[2025 Akto Attraction] Travel Guide for Muji Volcanic Vent (Updated Jan)

Muztagh Volcano Located in Akto County, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Pamir Plateau, western Xinjiang, there is a volcano mouth Known as the 'Eye of Pamir' A thousand and five hundred years ago, the volcano erupted here The erupted magma changed the color of this land to be colorful After thousands of years of time and frost The natural landscape is particularly magnificent . Unlike the usual towering mountain-like volcano mouth The terrain here is as magical as a plain The winding river flows through the volcano mouth Flocks of cattle and sheep wander around Overlooking from the sky, you can see the different colors of water in the volcano mouth And we didn't do any strategy for this trip I didn't expect the volcano mouth to freeze in winter at all . What replaces it Is the steaming fog of the volcano mouth Is the frost flowers formed on the grass beach Is the wild rabbit suddenly popping out of the snow Is the loss of different seasonal scenery It's also an unexpected gain . ⚠️Almost all the venues are chartered in the off-season, and the temperature is surprisingly cold. The toilets at the entrance are temporarily closed, and the shops in the scenic area are also closed; ⚠️From the entrance of the scenic area to the volcano mouth, you need to walk a few hundred meters of cement road (you can choose to ride a horse in the peak season), and you need to walk a long trestle road to the scenic spot sign (Eye of Pamir); ⚠️The weather was very good that day, the sun was slightly warmer, it is recommended to take pictures after 11 o'clock (very cold)

On the Pamir Plateau in Muji Township, Akto County, in the westernmost part of Xinjiang, next to the Karakoram Mountains, there is a dreamlike valley. It is the Muji Volcano, also known as the Eye of Pamir, and its full name is the Karitimir Volcano Group. In Kyrgyz, it means "eruption"... Muji Crater is located deep in the Pamir Plateau, in the northwest of Akto County, at the westernmost end of China, at an altitude of about 3,800 meters, and is one of the highest craters in Xinjiang and even the world. The volcanic eruption 1,500 years ago created a unique "illusion of ice and fire" here. It is surrounded by natural landscapes such as plateau wetlands, glaciers, and glacial lakes, and is far away from the Eighteen Arhats Snow Peak. Although it erupted a long time ago, it still retains transparent glaciers, clear glacial lakes, bottomless ice caves, and sweet glacial snow water... Unlike traditional hot volcanoes, Muji Crater is called a "cold volcano" and is also a mud volcano. When a hot volcano erupts, the temperature of the magma is generally above 1,000°C after it is ejected to the surface, and the lowest is 800°C. Mud volcanoes can erupt mud and gas, which still looks spectacular. Mud volcanoes usually erupt at room temperature, and the actual temperature is only six or seven degrees Celsius. When you see the gas, you will find it is cold when you put your hand in it. The gas erupted by mud volcanoes is mainly methane and acetylene, which can be ignited with a lighter. The main component of the rock formed after the mud volcano cools is calcium carbonate. There are many craters with different depths of water, forming rich color changes... For the local Kyrgyz people, Muji Crater is not only a natural landscape but also a home for generations. Muji Crater

It's not just the craters that are breathtaking 🌋 It's the 18 Arhat Peaks 🏔️ And the Eye of the Pamirs from a bird's-eye view 👁️ 💴 [Ticket Price]: 20/person ⛺ [Things to Do]: 🟠 Enjoy the view of the crater and the magnificent 18 Arhat Snow Peaks 🟠 Bring a drone to Muji Volcano, the Eye of the Devil from above is breathtaking 🚌 [Transportation Guide]: There is no public transportation from Kashgar to Muji Crater 🚙 There are some icy roads, so it's recommended to rent a car 🚐 Walk along the boardwalk in the scenic area to see two craters, and then walk further to see the Eye of the Pamirs 👉 [Itinerary]: There are homestays in the scenic area, about 100 per person, if you have time, it's recommended to stay in Tashkurgan 🧡 [Preparation]: ✅ You need a border pass to go to Tashkurgan, so get it in advance in Kashgar ✅ Altitude is 3,580 meters, so do what you can according to your own condition

Are you looking for a unique trip🧳? The Muztagh Volcano on the Pamir Plateau is a hidden gem you can't miss😎! 🚗Travel Tips It takes 4 hours to get here and back, and you need to walk a bit to get inside. So when planning your trip, make sure to leave enough time🕙 and prepare suitable hiking gear👟. 🏠Accommodation Guide There aren't many good accommodations nearby, but there are some options. You can choose to stay in a local villager's house and experience the local customs🏡. If you want better accommodations, there's a 2-star hotel in Muztagh, which is a few kilometers away🛏. It's recommended to stay overnight so you don't have to rush back and forth and can enjoy your trip more😴. 🌄Beautiful Scenery Despite some inconveniences, the scenery here will definitely make you feel it's all worth it😍! There's the magnificent Eighteen Arhats Snow Mountain🏔️. At sunrise and sunset, the golden sunlight shines on the snow mountain, which is breathtakingly beautiful🤩. Plus, the scenery along the way to Muztagh Volcano is also great, like a moving painting🖼. Muztagh Volcano is such a charming and challenging place. Its uniqueness is waiting for you to explore and discover🎈. Come to the Pamir Plateau and start this magical journey of ice and fire🚀!

