Atlas of China
Tashkurgan Stone City (Pamir Scenic Area) 塔什库尔干石头城Tǎshíkù'ěrgān Shítou Chéng
5A scenic area · National heritage site · Kashgar, Xinjiang
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Kashgar
- Region
- Xinjiang
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- 5A scenic area, National heritage site
About Tashkurgan Stone City (Pamir Scenic Area)
A 5A scenic area on the edge of Tashkurgan town built around the hilltop Stone City, the ruined walled town that was the seat of the Han-era kingdom of Puli and was greatly enlarged under the later kingdom of Qiepantuo, described by the monk Xuanzang on his way home from India. Its walls rise on stone footings with mud-brick above and enclose remains of the Jin and Tang periods and a Qing government compound, looking down over the meadows and streams of the Alar Golden Grassland wetland below. The area also includes the Caiyun Renjia Tajik folk village of traditional houses and a heritage park with Tajik music, dance and wedding-custom performances, and visits are made by shuttle bus from the visitor centre.
How to get to Tashkurgan Stone City (Pamir Scenic Area)
On the north-eastern edge of Tashkurgan town, about 290 km (roughly 4–5 hours) by road from Kashgar along the Karakoram Highway. It lies in a border area, so a border-area permit (边境通行证) is needed as well as a passport; check the current rules before travelling.
Nearby
Also within 20 km: Jirzankal Cemetery 吉尔赞喀勒墓地 (under 10 km).
On the map
Open Tashkurgan Stone City (Pamir Scenic Area) on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.
Open Tashkurgan Stone City (Pamir Scenic Area) on the map