Panlong Ancient Road
A winding mountain road in Wacha Township, Tashkurgan. Its 36 km of mountain road has more than 600 bends, which from above look like a dragon coiled in the Pamir mountains.
Panlong Ancient Road is a village road in Wacha Township, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang. It connects valley settlements and became an internet hit after it was paved in 2019 because of its dense hairpin bends. The mountain section is about 36 km long, with more than 600 bends. It climbs from about 3,100 m to over 4,100 m, a height gain of more than 1,000 m. Seen from the top, the asphalt folds back and forth down the bare mountainside.
Despite its name, the “ancient road” is not an old post road. The name borrows the image of a coiled dragon, and the sign at the entrance is a popular photo spot. A common route starts in Tashkurgan town and heads south on G314, then turns off to pass Blue Lake (a reservoir) in Bandier Township, crosses the mountain pass and descends to Wacha Township, and returns to the county town along township roads. This makes a half-day loop. It can also be combined with the Khunjerab Port of Entry and the Wakhan Corridor.
The road is narrow, the bends are sharp, and there is almost no guardrail. Some sections are difficult for vehicles to pass each other, so drive slowly, keep to the right and use a low gear on descents. The altitude is high, so watch for altitude sickness if you are new to the Pamirs. In winter and after rain or snow, the surface can freeze, so check conditions locally before setting out.