Muztagh Ata Travel Guide (Kashgar)｜Glacier Access & Complete Pitfall Guide

This Is Not Iceland — This Is Xinjiang’s Muztagh Ata Glacier

The first time most people see Muztagh Ata, they freeze—not because of the cold, but because it feels unreal.

Pure white peaks, massive ice tongues dropping straight from the summit, and deep-blue glacial ice glowing under intense sunlight. If you didn’t check your location, you might think you were standing in Iceland, Alaska, or somewhere near the Arctic Circle.

But this is Xinjiang.
This is Kashgar.
This is the Pamir Plateau.

For travelers with limited time who still want to see a real glacier—without exhausting hikes—Muztagh Ata is surprisingly accessible, as long as you choose the right approach.

This guide exists for one reason:
to help you avoid detours, skip the traps, and spend your energy where it truly matters.

Muztagh Ata

1. Before You Go｜Permits & Non-Negotiable Rules

📍 Border Permit (Mandatory)

Where to get it:
👉 Entrance of Xiangfei Garden Scenic Area, Kashgar

✔ Free of charge
✔ ID card / Taiwan Compatriot Permit accepted
✔ Takes about 10 minutes

⚠️ Pitfall Alert

Ignore anyone offering “paid processing”
The permit is always free
Get it before departure day

🚗 Plateau Travel Notes

Fuel stations require real-name registration — carry ID
Some stations accept cash only
Glacier park seasonal access:
- Closed: December – April
- Open in summer: 12:00–18:30
  👉 Arrive too early or too late = wasted trip

2. Must-See Stops Along the Way (Not Glaciers, Still Unmissable)

✅ Karakul Lake (Ticket: 45 RMB)

One of the best places to photograph Muztagh Ata’s reflection.

Calm days = mirror-like surface
Snow peaks + blue sky + lake = unreal clarity
Best time: after 4:00 PM (softest light)

📸 Tips

Horse riding available (~30 RMB per loop)
Pair with ethnic shawls for instant atmosphere

✅ Subashi Service Area (Free)

If you can only pick one spot to photograph “three sacred peaks in one frame,” choose here.

📍 You can capture:

Muztagh Ata
Kongur Peak
Kongur Jiubie Peak

🌄 Golden Mountain Moment

About 20 minutes after sunset
Peaks shift from white → gold → crimson
Even wider views than the glacier park

Muztagh Ata

3. Which Muztagh Glacier Should You Choose? Straight Answer.

👉 Limited time? Choose Glacier No. 2.

Muztagh Ata officially opens Glacier No. 2 and No. 4 to visitors.

Glacier No. 4

Ticket: 93 RMB (includes shuttle + walking)
Hike: ~1.5 km
Summer: glacier lake
Autumn/Winter: mostly exposed ice

👉 Best for travelers who want zero hassle

Glacier No. 2 (Highly Recommended)

Strongest visual impact
Cleaner blue ice
More complete ice tongue
Often ranked as Southern Xinjiang’s most impressive glacier

👉 In autumn and winter, No hesitation — choose No. 2

4. Muztagh Glacier No. 2｜How It Actually Works

❗ Important Rule

You cannot enter independently.

You must hire a local Kyrgyz guide, and only their vehicles are allowed into the hiking base area.

👉 Don’t gamble. Don’t try to save this money.

Route Breakdown (204 Camp Example)

1️⃣ Drive to 204 Camp
⚠️ Use Gaode Maps — Baidu has no accurate pin

2️⃣ Off-road transfer with guide

~15 minutes
Extremely rough terrain
Brutal bumps, but thrilling

3️⃣ Winter options

Walk: ~40 minutes
Motorcycle: ~5 minutes, ~200 RMB
(Cliffside riding = full adrenaline)

4️⃣ Glacier hike

~40 minutes round trip
Hands and feet required
Guides provide crampons, trekking poles, ropes

📌 Critical Note
The most photogenic glacier sections require fixed anchors and rope setup.
Some guides avoid climbing and only want to run shuttle trips—confirm in advance that they’ll accompany you onto the ice.

Muztagh Ata

5. Hard-Learned Pitfall Guide (Read Carefully)

🛑 Altitude Sickness Is Real

Elevation: 4300m+
Day 1: no shower, no hair washing
Move slowly
Carry portable oxygen if needed

🛑 Transportation Traps

Easy to get lost between Subashi Village and camp
Tire tracks everywhere ≠ correct route
Never enter the mountains without a guide

🛑 Accommodation Advice

Guesthouses exist in Subashi Village, but altitude is high
Many people can’t sleep at all
👉 Same-day return to Tashkurgan or Kashgar is recommended

6. Clothing & Gear｜Function Over Fashion

Tested Layering Formula

🧥 Upper Body (3 layers)

Outer: thick down jacket or insulated shell
Middle: close-fitting sweater
Inner: fleece-lined mock-neck base layer

👖 Lower Body (2 layers)

Outer: insulated pants
Inner: fleece thermal leggings with knee protection

👢 Footwear

Fleece-lined snow boots above the ankle

🧤🧢 Accessories

Thick ear-covering hat
Heavy gloves
Sunglasses (essential — snow blindness is no joke)

Muztagh Ata

7. Classic 1-Day Route (Lazy-Friendly Version)

Day 1

Kashgar → Border Permit →
Pamir Plateau →
Bai Sha Mountain & White Sand Lake (Buren Pass) →
Karakul Lake →
Subashi Viewpoint →
Muztagh Ata Glacier No. 2 →
Return to Kashgar