Tashkurgan — Stone City Campground and Guesthouse Pitches

Tashkurgan is the last Chinese town of consequence before Khunjerab Pass and the Pakistan border crossing. Several guesthouses around the town centre allow vehicle camping in their compounds or adjacent lots — the Pamir Guesthouse and a handful of others have served overlanders for years. It’s a functional, utilitarian stop: get your documents stamped at the Tashkurgan checkpoint, fuel up, and sleep before the high-altitude border crossing. Facilities are basic but it’s a real town — toilets, some running water, and occasional mobile signal on China Unicom.

The Stone City Ruins — a 2,000-year-old Silk Road fortification — are a short walk from the guesthouse strip and worth an hour on foot before you push on. Tashkurgan sits at around 3,100 metres, so acclimatisation here before the 4,700-metre pass is sensible. The border post operates on restricted hours and is closed during Chinese national holidays — verify current hours well before arrival. Permits and vehicle documentation checks happen here.

Last town before Khunjerab — sort it here.