Hotan, XinjiangHigh Altitude

The Soul of Karakoram: Paying Homage at Kangxiwa Martyrs' Cemetery

🚙Road Trip 📸Photography 🛤️Highland Aesthetics(高原美学)

Altitude

4,076m

Best Time

☀️ 🍂

Ticket

Free

⚠️ Extreme High Altitude

This location is at 4,076m elevation. Severe altitude sickness risk. Proper acclimatization is essential. Consider consulting a doctor before visiting.

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About This Attraction

Kangxiwa Martyrs' Cemetery is a solemn and spiritually significant landmark located on the G219 Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. Situated at an altitude of 4,280 meters in the Karakoram Mountains, it is recognized as the highest-altitude martyrs' cemetery in China. The name "Kangxiwa" translates to "Place of Ore" in Uyghur, but today it is synonymous with the undying spirit of the soldiers who guard the western frontier.

The cemetery was established to honor the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Sino-Indian Self-Defense Counterattack in 1962. It serves as the final resting place for over a hundred martyrs who died in that conflict, as well as soldiers who have since sacrificed their lives while on duty defending the border in this harsh, high-altitude region. The cemetery faces the snowy peaks of the Karakoram range, standing as a silent guardian over the territory they protected.

The layout of the cemetery is simple yet imposing. A monument stands tall with the inscription "Loyal Souls of the Karakoram" (or similar tributes to border defense), and rows of gravestones are arranged neatly on the barren, gravelly slope. Due to the extreme altitude and harsh climate—where oxygen levels are less than half of those at sea level and vegetation is scarce—the environment is stark and desolate. However, this desolation amplifies the gravity and heroism of the site. Travelers passing by on the G219 often stop to offer cigarettes, water, or liquor as a tribute to these young souls, creating a unique and moving cultural tradition on this lonely highway.

Visually, the cemetery contrasts the grey-brown gravel of the high plateau with the eternal white of the distant snow-capped mountains. It is not a scenic spot in the traditional sense of leisure, but a place of pilgrimage and history. It represents the iron will of the "Karakoram Spirit"—the resilience to survive and fight in a "forbidden zone of life." For anyone driving the Xinjiang-Tibet line, a stop here is a profound lesson in history, patriotism, and the sheer scale of the sacrifices made to maintain peace on the "Roof of the World."

✨ Why Visit Kangxiwa Martyrs' Cemetery

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Highest Altitude Cemetery: At 4,280 meters, it is the highest resting place for soldiers in China, symbolizing the extreme conditions under which they served.

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A crucial stop on the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway where travelers pay tribute, linking the physical journey with a spiritual connection to history. 1962 War Memorial: The main burial site for martyrs of the Sino-Indian Self-Defense Counterattack, holding deep historical and military significance.

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Karakoram Landscape: Set against the backdrop of the majestic and rugged Karakoram Mountains, offering a stark, "Highland Aesthetic" of desolation and grandeur.

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Tribute Tradition: Witness or participate in the touching tradition of passing drivers leaving cigarettes and spirits at the graves, a silent language of respect between the living and the dead.

Location & Nearby

📍 Hotan, Xinjiang • 🏔️ 4076m elevation

Frequently Asked Questions - Kangxiwa Martyrs' Cemetery Travel Guide

is located on the G219 National Highway (Xinjiang-Tibet Highway), southeast of Pishan County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, but is most often accessed via Yecheng (Kargilik). What is the altitude?

The cemetery sits at approximately 4,280 meters above sea level.

Is there an entrance fee?

No, it.

is a memorial site open to the public for paying respects. Can I take photos?

Yes, but please maintain a respectful and solemn demeanor suitable for a cemetery.

What should I bring?

Due to the high altitude and wind, bring warm clothing. Many visitors also bring cigarettes or baijiu (liquor) as offerings.

✨ Why Visit Kangxiwa Martyrs' Cemetery

✦Highest Altitude Cemetery: At 4,280 meters, it is the highest resting place for soldiers in China, symbolizing the extreme conditions under which they served.

✦A crucial stop on the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway where travelers pay tribute, linking the physical journey with a spiritual connection to history. 1962 War Memorial: The main burial site for martyrs of the Sino-Indian Self-Defense Counterattack, holding deep historical and military significance.

✦Karakoram Landscape: Set against the backdrop of the majestic and rugged Karakoram Mountains, offering a stark, "Highland Aesthetic" of desolation and grandeur.

✦Tribute Tradition: Witness or participate in the touching tradition of passing drivers leaving cigarettes and spirits at the graves, a silent language of respect between the living and the dead.