Hidden in the backs of buildings and alleyways in the Old City are the teahouses of Kashgar, which serve as the traditional meeting place for Uyghur men.
Here, men gather before and after prayers for black tea and bread, which they soften by dipping into their cups.
Pots of tea are heated over wood-burning stoves. Smoke and steam mingle in the air, catching the odd ray of light that manages to come in from the window and into the dimly lit rooms.
Furnishings and décor are sparse; wood cabinets store pots and cups while elevated wood platforms serve as the seating area.
Patches of faded color hint at one-time painted walls and doors.
Many of the patrons are men in their fifties and sixties who come to enjoy the warmth and company of the tea house.
Topics of discussion generally revolve around day-to-day life or religion when the imam from the neighboring mosque appears.
As with many of the establishments in the Old City, the teahouses are an endangered species, threatened by demolition as well as new modern breeds of tea and coffee houses, selling imported goods and catering to the younger generation.
The character and feel of these traditional teahouses is undeniable. Stepping into one, as with so many places in Kashgar, is like stepping back in time.
Or rather, perhaps it is better said that these teahouses are timeless, unaffected and unconcerned by the passage of time, at least for now. Hopefully, as new high-rise towers continue to sprout up throughout the city, it will remain that way.
by FFrame
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