Chalachigu Valley

Chalachigu Valley or Karachukur Valley is a valley in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, China. It borders Afghanistan to the west, Tajikistan to the north and Pakistan to the south. It borders Taghdumbash Pamir to the east, Gojal to the south, and Little Pamir to the north and west. The name of the valley is from Kyrgyz meaning "black cave".

The valley is part of the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve. The protected Marco Polo sheep is only found around this area. The Chalachigu River or Karachukur River () flows through the valley and is a tributary of Tashkurgan River. The region is often referred to by the Chinese as the Chinese portion Wakhan Corridor. There is an ethnic Kyrgyz village call Bayik ( or )

The entire Chalachigu Valley is closed to visitors; however, local residents and herders from the area are permitted to access.

In March 2017, CCTV-7's ''Documentary for Military'' program produced a mini-series covering the numerous border outposts in Chalachigu Valley.

Mountain Passes

The valley was a significant thoroughfare of the Silk Road during ancient times. Around the valley are numerous passes connecting to other countries:

* Tajikistan - Beyik Pass
* Afghanistan - Wakhjir Pass, Tegermansu Pass
* Pakistan - Kilik Pass, Mintaka Pass

Of the above passes, it is believed that the famous Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Xuanzang traveled through Wakhjir Pass on his return trip back to China around 649 AD. Some Chinese historians argue that he also used Beyik Pass on his way to India.

See also

*Afghanistan–China border
*China–Pakistan border
* China–Tajikistan border
*Dafdar
* Beyik Pass
* Tegermansu Pass
*Wakhjir Pass
*Kilik Pass
* Mintaka Pass

References

External links

Kalachukur river basin
OpenStreetMap, retrieved 27 May 2022.

{{Authority control

Valleys of Xinjiang
Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County