Shipton’s Arch: The World’s Largest Natural Stone Arch Near Kashgar
Introduction
Shipton’s Arch, known locally as Tushuk Tash, is one of the largest natural stone arches on the planet, a 100-meter span of rock carved by wind and water in a remote canyon about 70 kilometers northwest of Kashgar. It was measured and made famous by the British explorer Eric Shipton in 1947, then lost to the outside world for decades until a National Geographic team relocated it in 2000. Today it ranks among the most rewarding offbeat hikes in southern Xinjiang.
Unlike the region’s famous lakes and old cities, this is a genuine adventure. Reaching the arch means a drive into the foothills followed by a scramble up a dry riverbed, and the payoff is a glimpse of a formation so large it feels engineered. For fit travelers who want to escape the tour-bus circuit, Shipton’s Arch delivers a sense of discovery that the headline sights sometimes lack.
Getting There
The arch sits in the Pamir foothills west of Kashgar, near the village of Ujlap. Most visitors hire a 4×4 or SUV with a driver from Kashgar, since the final approach leaves the paved road for a rough track that ordinary sedans should not attempt, especially after rain. The drive takes about two hours each way, and you will want to start early to allow time for the hike and the return before dark.
There is no public transport to the trailhead, and signage is minimal, so a local driver who knows the route is effectively mandatory. Some Kashgar guesthouses can arrange a shared car, and a few adventure-oriented agencies run guided day trips that include the permit logistics and a guide who can point out the arch from the correct angle, which is harder than it sounds given how the canyon hides it until the last moment.
Best Time to Visit
The hiking season runs from May to October, with the most stable weather in June and September. Spring brings melting snow and swollen streams that make the riverbed crossing treacherous, while late autumn turns cold quickly at altitude. Summer is warm but can be uncomfortably hot on the exposed approach, so an early start is wise.
Avoid the weeks after heavy rain, when the dry canyon can flash-flood and the track becomes impassable. Clear, dry days are best not only for safety but for light, since the arch is most photogenic when the sun sits high and rakes into the opening. Check the Kashgar forecast the night before, and be flexible enough to postpone if the mountains look stormy.
What to See and Do
The experience has two parts: the drive through changing landscapes, from Kashgar’s plains into the eroded red and grey hills of the Pamir edge, and the hike itself. The walk from the trailhead follows a boulder-strewn riverbed for roughly two kilometers, then climbs a short but steep scree slope to a viewpoint where the arch suddenly appears overhead, a vast keyhole of sky framed by pale rock.
Spend time at the base, where the scale is almost impossible to grasp until someone stands beneath it. The local guides often know a route that loops higher for a top-down view, which is spectacular but only for sure-footed hikers. Birdlife and small mammals use the canyon, and the silence away from the wind is profound. This is a place to sit, eat your packed lunch, and appreciate that you are standing under one of the largest natural arches known to exist.
Combine the trip with the Karakul Lake road if you are already heading toward the Pamir, since the turnoff shares the same corridor. Even if you do not continue to the plateau, the drive out and back gives you a taste of the mountain country that defines western Xinjiang without the altitude of Tashkurgan.
Travel Tips
This is a moderate-to-strenuous hike: wear sturdy shoes with grip, carry at least two liters of water per person, and bring snacks, as there are no facilities at the site. A walking pole helps on the loose scree. Tell your driver your expected return time, and agree on a meeting point, because mobile signal is weak and the canyon all looks similar from inside.
Hire a guide at the trailhead if one is available, as the correct path is not obvious and the arch is invisible until you are almost beneath it. Respect the local environment by carrying out all trash, since the site is unprotected and fragile. If you are acclimatizing for the Pamir, note that this hike starts low and is a good shakedown for the altitude you will meet further west.
Nearby Attractions
Kashgar itself, with its old city, Id Kah Mosque, and Sunday bazaar, is the natural base and a worthwhile destination in its own right. The Karakoram Highway begins here and climbs toward Karakul Lake and Tashkurgan for those continuing west. Closer in, the Abakh Khoja Mausoleum makes an easy cultural pairing on the same day, letting you balance a morning of architecture with an afternoon of mountain air.
Conclusion
Shipton’s Arch is not for everyone, but for travelers who like their sights earned rather than handed to them, it is unforgettable. The combination of a rugged drive, a satisfying scramble, and a natural wonder of continental scale makes it one of southern Xinjiang’s best-kept secrets. Go prepared, go early, and you will likely have the arch entirely to yourself.
