[2025 Artux Attraction] Travel Guide for Atushi Tianmen Scenic Area (Updated May)

Shipton’s Arch, also known as “Toshuk Tagh” in the Uyghur language or (Ātúshi tiānmén) in Chinese, is considered to be the tallest natural arch in the world. It’s located in China’s western Xinjiang region. It takes about an hour hike through a sublimely lunar landscape, first along a dry river bed, then a bit up (wooden and metal stairs), finally several hundred wooden stairs to the arch which is comfortable however may be tiring due to height level and a bit thinner air. View from down is a bit misleading as to the real size of the arch - Photos do not do justice to this amazing place! You have to see it for yourselves! #shiptonsarch #hike #amazinglandscape #travelfreak

Embark on a captivating six-day journey through Southern Xinjiang, specifically Kashgar, a city that seamlessly blends ancient history with modern vibrancy, tranquility with bustling activity. Follow this guide to unveil the mysteries of Kashgar! / 🎒Itinerary: D1: Pamir Plateau -> Kongur Tagh -> Pamir Plateau -> Muji Crater 📌A day trip around the Pamir Plateau, taking in the breathtaking Kongur Tagh and the magnificent Muji Crater. D2: White Sand Dunes - White Sand Lake Scenic Area -> Pamir Plateau -> Taheman Wetland Park Observation Deck -> Kashgar Old Stone City -> Aral National Wetland Park of Pamir Plateau, Xinjiang 📌Enjoy the stunning scenery of the White Sand Dunes and White Sand Lake, traverse the Pamir Plateau, and visit the Taheman Wetland Park and the ancient Kashgar Old Stone City. D3: Pamir Plateau -> Panlong Ancient Road -> Tasha Ancient Road -> Tashkurgan River -> Apricot Blossom Valley in the hinterland of Pamir Plateau -> Apricot Blossom Valley in the hinterland of Pamir Plateau 📌Follow the Panlong and Tasha ancient roads, admire the beauty of the Tashkurgan River, and finally, immerse yourself in the Apricot Blossom Valley of the Pamir Plateau. D4: Muztagh Ata -> Muztagh Ata Glacier Park 📌Challenge yourself with a climb up Muztagh Ata and marvel at the stunning scenery of the Glacier Park. D5: Wuqia Colorful Beach -> Wuqia Colorful Beach -> Tianshan-Kunlun Mountains Confluence -> China's Westernmost Point Monument -> China's Westernmost Point Monument -> Irkeshtam Port 📌Stroll along the vibrant Wuqia Colorful Beach, then explore the confluence of the Tianshan and Kunlun Mountains, the China's Westernmost Point Monument, and the enigmatic Irkeshtam Port. D6: Atuush Heavenly Gate Scenic Area 🔚On the final day, visit the Atuush Heavenly Gate Scenic Area, concluding this wonderful trip. / Must-Visit Spots: 🗻White Sand Dunes - White Sand Lake Scenic Area: The rocks on the mountain have eroded into a unique powder, while the interplay of lakes and rivers below creates a breathtaking spectacle. 🏞️Muztagh Ata Glacier Park: Rich in glacial landscapes, you can witness ice towers and ice caves firsthand, and even have the chance to observe wildlife, a truly wondrous encounter between humanity and nature. ⛰️Pamir Plateau: Walking here feels like standing on the roof of the world. The stunning scenery will leave you in awe and reverence. A must-visit! / 🎒Travel Preparations: Essential Items for Your Trip to Southern Xinjiang - Kashgar 👕First, let's talk about clothing. Kashgar starts to warm up in March, but there's a significant temperature difference between day and night. It's recommended to wear a thick jacket or down coat, and also pack some spring and autumn clothing for layering. Shufu County has a large desert, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun and dust with a hat and scarf. 🔍Second, prepare some travel accessories. Kashgar is rich in Buddhist culture, with attractions like the Grand Bazaar and the Id Kah Mosque. A good camera with extra batteries is recommended. Also, bring sunscreen, patches, and other sun protection items. 📔Third, documents are crucial. Remember to bring your ID card, bank card, sufficient cash, and other important documents and financial items for payment and emergencies during your trip. 🧳Lastly, don't forget basic daily necessities like toothbrushes, towels, toiletries, and common medications. As Kashgar is geographically remote, some specialized items may be difficult to find, so it's best to prepare them in advance. / 💼Well, that's all for the Kashgar trip. Having witnessed the beautiful scenery and tasted the authentic local cuisine, you'll regret not going, and yearn to return after your visit!

Tianmen Mountain check-in, the scenery is very beautiful and special! Tianmen stands in the mountains of the Pamir Plateau, the first half of the hike is in the valley, the scenery is sparse and ordinary, but the second half suddenly opens up, and the towering Tianmen appears in front of you, still very shocking. The wind is not big or even windless. After buying a ticket, you can take a minibus to the hiking point at the entrance of the scenic area (or walk for about 40 minutes), climb about 2 kilometers of mountain road to Tianmen, and the area near Tianmen is quite steep, which is a wooden plank road. The highest point is less than 3000 meters above sea level, there is almost no altitude sickness, and the difficulty is very low. The visitor center has a small supermarket and hot food stalls, offering ramen, fried rice, and barbecue. The prices are not high for a scenic area, lower than inland, and the taste is okay. There are no inhabitants within tens of kilometers, so it is recommended to dine here. Be sure to protect yourself from the sun, as the ultraviolet rays are extremely strong. It is 80km from Kashgar, about 1.5h by car, and the road conditions are very good, mostly highway.

