Taxkorgan Reserve, Nature reserve in Xinjiang, China
Taxkorgan Reserve is a nature reserve in Xinjiang's mountains featuring alpine meadows, deep valleys, and glacial lakes. The terrain rises above 4,500 meters in elevation and creates a rugged mountain landscape shaped by ancient glaciers.
The area served as a trading hub on the historic Silk Road connecting East and West for centuries. This position shaped the region's role as a vital passage for merchants and travelers moving between distant lands.
The region has been home to Tajik herders for generations, and you can still see traditional pastoral communities across the high plateaus. Their way of living in harmony with the mountains shapes the entire landscape and daily rhythm of the place.
A visit requires permits and ideally a local guide, as the area is remote and the trails challenging. Summer offers the best conditions for traveling through the reserve when weather is more stable and temperatures are milder.
The reserve protects a population of Marco Polo sheep that was nearly extinct and has since recovered and grown significantly. These wild mountain sheep have become a symbol of successful wildlife recovery in this remote landscape.
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