A Must-Visit Sacred Land in Western Regions: The Pamir Plateau

📍Address: Pamir Plateau Scenic Area, Tizhnafu Township, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. 🚌Transportation: - Public Transportation🚌：First, arrive in Kashgar City, then take a bus from Kashgar Bus Station to Tashkurgan County. The bus will pass multiple scenic spots on the Pamir Plateau. - Self-driving🚗：Depart from Kashgar and drive along the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway (G314 National Highway). You can enjoy the scenic views of Oytagh Red Valley, Baisha Lake, and Karakul Lake along the way. - Chartered Car/Carpooling🚌：Many travel agencies in Kashgar offer chartered car or carpooling services, which allow for flexible itinerary arrangements. The drivers are familiar with the road conditions and scenic spots. ⏰Opening Hours: Most areas of the Pamir Plateau are open all day. However, some scenic spots have specific opening hours. For example, the Panlong Ancient Road used to be open from 12:00 to 18:00 in winter. 💰Ticket Prices: The Pamir Plateau itself is free of charge, but some scenic spots within the area require separate tickets. For example, the entrance fee for Muztagh Glacier Park is usually around CNY 45. 🌟Highlights: - Majestic Snow Mountains🌈：Muztagh Ata, Kongur Tagh, Kongur Tiube, and other snow-capped mountains stand tall, all above 7,000 meters above sea level. They are a paradise for mountaineering enthusiasts and excellent subjects for photographers.  - Dreamlike Lakes💐：Baisha Lake is half clear turquoise water and half white quicksand. The color of the lake changes constantly under the sunlight. Karakul Lake is surrounded by three snow mountains. On clear days, the reflection of the snow mountains in the lake creates a fairyland-like scene.  - Unique Landforms🌼：Oytagh Red Valley appears fiery red due to the iron oxide-rich mountains. There are also circular holes on the rock walls, resembling air bubbles. The Muji Crater is a typical dormant volcano. The minerals brought out during its eruption 1,500 years ago have rendered the surrounding land in vibrant colors.  - Cultural Landscapes🌺：Tashkurgan Stone City was once the capital of Puli, one of the 36 ancient kingdoms of the Western Regions. It was an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Although only ruins remain today, one can still feel the weight of history.  📝Tips: - Documents💐：Obtain a border pass in advance at your registered residence or a convenient police service station in Kashgar. - Clothing🌺：The Pamir Plateau has a high altitude, low temperatures, and changeable weather. Bring warm clothing such as down jackets, windbreakers, and thermal underwear, as well as sun protection such as sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats. - Altitude Sickness Prevention💐：Prepare medicines for altitude sickness in advance, such as Rhodiola. Move slowly in high-altitude areas and avoid strenuous exercise. Seek medical attention promptly if you experience severe altitude sickness symptoms. - Respect Local Customs🌈：The local population mainly consists of ethnic minorities such as the Tajik people. Respect their customs and religious beliefs.