Hidden on the Pamir Plateau is a breathtaking wonder, the volcanic group. This magical and unique place seems like a mysterious ceremony bestowed upon the world by nature. The witnesses to this ceremony are the various-sized volcanic craters, which resemble clear eyes gazing at the sky, revealing the vicissitudes and wisdom of thousands of years. Muztagh is located at the intersection of the Kunlun and Tianshan mountain ranges, the westernmost point of China, the last place where the sun lingers on the Chinese mainland, and also a village of the Kyrgyz people. A local proverb goes: 'Seven big river beaches, ninety-nine bends, you can't wear out your butt, you can't reach Muztagh Beach.' Reaching Muztagh requires great effort, but the harder a place is to reach, the more beautiful the scenery. The Muztagh volcanic crater, officially named the 'Karatyurek Volcanic Group,' is known as the 'Eye of the Pamir,' consisting of several dozen scattered dormant volcanic craters, very spectacular. It formed 1500 years ago, is the only highest altitude volcanic crater in Xinjiang, and is also one of the most typical volcanic craters in the world. Many people describe the Muztagh volcanic crater as a 'fantasy land of ice and fire' because it is surrounded by highland wetlands, forming glaciers, glacial lakes, ice caves, and many other ice-related landscapes, while the volcanic crater was constantly erupting fire thousands of years ago, the coexistence of volcanoes and glaciers in one place is truly breathtaking. The volcanic geological relics here are important evidence for studying the earth's evolutionary history and have significant research value for scientists. At the same time, the ecological environment here is also very unique, attracting numerous animals and plants to inhabit and thrive here. Muztagh Volcanic Crater

In the Muztagh Township of Akto County in the western part of Xinjiang, on the Pamir Plateau, there are many volcanoes known as 'the Eyes of the Pamir' - the Muztagh Ata Volcanic Craters. Research indicates that the volcanic crater in Muztagh Township formed about 1500 years ago. There are more than a dozen large and small craters, many of which are well-preserved with varying heights and shapes. Some craters contain clear, blue waters, while outside the craters, a colorful expanse of land connects to them, presenting a majestic and beautiful scenery that feels mysterious and desirable. Travel Mini Guide: 📍Detailed Address: Volcano in Muztagh Township, Akto County, Muztagh Ata Volcanic Crater Photography: Be sure to bring a drone, as only from a bird's-eye view can you see the Eyes of the Pamir. It's best to register your drone in advance. Border Pass: Can be processed at the airport after landing in Kashgar, or at the border pass processing point in the old city. The process is quite fast, taking only a few minutes. Admission: Currently free, vehicles can park next to the plank road, then walk to the volcanic crater, about 600 meters away. Transportation: Self-driving is recommended, as the border highway in Muztagh Township is rarely traveled, with gas stations, toilets, etc., almost non-existent, and some sections of the road have a speed limit of 40 mph. Checkpoint: Turning into from the Baisihan Lake entrance, there will be a checkpoint where your border pass and ID will be checked. Then there is a barrier in the middle section, where they will register your license plate and check your ID before you can enter.

The Muztagh Ata Crater is located in Muztagh Township, Akto County, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is known as 'The Eye of Pamir', consisting of more than a dozen scattered dormant volcanic craters. The surrounding area features the continuous snow peaks of the Kunlun Mountains, offering a spectacular view! Transportation: Self-driving is the way to go.

In October, we went to Tashkurgan. Under the tall and majestic Sarikol Range, on the golden meadow, flocks of sheep are leisurely enjoying the gifts of nature in the autumn sun. The vast meadow and the colorful plateau willows are dressed up in their mature and full colors, making the plateau charming and colorful. The volcano mouth of Mujin Township is amazing, the eighteen Arhats snow mountain lined up, the river winding around the fragrant fields, the moon shines on the forest like sleet. Bai Sha Lake is the best time of the day, whether it is the north shore or the south shore, the wind is so strong that it blows away the gathered clouds, and you can see a little sunshine, the lake water is clear. On a cloudy day, we stayed in a homestay and met Mustagh, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can see Gongger Peak and Karakul Lake, and the godfather of glaciers, Mustagh Mountain. Due to the weather, the Mustagh Glacier Park was closed, so we went to the Taman Wetland, the Taman Tree Hole, and the autumn Toghran Village, watching the little sheep shaking their little butts on the golden beach to eat grass. Although the weather is not beautiful, the golden willow trees are still brilliant.

