Southern Xinjiang Loop: Driving Kashgar to Tashkurgan on the G314
If you only self-drive one road in southern Xinjiang, make it the G314 south from Kashgar to Tashkurgan. This is the Chinese half of the Karakoram corridor, and it delivers more dramatic change per kilometer than almost anything else in the region: oasis city, then canyon, then a 3,600-meter glacial lake, then a high Tajik plateau town at the roof of the world. It’s also a route with rules — get the permit, respect the altitude, and it rewards you all the way.
This is a two-day drive done well, one day rushed.
The Route, Stop by Stop
Kashgar (1,280 m). Fuel up, get your border permit, and stock water. The Old Town is worth a night before you leave.
Baisha Lake & Bulunkou. About 150 km out, the road passes the ‘White Sand’ lake and a series of blue reservoirs — easy photo pulls.
Karakul Lake (3,600 m). The star stop. Overnight at the lakeside yurt camp or hotel if you can; the morning reflection is the shot.
Tashkurgan (3,100 m). The Tajik county seat, base for the Stone City ruins and Khunjerab gateway. Overnight here.
Permits and Checkpoints
The Tashkurgan border permit is mandatory and checked at the Gez checkpoint. Have passport, visa, and permit ready; the stop is routine but firm. Foreign drivers should confirm their eligibility — some choose a local hired car precisely because the driver handles the paperwork and knows the posts.
Fuel and Logistics
Fill in Kashgar; the next reliable fuel is in Tashkurgan. There are basic services at Karakul but don’t rely on them. The road is paved and in good condition, but it’s high and exposed — weather turns fast, and snow can close the upper pass outside summer. Carry water, food, and a warm layer even on a warm day, because a breakdown at altitude is no joke.
Why Drive It Yourself
A hired car is easier on permits, but self-driving lets you stop at Baisha at the exact light, linger at Karakul past the tour buses, and feel the plateau instead of being shuttled. If your paperwork is in order and your body tolerates altitude, it’s the best drive south of the Tian Shan.
