Travel restrictions in Kashgar Prefecture/Xinjiang?

travel for a foreigner/Westerner or Asian like me in Xinjiang/Kashgar Prefecture (since last year's protests and conflict between Uighur & Han). The new regulations/restrictions in Kashgar & vicinity, I hear, are similar to what exists in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. One needs a 'guide & driver'. How true is this? Would I be able to move around freely in Kashgar? After 3 days or so in Kashgar - late September - I want to take the bus to Karakul lake; would I be able to do this?