Pamir Plateau

　　　The Pamir is situated in the southwestern part of Xinjiang. In ancient times, it was called Congling and has been known as the "Roof of the World." According to its natural geography, it can be divided into eight parts, also referred to as the eight "Pars." During the Qing Dynasty, a victory stele was erected in the Alchu’er Pa; eight outposts (karan) were built across the various Pars. The Pamir has been the homeland and pastureland of China’s Tajik and Kirghiz ethnic groups, and it remained part of China until the 1870s. The Pamir is divided into eight "Pars," from north to south in the following order: the Taxkorgan (Heshikuqike) Pamir, the Sariz Pamir, the Langku Pamir, the Alchu’er Pamir, the Great Pamir, the Little Pamir, the Taghdumbash Pamir, and the Wakhan Pamir.