Tajik people 塔吉克族
Tajik people 塔吉克族, numbered about 45,000, are one of the official recognized ethnic group in China. They are located in China's western Xinjiang region with 60% living in Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County 塔什库尔干 in Kasgar 喀什地區 near the border of Tajikistan. The history of the Tajik people in this area dated back before the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century where they bartered their slave trades. During the Ili Rebellion many Tajiks were slaughtered by the Uyghur forces, backed by the Soviet, advancing southward,
Despite the name "Tajik" that is used to refer to them, the Tajiks of China do not speak the Tajik language. Majority of them speak Sarikoli language, which has been heavily influenced by Uyghur, Chinese and Wakhi speakers. They have no written language. The Tajiks in China are adherents of the Nizari Ismaili sect of Shia Islam.
Official portrait of a Tajik family
Distribution of the Tajik people in Xinjiang, western China
A map of Tashkurgan 塔什库尔干 (Tashgergan), where 60% of the Tajik people live in China, in the center. It's located right in the border area of 4 countries: China Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Karakorum highway runs through this county
Tashkurgan, the city below the 'white mountain' .....
......home of the Chinese Tajik
The ruin of the "Stone Fort" is located in the county
Herders yurts line the periphery of the old fort
The only road to Afghanistan, through the Wakhan Corridor Valley
