After obtaining our border passes in Kashgar, we head towards Pamir Plateau which I am told has the most magnificent scenery in Xinjiang. Pamir Plateau (帕米尔高原) spans Tajikistan, China, and Afghanistan. Pamir translates to “Roof of the World” in Tajik. The ancient Silk Road passed through here and was once called Mount Buzhou. The plateau is 4,000-7,000 meters above sea level and the terrain is characterized by high mountains and deep valleys. The drive is about 5-6 hours from Kashgar to the main town, Taxkorgan (塔什) in the Tashikurgan County, which is the only Tajik autonomous county in China. Even though the drive is long, the scenery along the road is ever changing and mesmerizing.
Xin Ran Guo Ji Hotel in Taxkorgan 塔什欣然国际酒店
Baisha Lake 白沙湖, also known as Chaklak Lake, is a plateau flat lake surrounded by silvery white sand mountains. It is a 5A scenic spot that has only come into people’s attention in recent years. Baisha Mountain is also known as the “Sounding Sand Mountain” because whenever there is a strong wind, the mountain will make a sound. The place feels surreal and magical with the weather being quite unpredictable. We passed by the lake a few times and most of the time the water is not quiet enough for clear reflections. I can imagine how beautiful it is when the weather is clear without any wind.
Baisha Lake 白沙湖
Baisha Lake 白沙湖
Baisha Lake 白沙湖
Baisha Lake 白沙湖
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地) is about 30 km north of Taxkorgan County with an altitude of 3,050m above sea leavel. It is a plateau wetland at the foot of Muztagh Ata Peak with the Taxkorgan River flowing through it. Due to the convergence of countless mountain springs here, the Taheman Wetland, also known as Golden Pasture (金草滩), has become the largest grassland in Taxkorgan County. There is a viewing platform here with broad views of the blue skies, the snow-capped mountains, and the yellow and green grass of the wetland. You can also see the Tashkorgan Stone City from here.
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Sunset from Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地) viewing platform
Sunset from Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地) viewing platform
Sunset from Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地) viewing platform
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口), officially known as Kartimir Volcano Group, and also called the “Eyes of the Pamir” can be found deep in the Pamir Plateau. It is said that Mujie Volcano is neither a volcano in the traditional sense nor a mud volcano, but a calcereous spring-type “cold volcano” or simply a “spring-type volcano”. Most volcanoes are cone-shaped with craters on the top and hot magma. Mud volcanoes are cone-shaped as well but the materials that make up the cones are precipitated from mud or other fluids generally at room temperature. Bubbles appear not because it is hot (it is actually cool to the touch) but because of the hydrocarbon compounds such as methane. There are at least 68 volcanic cones and the material that makes up the volcano is not mud, but carbonate rocks mainly composed of calcium carbonate crystals. The small craters are like honeycombs whereas the large ones can accomodate thousands of people. I wish I had a drone for a closer aerial view.
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口)
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口)
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口)
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口)
Mujie Vocano Group (木吉火山口)
Visit to a local Tajik family and their almost 400-year-old stone house. This is one of the last remaining stone houses in the area and is now protected by the government. We were shown around the stone house and then invited to their newly built house for milk tea.
Tajik stone house
Tajik stone house
Tajik stone house
Tajik stone house
Tajik stone house
The framed Chairman Mao photo is actually an embroidery.
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖) is a resevoir within Tashkorgan County, also known as the Lower Bandir Reservoir or Kaneryang Dragon Pool. The water is melted glacier water and the color is sometimes dark blue, sometimes light blue, cyan. and even milky white due to the minerals.
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
Bandir Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Taheman Wetland (塔什曼湿地)
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道 is a 36 km section of the Taxian County-Waqia Township Highway winding through the majestic Kunlun Mountains. Built along the mountain ridge, it resembles a black dragon coiling in the mountains, hence the name Panlong Ancient Road. At an altitude between 3,000 to 4,100 meters, there are over 600 bends, most of which are hairpin bends, really testing the driver’s skills and physical fitness. At the foot of the mountain where you cross Xiaopanlong is a sign that reads “Today I have walked through all the detours and my life will be smooth from now on.”
“Today I have walked through all the detours and my life will be smooth from now on.”
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Panlong Ancient Road 盘龙古道
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
Pamir Plateau
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4 Responses
Beautiful picture Beatrice.. We visited the Pamirs in Tajikistan. It is a gorgeous landscape isn’t it? Maggie
Such a beautiful area. I’d like to return someday. 😃
It looks like an incredible part of the world. The photos are fantastic and it’s so cool seeing some of the reflections in the water. I’m sure the Tajik Stone House was really interesting too!
Pamir Plateau is truly a beautiful place and I think should be on everyone’s travel list 😃