A guide to the beautiful hiking route of Atushi Tianmen in southern Xinjiang Atushi Tianmen, a secret place praised by international adventure magazines as a world-class adventure destination, is hidden behind Kashgar, Xinjiang. It is a beauty that can shock you to the core! 【Location Unlocked Located in Atushi City, Kizilsu, Xinjiang, it is only 70km away from Kashgar City, which is a perfect choice for surrounding tours! [Navigation Guide] Directly input "Atushi Tianmen" and let the navigation lead the way! How to get there] How should I put it about the transportation here? It really tests your determination! There are no buses and day trips are not supported. You can only choose to drive yourself or charter a car, but this uniqueness and originality is the charm of this place. [Ticket Status] At present, the scenic spot is still under construction and is in a semi-open state, but don’t worry, there are people selling tickets during working hours, 45 yuan per person. When we went there, the staff hadn't started work yet, so we just walked in and bought a ticket when we came out. It was also an experience~ 【Hiking Exploration】 If the shuttle bus to the scenic area is out of service, you will have to move on your own! Go through the gate and follow the cement road to the end. Going forward will be a stone road and a river valley. Remember to park your car, grab your gear, and start hiking! Go all the way along the river valley, after four sections of river valleys and three sections of plank roads, the "Fish Playing in the Mountains" attraction is right in front of you. Going further, the last section of the river valley and plank road is even more challenging, but really, when you climb to the top, you will find that all the efforts are worth it! 【Photography Guide If you want to take stunning photos, remember to bring a high-performance drone. The wind is strong here, so the stability of the drone is crucial. When the weather is good, the snow-capped mountains opposite Tianmen are clearly visible, and the four layers of scenery superimposed on each other are incredibly beautiful! I took the photos myself using a Fuji camera, but unfortunately some of the snow-capped mountains in the distance were backlit and could not be captured. No one took a photo for me, so I took a selfie as a souvenir! Tips: The beauty here is not only visual, but also the shock that can only be experienced by stepping on it in person. It is absolutely delicious! How can you miss such a great hiking spot when you come to Kashgar? Follow Dahuang and he will help you discover more beauty of travel!

Ticket: 43 (Teachers and police officers are free, remember to bring your ID, I forgot if doctors are included) Time⌚: 11:00--15:00 Warm tips: It is recommended to wear long pants. It's not cold during the climb, but there is a section with strong winds. Comfortable shoes are a priority. The mountain is quite primitive, and it's very tiring to reach the top. The altitude at the summit is three thousand meters. It's a place where you can challenge yourself on a weekend. Friends who like hiking can also try it after coming here.

This time there is a chance. I had seen an introduction to Atushi Tianmen in China National Geographic a long time ago, and was looking forward to seeing its uniqueness, but it seemed out of reach. This time I had the opportunity to experience its charm up close, and it was really worth the trip. It is very convenient to drive from Kashgar to Atushi Tianmen by yourself. It takes about an hour and a half to get there after taking a section of highway and then getting off the road from Kashgar. After buying tickets at the gate of the scenic area (because it is the winter tourist off-season and there are no shuttle buses), it takes about twenty minutes to walk from the gate of the scenic area to the shuttle bus stop. From the shuttle bus stop, which is the end of the asphalt road, the hiking section is mainly an irregular goose-warm stone road surface, with three sections of iron steps of different lengths in the middle. Finally, when you are close to Tianmen, there is a gently sloping goose-warm stone road surface of about 100 meters, so you need to pay attention to your feet. Overall, the road conditions are suitable for most people, but because the altitude is more than 2,000 meters and the altitude gradually increases along the way, it is recommended that friends who rarely go hiking outdoors walk slowly. Standing on Tianmen and looking down, you can’t see the bottom of the sea; looking straight ahead through Tianmen, you can see the snow-capped mountains. In addition, after May, Tianmen Scenic Area has another high mountain route (Figure 3), where you can see Tianmen from "outside" Tianmen, and see the wilderness outside Tianmen from "outside" Tianmen!

Tianmen is located in the southern range of the Western Tianshan Mountains in Shangatushi Township, Atushi City, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region! Standing at Tianmen, one can’t help but feel that nature’s sculptures are so magical, and that every stone here seems to be cast with a beautiful spell, like a magical mural, or like arriving in another fairyland! The eye-catching giant dragon stone is coiled on the cliff, as if it was made by nature and is a masterpiece of nature! How ingenious and skillful nature is, to decorate it so magnificently and yet gorgeously! A sky gate contains the blue sky, the oasis and the mountains. When people come here, their mood becomes brighter! Legend has it that the gods in heaven descended to the earth through this gate to bestow their blessings on the human world. There is also a saying in the local area that one enters the fairyland by stepping into the gate of heaven! The wonders and temptations of Atushi Tianmen do not end there. It has stood here quietly for a thousand years, waiting for more people to appreciate its magnificent wonders!

I've reorganized the photos in my phone and drone, here's another set from Artush Heaven's Gate. 🗓Itinerary: Thursday Shanghai to Urumqi to Kashgar Friday Kashgar to Artush Heaven's Gate Saturday Heaven's Gate to the junction of Tianshan and Kunlun, stay in Wulukeshiti Sunday Tianshan Kunlun to West Pole, stay in Simuhana Monday Simuhana to Irkeshtam border crossing to West Pole to Kashgar 👍Most recommended: 1. Artush Heaven's Gate 2. The junction of Tianshan and Kunlun 3. West Pole Stele