Relying on its unique natural scenery of the Pamir Plateau and ethnic culture, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has vigorously developed its tourism industry, ushering in a new chapter of rural revitalization and the integrated development of culture and tourism.
Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, as a hot destination in Xinjiang, fascinates the visitors with famous scenic spots such as the Pamir Plateau and the winding highway, along with more than 10 intangible cultural heritages such as the Tajik Eagle Dance.
The Stone City ruins in Taxkorgan are in a unique position surrounded by mountains, where tourists can immerse themselves in the unique architectural landscape and natural scenery.
The Stone City was a pivotal point where the middle and southern routes of the ancient Silk Road converged, serving as a crucial thoroughfare for communication between the various dynasties of the Central Plains and countries in Central Asia, West Asia, and South Asia at that time.
Many Tajik dancers often perform the traditional Tajik Eagle Dance, vividly expressing the Tajik people's fervent yearning for freedom and their relentless pursuit of a better life.
"As we Tajik people live on the plateau like eagles, watching the eagles fly since childhood, we incorporate the movements into our own dances. Therefore, we Tajik people, like eagles, guard the borders of our motherland," said Baihetila Jumahan, a local dancer.
With a total length of 30 kilometers and more than 600 hairpin turns, the Panlong Ancient Road is famous for its dizzying turns and stunning scenery.
Located in the Kashgar region, the road looks like a huge dragon snaking across the Pamir Plateau. Also known as the Waqia Highway, this magical and heavenly road is a great choice for travelers from all over the world looking to take a self-driving tour.
Nowadays, relying on the road, the local area has vigorously developed the tourism industry, greatly increasing the income of local villagers.
"Many tourists come to the Panlong Ancient Road, to our Waqia Township. We take this opportunity to promote the development of cultural tourism industry through the culture of local minority ethnic group," said Duolaitiman Kaimike, a deputy to China's National People's Congress (NPC).
Tourists flock to Xinjiang's Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County for unique scenery, cultural heritage
The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran reached its 100-day mark on Sunday, with peace remaining elusive in the Middle East region.
On Feb 28, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran, hitting multiple locations including the capital Tehran, Isfahan, and Karaj. Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials were killed in the airstrikes.
In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles and drones attack at U.S. military bases in the Middle East and Israeli targets on the same day.
According to information released by various sources, over the ensuing weeks, the U.S. military struck over 10,000 Iranian military targets, while the Israeli military hit several thousand Iranian targets. Iran launched 100 waves of retaliatory "Operation True Promise-4" strikes. The conflict spread to more than 10 countries across the Middle East.
After over a month of intense fighting, the United States and Iran announced a temporary ceasefire on April 8. Both sides held their first round of talks in Pakistan on April 11 and 12, but no substantive breakthrough was achieved.
In subsequent negotiations, the two countries engaged in intense discussions over issues including Iran's nuclear program and highly enriched uranium, the lifting of sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. To date, no peace agreement has been reached.
On Feb 28, the IRGC announced a ban on any vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, bringing traffic to a halt on one of the world's most critical energy waterways. On May 30, Iran declared full operational and administrative management over shipping in the strait, requiring all commercial vessels, oil tankers, and other civilian ships to navigate designated routes and obtain prior permission from the IRGC Navy.
On the U.S. side, after the first round of U.S.-Iran talks ended without a breakthrough, the U.S. Central Command announced on April 13 that, effective that day, it would impose a blockade on all maritime traffic entering or leaving Iranian ports. The standoff between the United States and Iran over navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz continues to this day.
As negotiations continue to stall, sporadic military clashes have begun to occur between the United States and Iran since last month, with the frequency of clashes intensifying since late May.
Since May 30, the United States has launched multiple strikes against Iranian targets along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has retaliated by repeatedly hitting U.S. military bases across the Middle East.
Following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb 28, the Hezbollah group in Lebanon announced on March 2 that it had begun striking Israeli targets, reigniting the Lebanon-Israel conflict. The Israeli military launched airstrikes on multiple locations in Lebanon and carried out a ground invasion, taking control of large swaths of southern Lebanon.
On April 17, Lebanon and Israel, through U.S. mediation, announced a 10-day temporary ceasefire, which was subsequently extended several times. However, the Israeli military has continued operations in Lebanon.
Iran said the ceasefire agreement with the United States also covers Lebanon, and that the United States and Israel will be held accountable for any violations of the ceasefire.
US-Israeli war against Iran reaches 100-day mark
