Taxkorgan history

Tashkurgan is an ancient city with a rich history, situated on the high-altitude Pamir Plateau. For millennia, it served as a vital gateway connecting China with Central and South Asia, acting as a key hub on the legendary Silk Road.

Foundation and First Mentions

The city's name translates from Turkic languages as "Stone Fortress" or "Stone Tower," a reference to its ancient architecture. Historians link the city's origins to several important milestones:

• In the chronicles of the Han Dynasty, this region is mentioned as the Puli Principality, which existed over two thousand years ago.
• Many researchers identify the city with the famous "Stone Tower" described by the ancient geographer Ptolemy. It served as a major landmark for caravans travelling between the East and the West.

Key Factors of Development

The city's development was defined by its unique location and its role in international trade:

• Geography: Located at an altitude of over 3,000 metres, the city controlled strategic mountain passes leading to modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Trade: It was a vital caravanserai where merchants stopped to rest, replenish supplies, and trade before the arduous journey through the mountains.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of the ancient settlement was built on servicing trade caravans and high-altitude animal husbandry. The cultural landscape was shaped by the influence of numerous civilisations. Before the arrival of Islam, the region was a significant centre of Buddhism, while the local inhabitants—the Sarikolis and Wakhis—maintained unique traditions combining Persian and Turkic elements.

Major Historical Milestones

• 2nd Century BC — Early Han Dynasty chronicles mention the Puli Principality, located on the lands of modern-day Tashkurgan.
• Around 150 AD — The ancient geographer Ptolemy describes the famous "Stone Tower," which researchers identify with this city.
• 644 — The famous Buddhist monk and traveller Xuanzang visits the region and leaves detailed records of the local culture.
• Mid-7th Century — During the Tang Dynasty, a military protectorate is established here to guard the trade routes.
• 13th Century — Following the Mongol conquests, the territory becomes part of the Chagatai Khanate.
• 1759 — China, under the Qing Dynasty, establishes firm administrative control over the Pamirs.
• 1902 — The city receives official status as an administrative centre subordinate to Kashgar.
• 1954 — The Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County is founded, securing the region's special status.
• 1982 — The opening of the Karakoram Highway connects the city with Pakistan, reviving the ancient trade route.
• 2001 — The ruins of the ancient "Stone City" fortress are included in the list of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level in the PRC.

Stages of Formation and Development

The evolution of Tashkurgan is a journey from a defensive fortress on the edge of an empire to a modern tourism and logistics hub. Each milestone in its history brought significant urban and cultural changes.

• Formation of a Silk Road Hub

  In antiquity, the city became a key point for caravans travelling between China and Central Asia. This transformed the small mountain settlement into a thriving trade centre where goods and cultural traditions were actively exchanged between the East and West.

• Fortification under the Yuan and Qing Dynasties

  The military-strategic importance of the region led to massive construction of fortifications. The erection of stone walls and barracks not only strengthened defensive capabilities but also formed the historical architectural appearance, the ruins of which attract thousands of tourists today.

• Creation of the Tajik Autonomous County (1954)

  Receiving administrative status gave a powerful impulse to the preservation of the unique culture of the Pamiri Tajiks. The construction of schools, hospitals, and cultural centres began, significantly improving the quality of life for the local population and cementing the city's status as a regional capital.

• Opening of the Karakoram Highway (1980s)

  The construction of the high-altitude highway connecting China with Pakistan brought the region's economy out of isolation. The city became an important transit hub, stimulating the development of roadside services, trade, and international cooperation.

• Development of the "Golden Grasslands" Tourism Zone

  In recent decades, the focus has shifted to ecological and historical tourism. The creation of wooden boardwalks on the Alaer wetlands and the restoration of approaches to the ancient fortress have allowed for an organised flow of tourists without disturbing the natural balance.

• Launch of Khunjerab Airport (2022)

  The opening of the first high-altitude airport in the region became a crucial milestone in the city's modern history. This event drastically improved transport accessibility to the Pamirs, opening new opportunities for express cargo delivery and mass tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of a place like Tashkurgan is inextricably linked to its harsh high-altitude climate and strategic position on the Silk Road. You will not find European Gothic or Baroque here; the city's appearance was formed by the defensive needs of antiquity, the traditions of the Pamiri peoples, and modern urbanism brought by infrastructure development in China.

