Pamir Tourism Area, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region
Location: Tashikurgan Tajik autonomous county, Kashgar prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region
Website: www.pmrjq.com
Scenic Spot Level: AAAAA
Opening Hours:
The Stone City: Summer: 9:00-21:00
Winter: 10:00-20:00
Ticket Price:
The Stone City: 30 yuan($4.29)/person
Note: Due to its high-altitude location, visitors are asked to walk slowly and not speak loudly in case of anoxia.
A glimpse of the Golden Grass Beach National Wetland Park [Photo/pmrjq.com]
The word "Pamir" originated in the ancient Persian language. It means "the roof of the house" (and is also the true source of Pamir's reputation as the "ridge of the world").
However, the Tajik people who inhabit the Pamir Plateau have two interpretations of "Pamir": first, it refers to the highest place, from where the water flows to all over the world; second, it denotes the fertile grassland suitable for grazing.
The Pamir Plateau is an important area where the southern and middle routes of the ancient Silk Road converged and continued to lead to south and west Asia, and ultimately, to Europe. Garrisons and post stations were set here in the Tang (618-907) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties.
Pamir scenic spots boast rich and unique tourist attractions. With a scheduled scenic spot area of 3.1 square kilometers, the Pamir Tourism Area features the world-renowned Stone City relics, the fascinating Golden Grass Beach National Wetland Park, and the Tajik Folk Custom Village, each incorporating splendid Silk Road culture and precious high-altitude animals.
In 2014 the area was granted “international tourist destination of highland culture" by the then State Bureau of Tourism (which has now merged into the Ministry of Culture and Tourism). Facilities such as the Service Center and a tourism shopping area are available to meet the needs of visitors.
Distant view of the Stone City [Photo/pmrjq.com]