Kashgar: The City of Longevity

Kashgar is known as the city of long-lived people. It is the city in China with the most centenarians. The record holder is a 135-year-old man from the city. However, in the past, it wasn’t as peaceful as it is now. This place is at the intersection of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan. The Wakhan Corridor, a hotspot for terrorism, is just 250 kilometers away from us. This is the place where the U.S. transported ISIS fighters from Syria. In comparison, Kashgar feels like a completely different planet.

The Chinese Central Government has allocated 130 billion yuan for the development of this city. In 12 districts, 190,000 families have been lifted out of poverty. A revolution has taken place in areas such as infrastructure, employment, health, and education. History and modern life coexist. The past and the future walk hand in hand. The 620-year-old old city still stands strong. It is the most beautiful example of a human-centered approach. The story of the city’s transformation is a true success of socialism.

HUMAN-CENTERED URBAN TRANSFORMATION

At the center of Kashgar lies a 620-year-old ancient city. In adobe houses, 49,000 families, approximately 220,000 people, live. To witness the transformation of this old city, we first visit the Comprehensive Protection and Management Museum. Here, the state of the city before modernization is displayed. We are confronted with a scene of no infrastructure, no sewage, electricity, or water, with streets filled with garbage and dilapidated buildings. However, in 2007, the Chinese Central Government decided to transform the area. Over the course of 8 years, 49,000 homes were restored to their original state. During the restoration process, homeowners were relocated to other neighborhoods for free. However, they were also involved in the design process of their own homes.

Most of the investment was covered by the Central Government, a portion by the Xinjiang Regional Administration, and some by the Kashgar Municipality. The families contributed a very small amount. Thus, the historical and cultural fabric of the region was preserved while creating a safe and livable city. A total of 7 billion yuan was spent on the project. Now, every home has electricity, water, and natural gas. These structures have also been reinforced against earthquakes. Social facilities and sports complexes have been established in the area. Residents have also transformed their courtyards into cafes, turning the place into a tourist hub. UNESCO officials visited and examined the transformation process on-site and noted that they received no complaints. This is one of the finest examples of a “people-centered” approach.

‘DON’T WORRY ABOUT US’

Across from the old city, there is a magnificent mosque. It’s called Idgah Mosque, the largest in Xinjiang and one of the symbols of Kashgar. It was built in 1442. Here, we are greeted by the mosque’s imam. He tells us that five daily prayers are held in the mosque and that people gather here for religious holidays and special occasions. Meanwhile, I notice a huge carpet hanging on the mosque’s wall. It turns out this was a gift. It was presented to the mosque by the Xinjiang Regional Administration on the occasion of a holiday in 2013. It has 56 mint leaves on it, representing the 56 ethnic groups.

After explaining the history of the mosque, the imam says:

“Don’t worry about us. Every citizen’s religious beliefs are guaranteed here. Our mosque has been restored five times, and large sums of money were spent. The original state of the mosque was preserved during these restorations. The local and central governments made significant investments in infrastructure. The government also places great importance on the lives of the religious staff in the mosque. They cover all our expenses. We are grateful to the government for the good conditions.” I hope that those who write headlines like “China is Destroying Mosques and Uyghur Culture” in the Turkish press will come and spend some time in the lush courtyard of Idgah Mosque.

WOMEN ON MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY

The largest market in Kashgar is set up around Idgah Mosque. In fact, it’s five markets within one. Every street is filled with shops displaying different products. One street is fragrant with the smell of spices, while another is home to silk sellers… There’s even a 6th-generation blacksmith here. You can see all the skills of the Uyghurs. Life is vibrant as ever. The difference between Kashgar and Urumqi is that 90% of the residents here are Uyghurs. Therefore, colorful clothes and the sound of music in the streets are more prevalent. Women dress as if they are going to a wedding. There is also an abundance of electric motorcycles in the city. Roads are allocated for them. The women, dressed in bright colors and riding their motorcycles, add a unique touch to the city.

