The tourist itinerary from Kashgar to the Hongqilafu Port mainly includes sightseeing along the way and experiencing the port upon arrival.
Departing from Kashgar and driving along National Highway 314 for about 415 kilometers, visitors can arrive at the Hongqilafu Port.
Along the way, tourists will pass by many worthwhile attractions. For example, the Aoyitake Glacier Park, which is praised as a fairyland of snowy mountains, forests, and grasslands, and the apricot blossoms blooming by the roadside in spring add even more beauty.
Mustagh Ata Peak is also a must-see attraction, with its sight of ice and snow meeting the mountains being very impressive. From the viewing platform, visitors can capture a panoramic view of the smaller Winding Ancient Road accompanied by Yardang landforms.
Furthermore, Baishahu Lake attracts numerous tourists with its breathtaking scenery of lakes and mountains. Visitors can park by the lake to take photos; there are few cars and the scenery is beautiful.
In addition to these natural attractions, the Hongqilafu Port itself is also a place worth visiting. It is the endpoint of the China-Pakistan Highway’s domestic section leading from Kashgar, and there stands a boundary marker marking China’s territorial border. Due to harsh weather conditions, the Hongqilafu Port is only open from April 15th to October 15th, and is closed for the rest of the year.
During the open season, there is a constant stream of tourists and merchants here, offering a unique border experience.
To more comprehensively experience the scenery and culture of this area, tourists can also consider taking a multi-day trip. For example, a three-day trip itinerary suggests departing from Kashgar and first visiting the Aoyitake Red Valley, Baishahu Lake, and Mustagh Ata Glacier Park, then spending the night at Tahaman Wetland; the second day heads to the Hongqilafu Port, followed by a visit to the盘龙古道 (Winding Ancient Road) and Bandier Blue Lake; the last day visits Stone City Golden Grass Beach, Karakul Lake, and the south shore of Baishahu Lake, before finally returning to Kashgar.
In general, the tourist itinerary from Kashgar to the Hongqilafu Port will bring visitors magnificent natural scenery and a unique border experience.