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Profiles of China Provinces, Cities and Industrial Parks



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Content provided by :  China Knowledge
   
5 Sept 2011
Kashgar (Kashi) ( Xinjiang ) City Information

Major Economic Indicators (2010)

Land Area (km2) 111,794
Population (million) 3.87
GDP (RMB billion) 32.64
GDP Composition
Primary Industry 37.04%
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Contruction)		 28.92%
Tertiary Industry (Service) 34.04%
GDP Per Capita (RMB) 8,569
Unemployment Rate 3.85%
Fixed Asset Investment (RMB billion) 20.8
Utilized FDI (USD million) N.A.
Total Import & Export (USD million) 1,013
Export (USD million) 1,013
Import (USD million) 0.866
Sales of Consumer Goods (RMB billion) 7.01
Source Source: Kashgar Prefecture Economic and Social Development Report 2009

   

 
Introduction
 
Kashgar Prefecture is located in the southwestern part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, bordering Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Kashgar is the westernmost region of China. It covers an area of 111,794 sq km. Its population was 3.87 million at the end of 2009. Uygur people account for approximately 90% of Kashgar's total population.

Kashgar has a complicated geography. It is divided into plain, desert, hill, plateau and mountain areas. Climate varies largely with location, but there is plenty of sunshine.

Kashgar is rich in natural resources. Mineral resources such as petroleum, natural gas, jade, gold, copper, aluminum, zinc, nickel, vanadium, titanium, crystal, mica are abundant.

Kashgar is an important transportation hub in southern Xinjiang. First of all, there are highways connecting Kashgar with cities including Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, Aksu, Tulufan, and all the counties under its administration. In addition, the China-Pakistan Highway also runs through Kashgar. Second, Kashgar is the end point of the Nanjiang Railway (which runs from Tulufan to Kashgar). Last, Kashgar Airport, the second largest airport in Xinjiang in terms of passenger throughput, operates daily flights to Urumqi.
 
Economic Features
 
Kashgar realized GDP of RMB 32.6 billion in 2009, representing a rise of 17.4% year on year. The prefecture's GDP accounted for approximately 7.6% of Xinjiang's total.

The agricultural sector generated value-added output of RMB 12.1 billion in 2009, accounting for 37% of the prefecture's GDP. Output of grain and cotton amounted to 2.6 million tons and 306,800 tons in 2009, contributing approximately 22.6% and 12.3% to Xinjiang's total, respectively.

Secondary industry (industry and construction), the smallest contributor to the prefecture's economy, realized value-added output of RMB 9.4 billion, accounting for 29% of Kashgar's total.

The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of RMB 5.4 billion in 2009, rose 22.7% year on year. Industrial enterprises with designated size or above generated value-added industrial output of RMB 1.7 billion, contributing 31.5% to the industrial sector's total.

Due to the large amount of cotton output, the textile industry is the most important industry in Kashgar.  

The service sector generated value-added output of RMB 11.1 billion, accounting for 34% of the prefecture's total GDP in 2009.

During 2009, approximately 1.5 million tourists visited the prefecture, while tourism income totaled RMB 680 million.

In 2009, the total import and export value of Kashgar amounted to US$1.013 billion, representing a decrease of 39.1% year on year. Export value sank 39% to approximately US$1.0 billion. Major export goods include metal containers, household appliances, plastic products, and iron and steel products. Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Pakistan are major export destinations.
 
Cultural Highlights
 
There are 31 ethnic groups living in Kashgar including the Han, the Uygur, the Hui, and the Tajik. The Uygur group, which is Muslim, is dominant in Kashgar. Muslim dress, food, etiquette, and marriage and funeral ceremonies are prominent in Kashgar culture.

Kashgar is a town of singing and dancing. As early as 1,000 years ago, Kashgar songs and dances were spread to the central plains of China. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Kashgar music and dances were very popular in Chang'an, the capital of China at that time.

During the Rouzi Festival (which falls at the end of September in the Hui calendar) and the Guerbang Festival (which falls on December 10th in the Hui calendar), local people will organize grand Muslim pilgrimages.
 
Tourist Attraction
 
Since Kashgar borders Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan, it boasts exotic scenery and unique Muslim cuisine. Local snakes including roasted lamb, baked bun, pull noodle, pancake and sausage are exquisite, affordable and nutritious.

In addition, there are various folk craftworks can be found in Kashgar. These include carpets, Yengisar knives, silk, hats, porcelain, jewelry, and different ethnic musical instruments. Consequently, Kashgar is widely praised as a folk art center.

Scenery spots in Kashgar include the Tomb of Xiangfei (who was one of most famous concubines of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing Dynasty), Kalakuli Lake, and Khunjerab Pass, which is a land pass between China and Pakistan.

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