THE VILLAGE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH GUINNESS RECORDS

After exploring Kashgar, we leave the market and head to a village called the Village of Musical Instruments. This place has been under national protection since 2000. The villagers have been making musical instruments for 150 years. The government has provided them with modern workshops. Currently, 273 families in the village produce musical instruments. Over 500 people from these families produce 50 types of national musical instruments in 27 categories. There are also 9 master craftsmen in the village, producing 8 different musical instruments. They are training many young people here. Some make dutars, some make rebabs… They also have an interesting achievement. They have made it into the Guinness Book of Records by creating the world’s largest musical instruments. Here’s a documented piece of Uyghur culture for you.

FREE STATE-RUN NURSERIES

Now I will tell you about one of my most enjoyable visits in Kashgar. We go to a village school, but it’s at the nursery level. Normally, compulsory education in China is 12 years, but here it’s 15 years. The state has opened 117 nurseries for children aged 3-6. Education is free. There are 128 children in the school we visit. There are 25-26 children per classroom. Each classroom has both a Uyghur and a Chinese teacher. They play games, sing songs, and develop their creativity here.

Meanwhile, the villagers leave their children at the nursery and go to work in the fields. The state gives a stipend of 2,800 yuan annually to those who enroll their children in the nursery. Textbooks and other necessities are also provided for free. If you saw the little ones here, you wouldn’t be able to get enough of them.

PLANNED AGRICULTURE

Then we leave the school and visit a village house. The homeowner welcomes us with a large table set in the courtyard with products from his own garden. He tells us that he is engaged in both agriculture and animal husbandry. While we thought he must be well-off and his house looks quite stylish, he explains that the government has restored all the houses in the village. Natural gas has also been brought to this village. The infrastructure is complete, and the roads are double-lane. Greenhouse farming is quite developed. But more importantly, he has no worries about selling his products. Why? Let’s explain…

THE VILLAGE COOPERATIVE HAS REACHED THE WORLD

After leaving the village house, we visit a company called Xinjiang Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. This company was also established in 2017 to support the villagers. They plan production every year in collaboration with agricultural research institutes. Then they buy the villagers’ products, process them, and sell them worldwide through e-commerce. Their slogan is, “You choose the beautiful fruits of Xinjiang from us.” We are welcomed by the Vice Chairman of the Board. He tells us that they started with a capital of 400,000 yuan in 2017, and their sales exceeded 280 million yuan last year. “Our mission is to support the local people and ensure their development,” he says.

The factory employs 300 workers full-time. 91% of them are Uyghurs. The minimum wage is 6,000 yuan. Additionally, villagers can come and work at the factory for an hourly wage during their free time.

The company currently has 120 shareholders, 57 of whom are from minority groups. The Board of Directors consists of 5 people, 2 of whom are Uyghurs. Even more interestingly, the company makes its most successful employees shareholders every year. Thus, the workers hold the highest positions in management. Don’t you think this is a beautiful production model?

THE SECRET OF LONG LIFE

To understand the revolution in Kashgar, remember Afghanistan under U.S. occupation. Terrorism, drugs, corruption… The only law is lawlessness. Zero security, zero development, zero education, zero infrastructure… No rights, no justice. No jobs, no food, no shelter. Women have no name. Because there is no independence. These are the conditions that Kashgar once experienced nearby. But the people of Kashgar know they are lucky.

Everyone you ask says the same thing: “If the state weren’t here, we wouldn’t be any different from Kabul.”

And they are not wrong. They live their beliefs and culture to the fullest, and they also feel safe. Women are present in every aspect of life. There’s plenty of land to cultivate and factories to produce… They have jobs, food, and houses to live in… There is peace in this city. I think the secret to a long life lies in this.

There is a daily performance at the entrance gate of the old city. Hundreds of tourists who come to explore the city line up to watch this show. The artists perform Uyghur dances in traditional costumes. After the show, the gate opens, and visitors flood into the city.