🌋Have you seen the 'Eye of Pamir' on the Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang? 🌋The Muztagh volcano mouth, located in Akto County, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, is known as the 'Eye of Pamir'. 🌋A thousand and five hundred years ago, the volcano erupted here, and the lava that gushed out changed the color of this land to be colorful. After thousands of years of time and wind and frost, the natural landscape here is particularly magnificent. ✨Unlike the usual towering mountain-like volcano mouths, the terrain here is as magical as a plain. ✨The winding river flows through the volcano mouth, and herds of cattle and sheep wander around. ✨From a high altitude, you can see the different colors of water in the volcano mouth. ❄️We didn't do any strategy for this trip, and we didn't expect that the volcano mouth in winter would freeze. ❄️So, what we saw was no longer the colorful earth, but the steaming fog in the volcano mouth, the frost flowers formed on the grass beach, the wild rabbits suddenly appearing in the snow, and the loss and unexpected gains of different seasonal scenery. ⚠️The off-season is almost all-inclusive, and the temperature is surprisingly cold. The toilets at the entrance are temporarily closed, and the shops in the scenic area are also closed. ⚠️It takes a few hundred meters of cement road from the entrance of the scenic area to the volcano mouth (you can choose to ride a horse in the peak season), and you need to walk a long trestle road to the scenic spot sign (Eye of Pamir). ⚠️The weather was very good that day, the sun was slightly warmer, and it is recommended to take pictures after 11 o'clock (it's cold).

Last year, I finally embarked on the long-awaited trip to southern Xinjiang and visited the mysterious Muztagh volcano. This place, known as the "Eye of Pamir", is said to be the highest volcano in China, but it has not yet been opened to the public, which makes people curious👀🌋. Now, I want to share with you my adventure experience, as well as some practical strategies and precautions🗺️🧭. ⛰️【Mystery Guide】📝 1️⃣ Self-driving round trip to Kashgar on the same day is the most convenient way. Although the travel agency has not yet included it in the regular route, driving by yourself can experience the purest adventure🚗💨. 2️⃣ Navigate directly to the Muztagh volcano. After a four-hour drive, the road condition from Kashgar to the scenic area is satisfactory. The parking lot is only a 20-minute walk from the popular water volcano, and you can easily reach it along the obvious road and plank road🚶‍♂️🌄. 3️⃣ Border defense certificate must be carried, and make sure the destination includes Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture. In fact, only one checkpoint was encountered, and the staff let go after a simple check👮‍♂️📃. 4️⃣ If you have a drone, don't forget to bring it! When the battery is low, you can charge it in the bathroom of the parking lot. There are fewer people at noon, which is the best time to shoot. Now you can still go to the volcano, but maybe you can't after it officially opens next year, so seize the opportunity🚁🔋! 🚗【Minefield Reminder】⚠️ 1️⃣ Pay attention to the Muztagh border road after National Highway 314, which has speed measurement throughout, with a speed limit of 40 kilometers/hour. Because the road is unblocked, it is easy to speed, and the car navigation may not have a section speed measurement prompt, it is recommended to use mobile phone navigation📱🚦. 2️⃣ It is not allowed to drive into the vicinity of the volcano in the scenic area, and there are always staff patrolling. Although some people try to sneak around, they will be found and stopped immediately🚫🚗. The mystery and magnificence of the Muztagh volcano is an unforgettable memory in my trip🤩📸. If you also plan to go, remember to follow the rules and explore safely. Looking forward to the official opening in 2024, I believe it will bring a more perfect tourist experience👍🎒.

🗻 Often doubt whether I am still on Earth～ - A volcano that erupted 1500 years ago Sleeps on the Pamir Plateau The magma erupted many years ago dyed this land colorful The eighteen Arhat snow peaks that never melt all year round are lined up Forming a fantasy of ice and fire As if I have entered an alien planet - 📍「Muzi Volcano Mouth」 🌋【Full Name】Karite Mir Volcano Group 🗻【Altitude】3860m 🎫【Ticket】🆓 - 📸【Photo Check-in】 ☑️① Volcano Mouth: Although aerial photography is more out of the picture, you don't have to worry about whether there is a drone or not. Sitting opposite the volcano mouth with the continuous eighteen Arhat peaks as the background, taking cliff shots is also a scene; ☑️③ Volcano Mouth: Lower the camera position to take a picture of the snow mountain reflection! ☑️The sunrise of the eighteen Arhat peaks can divide n golden mountains; ☑️If time and body allow, you can walk around, walk into the oil painting where the plateau wetland and river lakes converge; ☑️If you stay in Muzi Village, remember to watch a starry sky without light pollution; - 🗻【About Plateau Reaction】 ☑️The parking lot is about 2km away from the volcano mouth, and the whole wooden plank road is flat without slope; ☑️Walking back and forth with parents over 65 without rushing, except for the feeling of heart pounding, there is no discomfort; ☑️You can choose to ride a horse, one way 50 round trip 100; - 🏘️【About Food and Accommodation】 ☑️There are barbecue and bucket noodles for sale next to the parking lot, barbecue/corn: 7r/skewer; ☑️Muzi Village accommodation double room/three-person room, per capita 100r; (The accommodation conditions are slightly simple, the heating is not enough in winter, basically rely on shaking, if you need the itinerary, you can s me to send the villagers' 💬) - 🏷️