Yamchun Fortress Also known as Zamr-i-Atash-Parast or Kafir-Qala is located on the hills of the Vakhan Range ( Republic of Tajikistan , in Ishkashim District (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, central Asia ) and was built in the 3rd century. BC.
Near The village of Yamchun on a hill, protected from 3 sides by natural deep canyons, is the most powerful fortress of the Vakhan Valley. The fortress had three rings of double walls up to 950 m long and 400 m wide with 40 towers, with a citadel on the elevated part and makes an indelible impression with its grandeur.
The ruins of the fortress, the remains of walls and towers today give an idea of ??its former greatness. Scientists believe that the Yamchun fortress was built more than 2000 years ago. Other names for the Yamchun fortress are Kafir-Kala (fortress of the infidels) or Zamor-i-Otash-parast (castle of fire-worshipers). On the territory of the fortress was a Zoroastrian temple. This confirms the pre-Islamic age of the fortress. The fortress offers magnificent views of almost half of the Vakhan valley and the Hindu Kush mountain.
The construction of the Yamchun fortress dates back to the 3rd century BC, and it is slightly older than another well-known fortress in the Vakhan Valley – Kakh-Kakh fortress. It is also known that the Yamchun fortress was previously known under the names Zamr-i-atash-Parast and Kafir-kala.
today, this is one of the most striking historical sights of the Pamirs, which is certainly worth a visit, going on a tour of the Pamir Highway.
Access : Coordinates: Ishkoshim , Tajikistan , 36.970041, 72.261059 / Yamchun Fortress, Pamir Highway / From Dushanbe, catch a shared-taxi (approximately 20-24 hours, several departing daily) from the avtovokzal to the town of Khorog in the Pamirs ,From here, one more ride (~4 hours, departing regularly) to Ishkashim will land you in the Wakhan itself.Once you get to Ishkashim, occasional public busses continue down the valley to Langar or across the Afghan border you can arrange private transit further into the Afghan Wakhan.
Highlights :
- One of the main attractions of Tajikistan located in Ishkashim District (Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region). Yamchun Fortress is located on the hills of the Vakhan Range and was built in the 3rd century. BC. Yamchun is fortified with 36 towers with loopholes, so, at one time, people could hide from the attack. This is the most powerful surviving fortress of the Vakhan Valley and is located 6 km. from the main road and at an altitude of 500 meters above the valley.
- On the territory of the fortress was a Zoroastrian temple. This confirms the pre-Islamic age of the fortress. The fortress offers magnificent views of almost half of the Vakhan valley and the Hindu Kush mountain.
Activities : Spend the night at the small turbaza , Soviet spa-type place / Climbing the Yamchun Fortress / sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking
Go next : The village of Yamchun is one of the most interesting tourist sites of the Vakhan Valley / Ishkashim Border and Bazaar / Another attraction of Yamchun is the famous The hot spring of Bibi Fotimai Zahro.
