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Stone City is a famous ancient city site on the ancient road in Xinjiang. It is the intersection of the central route and the southern route of the ancient Silk Road. Several routes leading to the Pamir Plateau from Kashgar, Shache, Yingjisha and Yecheng all converge here.
The castle was built on a high hill, facing an extremely steep terrain. Outer walls, sometimes intermittent and sometimes continuous, were constructed using stone blocks and earth, following the contours of the hill. The walls are undulating and winding, forming a roughly square shape with a circumference of over 1,300 meters. The overlapping rock mounds and piles of rubble between the walls create a unique stone city landscape. Cultural relics indicate that the ancient city was abandoned during the Tang Dynasty, having once served as the capital of the Jiepantuo Kingdom. After the Tang government unified the Western Regions, large-scale construction and expansion projects were undertaken, transforming the old stone city into a new one. Today, the former prosperity and authority are gone, with only ruined walls standing silently in the setting sun.
Spring and autumn are short and windy, there is no distinct summer, and winter is long, cold, dry and rainy.
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Stone City, also known as Tashkurgan Stone Fortress, dates back over 2,000 years. It was an important military outpost on the ancient Silk Road and a key defensive stronghold for various kingdoms and empires. It represents the cultural exchange between Central Asia and China.
Stone City is in Tashkurgan County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang. The most common way is by road from Kashgar (about 300 km, 5–6 hours by car or bus). Taxis and private cars are available, but no metro exists in this remote area.
Typically open daily 9:00–18:00. The best time to visit is May to October when weather is pleasant and skies are clear.
Entrance is around 50–60 RMB. Tickets can usually be bought at the gate; online options may be limited due to the remote location.
Advance booking is generally not required; same-day purchase is sufficient.
About 1–2 hours is enough to explore the ruins and viewpoints.
Local guides may be available in Chinese and sometimes English, though availability is limited. No official audio guides.
Start at the main gate, explore the fortress walls, walk through the ruins, then head to the highest point for panoramic views.
No night visits or light shows; visits are limited to daytime hours.
It is usually not crowded due to its remote location. Weekdays are especially quiet.
Basic facilities like toilets and small kiosks may be available near the entrance. Limited food and water options—bring your own.
Paths are uneven and involve climbing, so it may be difficult for elderly or disabled visitors. Children can visit with supervision.
Cash is safer, though some places may accept Alipay/WeChat Pay. International cards are rarely accepted.
Restaurants in Tashkurgan town nearby serve local Uyghur and Tajik cuisine.
Halal food is widely available; vegetarian options exist but vegan choices are limited.
Small shops sell handicrafts such as carpets, embroidered textiles, and local jewelry.
