Pamir Tourist Area: A Detailed Travel Guide

The Pamir Plateau, known as the "Ancestor of Mountains," spans across Xinjiang, China, and several Central Asian countries. It is famous for its snow-capped mountains, lakes, grasslands, glaciers, and the unique Tajik culture. This is the westernmost secret realm of China and the prototype of the "Congling Mountains" in *Journey to the West*. I. Before You Go 1. Border Defense Permit Application 📄 ◦ Location: Local Public Security Bureau/Kashgar International Self-Driving Car and RV Camp (24-hour service). ◦ Designated areas: Tashkurgan County, Muji Township (if visiting the volcano), Khunjerab Pass. ◦ Expiration date: Usually 3 months. It is recommended to apply 1 day in advance. 2. Best Time to Travel 🌞 ◦ May - October: Mild climate, green grasslands, and clear views of Muztagh Ata. ◦ Avoid winter: November - March of the following year. Some roads are closed, and high-altitude areas are extremely cold. 3. Altitude Sickness Prevention 💊 ◦ Average altitude: 3,000 - 4,000 meters. Avoid strenuous exercise. Prepare oxygen tanks (available at pharmacies in Kashgar) and oral glucose solution. ◦ Avoid bathing, drinking alcohol, and staying up late upon arrival. II. Transportation Guide 1. How to Get to the Pamirs? • Starting city: Kashgar (a must-pass for Pamir travel). • Transportation: ✅ Self-driving/chartered car: Most recommended! The G314 National Highway (China-Pakistan Friendship Highway) offers scenic views along the way. Carpooling or chartering a car is recommended (4 - 6 person SUV, approx. CNY 1,200 - 1,500/day). ✅ Public transportation: Kashgar Bus Station → Tashkurgan County Bus (approx. CNY 60, 6 hours, limited schedules, inflexible). 2. Self-Driving Precautions 🚗 • Road conditions: Kashgar → Tashkurgan County is paved all the way. However, the Pamir Highway and Muji Township sections have many sharp turns and gravel roads, requiring an SUV. • Refueling: There are gas stations in Tashkurgan County, but none in the direction of Khunjerab Pass. Fill up whenever you see a gas station. • Speed limit: Many speed traps. The speed limit on the G314 National Highway is 60 - 80 km/h. III. Must-See Attractions 1. Along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314) 🛣️ • Oytagh Red Mountains: The crimson mountains resemble Mars. A free photo spot (approx. 100 km from Kashgar). • Baisha Lake: Entry fee CNY 40. Recommended stay: 1 hour. Best for photography in the morning with favorable lighting. Drones are allowed (beware of strong winds). • Karakul Lake: Entry fee CNY 45. The lake reflects Muztagh Ata. Stay in a yurt and experience the Kyrgyz culture. • Muztagh Ata: Glacier Park ticket + shuttle bus approx. CNY 150. Glacier No. 4 offers close contact with the "Father of Glaciers." 2. Tashkurgan County (Tashkurgan) 🏞️ • Stone City + Golden Grassland: Combined ticket CNY 90. The Golden Grassland offers stunning light and shadow at sunrise and sunset. Stone City is a Tang Dynasty relic. • Tajik Family Visit: Bookable in villages around the county (approx. CNY 50/person). Taste yak milk and watch eagle dances. • Khunjerab Pass: Currently not open to general tourists. You can visit the outpost (altitude 4,733 meters). Prior registration is required. 3. Off-the-Beaten-Track Gems 🌟 • Pamir Highway: Free! A popular spot for photos with the saying, "Having taken all the detours today, the rest of my life will be smooth sailing." Over 600 bends. West-in and east-out is recommended (navigate to "Wacha Township"). • Muji Volcanoes: Requires a border defense permit specifying "Muji Township." 18 dormant volcanoes coexist with wetlands. At sunset, the volcanoes reflect the snow-capped peaks. • Bandi'r Lake: Free. Tiffany blue in summer, ink blue in autumn and winter. No cell phone signal along the way. Navigate to "Xia Ban Di Reservoir." IV. Sample Itinerary 3-Day Classic Route 🗺️ • Day 1: Kashgar → Oytagh Red Mountains → Baisha Lake → Karakul Lake → Overnight in Tashkurgan • Day 2: Tashkurgan → Stone City and Golden Grassland → Pamir Highway → Bandi'r Lake → Overnight in Tashkurgan • Day 3: Tashkurgan → Muztagh Ata Glacier → Return to Kashgar 5-Day In-Depth Tour 🌄 • Add Muji Volcanoes, Khunjerab Pass outpost, Tajik village family visit, or extend to Shache and Yecheng. V. Accommodation and Food Recommendations 1. Accommodation 🏠 • Tashkurgan: ◦ High-end: Europa Manor (snow mountain view rooms, approx. CNY 800/night). ◦ Cost-effective: Kaitu International Hot Spring Hotel (oxygen-supplied rooms, approx. CNY 400/night). • Karakul Lake: Kyrgyz yurts (approx. CNY 200/yurt, no private bathroom). 2. Food 🍲 • Tashkurgan: Yak beef hot pot (recommended "Chongqing Quan Jia Fu"), Tajik馕bag meat, butter tea. • Bring your own snacks: Few restaurants along the way. Prepare馕, chocolate, and self-heating rice. VI. Avoiding Scams and Safety Tips 1. Tourist Traps 💸 ◦ Confirm prices before riding horses/camels (usually CNY 50/lap) to avoid being charged "photography fees." ◦ Horse riding prices at Muztagh Ata Glacier are inflated. You can hike 2 km (for those adapted to the altitude). 2. Safety Precautions ⚠️ ◦ The weather in the Pamirs is changeable. Bring down jackets even in summer. ◦ Drones are prohibited in border areas (near Khunjerab Pass and the national gate). 3. Environmental Protection and Respect 🌱 ◦ Do not trample on the wetlands of the Golden Grassland. Take your trash with you. ◦ Ask for permission before taking photos of Tajik people, especially women. VII. Packing List • Documents: ID card, border defense permit, driver's license. 📄 • Clothing: Jacket, fleece liner, sun hat, sunglasses. 🧥 • Medicine: Oxygen tank, ibuprofen, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness patches. 💊 • Other: Cash (no signal in some areas), power bank, moisturizing skincare products. 🔋 The Pamirs are a paradise for the eyes and a test for the body. With good planning, you will be captivated by this pure land! 🏔️🌌