Things to do in Kuqa

Kuqu, is an optional destination for Silk Road travel, the following is the things you can do in Kuqa.
1. More Grottoes
Even though I have not seen them, I do not want to forget to mention, that there are many ancient Buddhist grottoes in the mountains near Kucha. Kucha has been a flourishing center of early Buddhism from 3rd century till the end of Tang-Dynasty (around 900). As Kucha is located at the big karavan route from India (via today's Pakistan or Kashmir) to China, Buddhists monchs had to pass through Kucha on their way to China. The famous monchs, who brought Buddhism to China, are all mentioned in the tales about early Kucha.

Some of the grottoes around Kucha:
Kumtura, 30km south of Kucha
Simsim, 45km northeast of Kucha
Ar Yi, 60km north of Kucha
2. Subashi
About 20km north of Kucha are the ruins of a big city: Subashi. The ruins cover a big area on both banks of Kucha River. Two very big Buddhist monasteries have been here and mainly monchs lived in this city from early 4th to 12th century AD. With some fantasy you can see big stupas and halls. And if you are lucky (I was not, but one of my travelcompagnions was) you can watch big Iguanas in the sun.

3. Old Town
On the east bank of Kucha River is the Old Town located. There are two bridges to this part of the town. One which leads directly to the main square and one, which is on the highway to Kashgar. The first one was under construction in June 2007. So we had to drive an interesting detour on mudroads with old adobe houses.

Directly at the bridge is the big square, where a daily bazaar is held.
The old town has many small roads. Some of them cannot be used by cars. It is a nice and quiet expience of China travel to explore all those little ways. Sometime the beautiful doors are open and you can get a glimpse into courtyards with colorful flowers and friendly people, who may invite you to come in and admire the wonderful and clean house.
4. New Town

Kucha has two parts: the modern Chinese town and the Old Uygur Town. They are located on both sides of the Kucha River: New Townon the Eastern side and the Old Town on the Western. New Town consists mainly of drab Chinese buildings from the 1970s and 1980s and some modern highrise buildings. Today Kucha has about 100.000 inhabitants.
Kuqa is an optional destination for affordable China tours.