: Free
Hours: 9:30 AM – 8:30 PM (last entry 8:00 PM)
Best Time: Late afternoon (golden light for photos, cooler)
Combine: Pair with Kashgar Old City, Id Kah Mosque, and Yusup Khass Hajip Tomb
Highlights
Living Museum: One of China’s last remaining raw-earth architectural complexes with original residents
Cultural Authenticity: Less touristy than the main bazaar; immerse in Uyghur daily life
Silk Road Legacy: Reflects Central Asian and Islamic design influences
