What are we buying?
Kashgar mostly traded with Africa, India, and Central and Southern Asia, notable cities include Constantinople and Xian. This continued for thousands of years
They usually traded such luxuries as silk, spices, gold, and various precious gemstones, transported via caravan
Silk and carpets made in Hotan are sold at bazaars, as well as local crafts, such as copper teapots and wooden jewellery boxes
Thousands of farmers from the surrounding fertile lands come into the city to sell a wide variety of fruit, vegetables, and livestock
The City of Trade
As part of the Chinese Empire, Kashgar was able to have access to the Silk Road, which allowed it to grow as a trade city, and allowed its goods to reach to far off lands.
In terms of landmarks, Kashgar is surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains, the Pamir range and the vast Taklamakan Desert, so it had to rely on the Silk Road to get it's goods across the world.
Then and Now
Currently, Kashgar is still very relevant in trade, as large scale bazaars are open every Sunday, where goods such as the ones sold in ancient times are still exchanged, and has been exchanged for over 2000 years. These bazaars are the fuel for Kashgar's economy, showing that it is still a city of trade.
In Kashgar's rich history, many skirmishes have been fought over it. Kashgar was first taken by the Han dynasty in about 60 BC, but throughout history it passed into the hands of many countries. However, in 1934, the Republic of China was able to capture it for good, and it has been a part of China ever since.
Culture
As with most countries on the Silk Road, Buddhism spread to Kashgar rapidly through its connection to trade. Islam is also very popular here, and has been for over 2000 years. On Fridays, up to 20,000 people all go to the mosque for prayers. Almost all people in Kashgar is Muslim
Works Cited
"FOLLOWING ANCIENT FOOTPRINTS." Silk Road. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
"Silk Road." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Mickle. "Kashgar & The Southern Silk Road." The Silk Road:. 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Province, By. "Silk Road Map - Useful Maps of Silk Road Routes." Silk Road Maps. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Kristof, Nicholas D. "Kashgar, On China's Silk Road." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 May 1994. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.
"Silk Road." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Mickle. "Kashgar & The Southern Silk Road." The Silk Road:. 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Province, By. "Silk Road Map - Useful Maps of Silk Road Routes." Silk Road Maps. Web. 04 Nov. 2016.
Kristof, Nicholas D. "Kashgar, On China's Silk Road." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 May 1994. Web. 4 Nov. 2016.