Panlong Ancient Road | From Now On, Life Is a Smooth Journey

| From now on, life is a smooth journey. Panlong Ancient Road Travel Guide | Crossing the "Sky Road" wonder of the Pamir Plateau 🚗✨ 1. Route Overview Panlong Ancient Road is located in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County (abbreviated as Tax County), Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is known as the "internet-famous road" on the Pamir Plateau 🌍! The total length is about 75 kilometers, ascending from 3,000 meters to 4,200 meters above sea level, featuring 208 extreme hairpin turns, magnificent snowy mountain canyons, stunning plateau lakes, and rich Tajik culture. It is a dream challenge for self-driving enthusiasts and photography masters! 🤩 2. Best Travel Time - May to October: - May to June: The plateau's ice and snow begin to melt ❄️, wildflowers dot the canyon, as beautiful as a fairy tale! - July to September: Stable weather, roads are clear (but beware of occasional landslides during the rainy season, stay safe ⚠️) - October: Autumn colors dye the meadows 🍂, and the snowy mountains look even more majestic! - Avoid winter: From November to April, heavy snow closes the mountains and roads, don’t make a wasted trip! 3. Transportation and Itinerary Planning [Self-driving Route] 1. Classic Loop (starting from Kashgar): - Day 1: Kashgar → Oyitake Red Mountain 🔥 → Baisha Lake 🌊 → Karakul Lake → Muztagh Ata Peak → Tax County (overnight); - Day 2: Tax County → Panlong Ancient Road (Big Panlong → Small Panlong) → Waqia Township → Bandier Blue Lake → Tax County; - Day 3: Tax County → Stone City → Jincao Beach → Return to Kashgar. 2. Vehicle Requirements: - Four-wheel-drive SUVs are the best choice; ordinary sedans can also pass but drive carefully 🚙 - Check brakes and spare tires before departure, prepare snow chains (high altitude may encounter ice and snow ❄️) [Border Pass Application] - Location: Kashgar International Self-driving and RV Campground (free application, just bring your ID card! 🆔) - Note: Remember to specify "Taxkorgan County" or "Xinjiang Tourism," valid for 7-10 days~ 4. Must-visit Spots and Experiences 1. Core Section of Panlong Ancient Road - Starting point: Tax County → Waqia Township direction, at the entrance a sign reads "Today I have passed all the bends, from now on life is a smooth journey," a must-photograph spot! 📸 - Big Panlong: Viewing platform overlooking the panorama (4,200 meters above sea level), drone shots show the bends like a giant dragon winding the mountain, super stunning! 🐉 - Small Panlong: Dense consecutive hairpin turns, thrilling driving experience with adrenaline rush! 💥 2. Scenic Spots Along the Way - Bandier Blue Lake (Xiaban Reservoir): The lake water changes between blue and green with the light; when frozen in winter, it looks like a huge emerald, breathtakingly beautiful! 💎 - Muztagh Ata Peak: The "Father of Glaciers" reflected in Karakul Lake; at sunset, the snowy mountain turns golden, creating an amazing atmosphere! 🌄 - Waqia Township: Tajik village where you can experience sheep herding horse races and listen to melodious eagle flute performances during summer festivals 🎵 3. Cultural Landmarks - Stone City Ruins: Tang Dynasty Western Region fortress, visited by Xuanzang on his pilgrimage! (Entrance fee 30 RMB) 🏰 - Jincao Beach: Wetlands below Stone City, golden in autumn with morning mist, like being in a fairyland ☁️ 5. Precautions and Safety Tips 1. Altitude Sickness: - Maximum altitude 4,200 meters, prepare oxygen bottles and glucose in advance, avoid strenuous exercise! 💨 - It is recommended to acclimate in Kashgar for one day before going to the plateau; those with heart disease or hypertension should be cautious! ❤️ 2. Road Conditions and Driving: - The bends are sharp and steep; beginners should not drive alone (car hire with local driver about 800 RMB/day) 🚘 - Some sections have no guardrails; control speed (limit 30 km/h), yield to oncoming vehicles by moving closer to the mountain side! 🚦 3. Climate and Gear: - Large temperature difference between day and night; bring down jackets, windproof hats, sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness)! ❄️ - High SPF sunscreen (SPF50+), lip balm, moisturizing spray are essential to combat dryness! 💦 4. Supplies and Signal: - No gas stations along the route; fill up in Tax County ⛽ - Most areas have no signal; download offline maps in advance and inform friends and family of your itinerary! 📱 6. Accommodation and Food [Accommodation Recommendations] - Tax County: - Kaitu International Hot Spring Hotel: Oxygen rooms to relieve altitude sickness, about 600 RMB/night, very considerate! 🛏️ - Guesthouse: Cost-effective choice, about 300 RMB/night, clean and affordable! - Nomad’s Home (Waqia Township): Experience Tajik yurts and local customs, about 100 RMB/person (remember to book in advance!) 🏕️ [Food Guide] - Tajik Cuisine: - Sirbulinji (lamb pilaf), Haks (yak jerky), milk tea with naan, irresistibly delicious! 🍖 - Recommended restaurant: Tax County’s "Ice Mountain Visitor" restaurant, about 50 RMB per person for a full meal! - Kashgar Flavors: - Roasted buns, jarred meat, pomegranate juice, a must-visit at Kashgar night market, one bite and you’re hooked! 🍢 7. Photography Tips - Equipment: Wide-angle lens for panoramic shots of bends, telephoto lens to compress snowy mountains and roads, a magic tool for great photos! 📷 - Golden Hours: - Sunrise: East side of Panlong Ancient Road to capture morning light on the bends (around 8:00 in summer) 🌅 - Sunset: Bandier Blue Lake or Muztagh Ata Peak (around 20:30 in summer) 🌇 - Starry Sky: Low light pollution around Tax County, bring a tripod and high ISO camera to capture the Milky Way, super romantic! 🌌 8. Sample Itinerary (5 days 4 nights) - Day 1: From various places → Kashgar (apply for border pass) → Kashgar Old Town Night Market, start the food journey! 🍢 - Day 2: Kashgar → Oyitake Red Mountain → Baisha Lake → Muztagh Ata Peak → Tax County; - Day 3: Tax County → Panlong Ancient Road → Bandier Blue Lake → Waqia Township → Tax County; - Day 4: Tax County → Stone City → Jincao Beach → Kashgar; - Day 5: Return from Kashgar (can extend to Shache, Yecheng for more surprises!) 🎉 Panlong Ancient Road is a romantic dialogue between courage and beauty, every bend is a gift from nature! Prepare well before departure and conquer this "must-drive" sky road of life! 🚗🏔️📸