Shache, China

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Shache, China

Region: Xinjiang


Geographic Coordinates: 38.426100, 77.250000
Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 35.0°C (-4°F to 95°F)
Climate: Dry and arid with hot summers and cold winters.
Population: 851374
Language: Uyghur

Shache, Which is also known as Yarkand, Is a Chinese city located in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It has a population of around 500, 000 people and has been an important center for trade and commerce for centuries due to its location on the ancient Silk Road. The history of Shache dates back to at least the 2nd century BCE when it was part of the Kingdom of Khotan. It became an important center for Buddhism and Islam as well as a hub for trade between China and Central Asia over time.

Marco Polo even visited Shache during his travels along the Silk Road. One of Shache’s most famous landmarks is its old town, Which is over 1, 000 years old. The narrow streets are lined with traditional Uyghur homes made from mud bricks that have intricate wood carvings. Visitors can explore local bazaars selling everything from spices to textiles or visit historic sites such as the tomb of Ammanisahan.

In addition to its rich cultural heritage, Shache is known for its natural beauty surrounded by mountains including Karakoram Range which includes some of the tallest peaks in the world such as K2 (the second-highest peak after Mount Everest). Visitors can hike or ski in these mountains or explore nearby deserts such as Taklamakan Desert. Despite recent challenges due to tensions between ethnic Uyghurs and Han Chinese settlers who have moved into Xinjiang over time resulting in violent clashes in 2014 resulting in dozens of deaths efforts are being made to promote tourism while preserving cultural heritage.

For example, Restoring historic buildings promoting traditional crafts like carpet weaving & building high-speed railways connecting other cities could boost economic development. Overall, Shache offers visitors a glimpse into Xinjiang’s rich history & culture through ancient Silk Road heritage & stunning natural beauty making it a fascinating city that has something for everyone.



Primary Industries

  1. Agriculture: Shache is known for its fertile land and produces crops such as cotton, wheat, corn, and fruits.
  2. Textile industry: There are several textile factories in Shache that produce textiles like cotton yarn, fabrics, garments and blankets.
  3. Mining industry: The city has rich mineral resources including oil shale reserves which have been exploited since the 1970s.
  4. Tourism: Shache is a historically significant city with many ancient sites including mosques and tombs that attract tourists from all over the world.
  5. Handicrafts: Traditional handicrafts such as embroidery, carpets and wood carving are produced by local artisans in Shache.
  6. Transportation services: As an important transportation hub between China and Central Asia via the Karakoram Highway (KKH), logistics companies provide transportation services to move goods from one location to another within or outside of China.
  7. Retail sector: With an increasing population of middle-class consumers, retail stores have opened up selling clothing items along with electronics gadgets like smartphones or laptops among other products at competitive prices for customers who want quality at affordable rates.

Noteable History

  1. The Silk Road: Shache was a crucial stop on the ancient Silk Road that connected China to Central Asia and Europe.
  2. Timur: In 1389, the famous Central Asian conqueror Timur (also known as Tamerlane) conquered Shache.
  3. Yakub Beg: Yakub Beg was a powerful local leader who ruled Shache during the mid-19th century and established an independent state in Xinjiang.
  4. Qing Dynasty: During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), Shache served as a significant center for trade and cultural exchange between China and Central Asia.
  5. Islamization: In the 10th century, Islam began to spread throughout Central Asia, including in Shache, where today over 90% of its population is Muslim.
  6. Uyghur culture: As a predominantly Uyghur city, Shache boasts rich cultural heritage that encompasses music, dance, literature and cuisine.
  7. Kashgar-Baghda Railway: Construction began on this railway line connecting Kashgar to Baghda through Yarkand County in 2010 with plans for completion by 2020.
  8. Urumqi riots: A series of violent riots occurred on July 5th-7th, 2009 after peaceful protests by ethnic minority Uighurs turned into violent clashes between Han Chinese residents and security forces resulting in hundreds dead or injured.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Shache Grand Mosque: A beautiful mosque built during the Qing dynasty with unique Islamic architecture.
  2. Shache Ancient City: An old city with a rich history and culture that dates back to the Han Dynasty.
  3. Shache Museum: A museum showcasing the local history and culture of the region.
  4. Silk Road Museum of Hotan Prefecture: A museum that displays artifacts related to the ancient Silk Road trade route.
  5. Hetian Jade Market: A market where visitors can buy jade products which are famous in this area.
  6. Karez Irrigation System: An ancient irrigation system that has been used for over 2000 years to provide water for agriculture in this arid region.
  7. Taklamakan Desert Park: A park where visitors can experience desert life and sand dunes while enjoying camel rides and other activities.
  8. Karakul Lake Scenic Area: A picturesque lake surrounded by mountains, located on the Pamir Plateau along the Karakoram Highway.
  9. Muztagh Ata Mountain Scenic Area:A scenic area at Muztagh Ata mountain with stunning views of snow-capped peaks.

Please note that some of these places may be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions or other reasons beyond our control; we recommend checking their official websites before planning your visit accordingly.



Sports Teams

  1. Football (soccer) – China has a national football team and several professional football leagues.
  2. Basketball – The Chinese Basketball Association is the top professional league for men’s basketball in China.
  3. Table tennis – Table tennis is one of the most popular sports in China and has produced many world champions.
  4. Badminton – Badminton is another popular sport in China, with many top players competing internationally.

It’s possible that there are local amateur teams or clubs for these sports in Shache, but without more information it’s difficult to provide specific histories of any teams.



Cultural Events

  1. Uyghur Meshrep Festival: Celebrated by the Uyghur community in Shache, this festival features traditional music and dance performances.
  2. Eid al-Fitr: This Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated with feasting and prayer.
  3. Chinese New Year: Also known as Spring Festival, this holiday is celebrated with fireworks, dragon dances, and family gatherings.
  4. Shache Horse Racing Festival: Held every year in August or September, this festival features horse racing competitions and other traditional activities.
  5. Silk Road International Cultural Expo: This event showcases the cultural heritage of the Silk Road region through exhibitions, performances, and trade shows.
  6. Grape Harvest Festival: As a major grape-growing region in China’s Xinjiang province, Shache celebrates its harvest season with a festival featuring wine tastings and grape-themed activities.

Note that these events may vary from year to year depending on local customs and traditions.


Cuisine

  • Xinjiang Roast Lamb: A famous dish in the region made with lamb meat roasted over an open fire.
  • Hand-pulled noodles: A traditional Uyghur dish served with a variety of meats and vegetables.
  • Big Plate Chicken: A spicy chicken stew served on a large plate with potatoes and noodles.
  • Kebabs: Grilled skewers of meat (usually lamb or beef) seasoned with spices.
  • Uyghur-style dumplings: Steamed dumplings filled with minced meat and vegetables.

Some popular restaurants that serve these dishes include:

  1. Tianxianglou Restaurant
  2. Xinyue Muslim Restaurant
  3. Yipinxiang Halal Restaurant
  4. Jiahecheng Uyghur Food City
  5. Huijia Muslim Restaurant

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