Antiquity: Fortification Architecture

The historical heart and main architectural landmark are the ruins of the "Stone City" fortress (Shitoucheng). This is a classic example of military architecture adapted to complex terrain.

• Period: Its peak occurred during the Tang (618–907) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties, although the foundations were laid much earlier.
• Characteristic Features: The use of rough stone and rammed earth (loess). The fortress walls have an irregular oval shape, following the contours of the rocky hill. Remnants of bastions and crenellated walls, which served as protection against raids and as a checkpoint for caravans, have been preserved.

Traditions: Vernacular Architecture of the Pamirs

In residential areas, especially in the old quarters and surroundings, vernacular (folk) architecture prevails, reflecting the lifestyle of the local Tajiks.

• Materials and Forms: Squat houses made of stone and adobe with flat roofs, which effectively retain heat during cold winters.
• Construction: Outwardly ascetic buildings conceal a complex internal structure. A traditional Pamiri house ("chid") is built around five supporting pillars and features a characteristic stepped wooden roof vault ("chorkhona") with a central skylight, which holds deep symbolic and sacred meaning.

Modernity: Neo-traditionalism and Functionalism

Since the end of the 20th century, and especially after the opening of the Karakoram Highway, the city began to be actively rebuilt. The modern stage of urban planning aims to create a comfortable environment for residents and tourists.

• Layout: A regular grid of wide asphalt streets, lighting, and landscaped squares has appeared, contrasting with the chaotic layout of past centuries.
• Style: Administrative and public buildings (museums, cultural centres, hotels) are often built in a style that combines modern concrete functionalism with elements of Eastern decor—pointed arches, patterned lattices, and stylised towers that highlight the local flair.

Notable Figures

The history of this high-altitude region is inextricably linked with the names of great travellers, commanders, and explorers. Thanks to its strategic position on the Silk Road, Tashkurgan has attracted the attention of prominent figures from various eras for centuries.

• Claudius Ptolemy (c. 100 – 170 AD)
  Ancient Greek scholar, astronomer, and geographer.
  In his fundamental work "Geography", he described the legendary "Stone Tower" (Lithinos Pyrgos). This structure served as the main landmark for caravans travelling from West to East, and most modern historians identify it specifically with ancient Tashkurgan.
• Ban Chao (32 – 102 AD)
  Commander and diplomat of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
  Played a key role in restoring China's control over the Western Regions (modern-day Xinjiang). His military and diplomatic successes ensured the safety of trade routes through the Pamirs and strengthened the region's ties with the central plains of the empire.
• Xuanzang (602 – 664 AD)
  Buddhist monk, scholar, and philosopher of the Tang era.
  Visited the city (then known as the Principality of Pantuo) during his famous pilgrimage to India. In his treatise "Great Tang Records on the Western Regions", he left invaluable descriptions of the local culture, religion, and architecture of that time, noting the piety of the inhabitants and the numerous monasteries.
• Gao Xianzhi (d. 756 AD)
  General of the Tang Dynasty.
  Led a legendary military campaign across the Pamir Mountains in 747. His army passed through Tashkurgan to conquer the Little Bolü principality (in modern-day Gilgit), demonstrating outstanding strategic mastery in extreme high-altitude conditions.
• Marco Polo (1254 – 1324)
  Venetian merchant and traveller.
  Passed through this region on his way to the court of Kublai Khan. In his "Book of the Marvels of the World", he described the harsh beauty of the Pamirs and the difficulties of crossing the "Roof of the World", mentioning the lifestyle of the local highlanders.
• Benedict Goës (1562 – 1607)
  Portuguese Jesuit and missionary.
  One of the first Europeans of the modern era to travel by land from India to China. His route passed through the Wakhjir Pass and Tashkurgan, which allowed him to definitively prove to European geographers that China and the mythical Cathay were one and the same country.
• Aurel Stein (1862 – 1943)
  British archaeologist and ethnographer.
  Conducted the first large-scale scientific studies of the "Stone City" fortress ruins in the early 20th century. His topographical surveys and excavations helped reconstruct the historical plan of the citadel and confirm its significance as an important hub of ancient caravan routes.