Yamchun Fort

About this place

Yamchun Fort is the remains of a stone fortress on a high slope above the Panj river valley, in southern Gorno-Badakhshan. It is also called the Fortress of the Fire Worshippers, a local name more than a proven history. Its walls run along the edge with worn round towers, facing the Hindu Kush. It is the main historic landmark of the Wakhan Valley. Estimates of its age differ, and guides place it around the 3rd century BC without certainty. Its position shows its purpose, as it overlooks the valley route between Kabul and Kashgar, long used for trade. Powerful Islamic states passed through this land, but little is known about who lived in the fort or when it was abandoned. You climb a dirt road and then walk a narrow path between heaps of stone. The towers are built of flat stones with no visible mortar, and some lean sharply. Inside are roofless rooms, with a deep drop on one side. From the top you see the river splitting across the green plain with white peaks beyond, the finest view in the valley. Bibi Fatima hot springs are about 1.5 km away in a straight line, Khorog about 83 km and Ishkashim about 64 km. The road is very steep, so take a suitable vehicle. Walk with care, as the stones are loose, and do not climb on the towers. A separate travel permit is required for the Gorno-Badakhshan region on top of a visa. The UK Foreign Office warns of security risks in the region and along the Afghan border, so read the current advice before you plan.