Shipton's Arch (Tushuk Tash)
阿图什天门（希普顿拱门）
One of the highest natural stone arches in the world, a huge rock arch towering above a canyon. Reaching it requires winding through a narrow gorge and climbing a staircase.
Shipton's Arch lies in the Kalatieke Mountains northwest of Artux City. Its Uyghur name is 'Tutuk Tash' (or Tushuk Tash), meaning 'mountain with a hole'. In the West it is known as Shipton's Arch after the British mountaineer Eric Shipton, who recorded it in 1947. The arch stands about 460 meters high from the valley floor to the top of the vault, and the opening itself is about 120 meters tall, making it one of the highest natural stone arches in the world. Getting there takes about 2 hours by car from Kashgar (roughly 80 kilometers), the last section on gravel road. From there you hike through a narrow canyon and climb a built steel staircase to a viewing platform below the arch. The round trip takes about 3 to 4 hours. The site is now under scenic area management, and admission, shuttle buses and opening arrangements follow local announcements. After summer rain, the canyon carries a risk of flash floods, so keep an eye on the weather. Wear non-slip shoes and bring plenty of water.
Opening hours
Daytime (check scenic area notices)
Nearby sights
- Mausoleum of Mahmud al-Kashgari
- Kashgar Sunday Livestock Market
- Ukusak Musical Instrument Village
- Former British Consulate-General (Chini Bagh)
- Ostangboyi Handicraft Street
- Century-old Teahouse
- Id Kah Mosque
- Kashgar Prefecture Museum