Shipton's Arch

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Shipton's Arch

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Shipton's Arch, Natural stone arch in Kizilsu Kirghiz Prefecture, China

The arch rises 457 meters high and stretches 366 meters wide, making it one of the largest natural stone formations in the world.

English mountaineer Eric Shipton documented the arch in 1947 while serving as British consul in Kashgar, leading to its international recognition.

Local inhabitants refer to the formation as Toshuk Tagh in the Uyghur language, which translates to hole in the mountain.

Visitors need to complete an hour-long drive to Irkeshtam pass, followed by a 20-kilometer journey and a 45-minute hike through mountain terrain.

The National Geographic team's expedition in 2000 led to the arch's reinstatement in the Guinness World Records after years of uncertainty about its existence.

Location: Xinjiang

GPS coordinates: 39.66050,75.52356

Latest update: April 19, 2025 12:57

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