Karachukar Valley
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Karachukar Valley[1][lower-alpha 1] or Chalachigu Valley (Chinese: 卡拉其古河谷) is a valley in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Xinjiang, China. It contains the basin of the Karachukar River, a tributary of the Tashkurgan River,[4] and is regarded as part of Taghdumbash Pamir.[5] The valley borders Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor or Little Pamir) to the west and northwest, Tajikistan to the north, and Pakistan (Gojal or upper Hunza) to the south.[6] The name of the valley is from Kyrgyz, meaning "black cave".[7]
Karachukar Valley | |
---|---|
Chalachigu Valley | |
Floor elevation | 4,100 m (13,500 ft) |
Geography | |
Location | Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang, China |
Coordinates | 37°9′N 74°42′E |
Rivers | Karachukar River |
The valley is part of the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve.[8] The protected Marco Polo sheep is only found in the wild around this area.[6] The region is often referred to by the Chinese as the Chinese portion of the Wakhan Corridor.[9] There is an ethnic Kyrgyz village called Bayik (Chinese: 排依克村 or Chinese: 阿特加依里村).[10][11]
The entire Chalachigu Valley is closed to visitors. However, local residents and herders from the area are permitted access.[citation needed]
In March 2017, CCTV-7's Documentary for Military program[12] produced a mini-series covering the numerous border outposts in Chalachigu Valley.[13]