Stone City

Introducing Stone City 
Stone City is the ancient city ruins situated on the northern side of Kashgar. Stone City is constructed on a steep mount with rugged topography. The surrounding area features multi-level or scattered walls, forming a unique stone city landscape characterized by overlapping stone mounds. Spending some time at this site allows for the appreciation of the city’s historical significance and the stunning vistas of the snow-capped mountains, expansive grasslands, and the rich traditions of the Tajik people.

Stone City Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Shi Tou Cheng 石头城
• Best Time to Visit: August & September
• Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Local Folk Customs, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 30
• Address: In the north of Tashurgan County, Kashgar City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Watch this video showcasing Stone City
Kind Notice: This video is not available in China (YouTube is blocked).

History of Stone City

The site served as the palace city of the Puli Kingdom during the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), one of 36 kingdoms in the area. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the region was unified, and an administrative government office was established. The city walls were expanded during the early Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and in 1902, the Qing government (1644-1912) repaired the palace and constructed a new town south of it. After this, the stone city fell into disuse.

What to expect at Stone City

Built on a mound of 20 meters high (about 67 feet high), all that remains of the Stone City today are some parts of the periphery of city, such as the gate, city wall whereas the buildings inside the city had all collapsed. However you can still enjoy the view of the ruined city, the surrounding snow-crowned mountains, grasslands, rivers and even the flavor of national traits of the Tajik people.

 

The Stone City is almost a square shape and measures more than 1300 meters in perimeter. Built on a high precipitous hill, the Stone City has multilayer of constant or disconnected city walls which were constructed according to the terrain with stones. The highest wall is high as 6 meters, and among walls are overlapped stones in a mess, which constitute a unique sight of the Stone City. Watchtowers were built in the four corners but unfortunately collapsed. On the outside city wall in the west and north, Mamian (a devil in the netherworld in Chinese Culture) carvings were found; while in the ruins of an ancient Buddhist temple, many a pottery, copper cash of Tang Dynasty, cloths, silk fabric, and a palm leaf manuscript in Sanskrit were excavated.

How to get to Stone City
• There is a coach departs from Kashgar to Tashkurgan each day; the coach gets to Tashkurgan in the evening and will depart for Khunjerab Pass and Sost, a Sino-Pakistan border town of Pakistan the next day.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Kashgar to Stone City.

Additional travel advice on Stone City
• There is no hostels in Tashkurgan County; the Tajik are very kind and friendly, and can receive visitors in their house with reasonable price;
• It is a must to get a border pass before enter Tashkurgan, and visitors can have a travel agency to apply for one.