Yarkand

Yarkand (莎车; Shāchē) is a city in Xinjiang Province in China. The name is sometimes transliterated as Yarkant or Yarkhand. It is most useful as a stop to break up the long bus ride from Kashgar to Hotan. The tomb complex here is worth checking out if you're in town.

Get in
Yarkand is on the Southern Silk Road and can by reached by bus from Kashgar or Khotan. It is 200 km from Kashgar. Usually it takes 3 hours drive.


 * Bus from Kashgar takes 4 hours.
 * Bus from Hotan takes 6 hours.
 * Daytime train now runs from Kashgar to Hotan and stops in Yarkand at least once daily.

Yarkand is connected to Leh in northern India via a pass across the Himalayas. Historically this was an important Silk Road link, and Marco Polo probably crossed it. Today it is not much used because the Indian and Chinese governments are not on good terms.

Buy
Yarkand has been known as a centre of carpet weaving for centuries, and its carpets were historically traded along the Silk Road, making it as far as Europe. Be sure to check out some of the locally-produced carpets when you are here.

Drink
There are two main options for an alcoholic drink. One is the 'time machine' KTV bar across from the New Century hotel where a small KTV room costs ¥288 with 4 drinks of your choice included, you can stay there till 03:00 for this price if you wish. The Armani bar is the other option, most taxi drivers will know it. It has a school disco vibe full of fairy lights and lasers and with heavy hip hop, American and Russian, on rotation and a mixed Han and Uighur clientele. A Snow or WuSu beer costs ¥10. It is highly advised not to get drunk and be on the street. If you are tipsy getting a taxi is safest even if you are staying nearby at New Century or ShaChe hotel. Taxi rides should be ¥5.