Some Chinese historians argue that Xuanzang, the Chinese Buddhist whose pilgrimage to India inspired the novel Journey to the West, used this path on his way to India.[5]
That path is in the historic region of Badakhshan. In the 1890s, the Chinese, Russian, and Afghan governments signed a series of agreements that divided Badakhshan, but China contested the result of the division. The dispute was eventually settled in 2002 when Tajikistan and China signed a border agreement.[6][2]
The path is difficult to traverse all year round. It is snow covered during the winter months. The snow persists until May. During the summer months, the melting causes the streams to overflow.[7] The entire Chalachigu Valley on the Chinese side is closed to visitors; however, local residents and herders from the area are permitted to access.[citation needed]
↑杨雪梅 (2016-09-09). "穿越瓦罕走廊（且行且思）" [Through the Wakhan Corridor]. people.gov.cn (in 中文). People's Daily. Archived from the original on 2017-02-05. Retrieved 2017-02-05. 这里是瓦罕走廊第一村——排依克村
↑柯文浩 (June 2013). "穿越帕米尔：复原玄奘之路" [Crossing the Pamir: Recovering the Path of Xuanzang]. Fudan University School of Management Journal. Fudan University. p. 103. Retrieved 2017-02-04. 该山口海拔 4500米，时近 5月仍积雪覆盖，冰河封冻，且冰河穿过狭谷，夏季此处将被高涨的河水没过，不利行走。
