The Karakoram Highway (KKH) is a major road that connects Pakistan with China, stretching over 1,300 kilometers from Hasan Abdal in Pakistan to Kashgar in China. It is one of the highest paved international roads in the world, passing through the Karakoram mountain range at an elevation of up to 4,700 meters.
The construction of the Karakoram Highway began in 1959 and took nearly 20 years to complete, with the collaboration of both Pakistani and Chinese engineers and workers. The road is considered an engineering marvel due to its challenging terrain, including steep mountains, glaciers, and landslides.
The Karakoram Highway is an important trade route, facilitating trade between Pakistan and China, and serving as a gateway to Central Asia. It is also a popular tourist destination, with breathtaking views of the mountains and the opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of the local communities.
However, the Karakoram Highway is also known for its treacherous conditions, with landslides, rockfall, and floods causing disruptions to the road and posing risks to travelers. Despite these challenges, the Karakoram Highway remains a vital link between Pakistan and China, connecting people and communities across the region.
The Karakoram Highway (KKH) starts from the city of Hasan Abdal in Punjab province of Pakistan and ends in the city of Kashgar in Xinjiang province of China. The highway spans over 1,300 kilometers and passes through some of the highest mountains in the world, including the Karakoram Range, the Himalayas, and the Pamir Mountains.
The route of the Karakoram Highway includes several notable landmarks, such as the Attabad Lake, which was formed in 2010 due to a landslide, and the Khunjerab Pass, which is the highest paved international border crossing in the world, located at an altitude of 4,693 meters above sea level.
The highway passes through several major towns and cities in Pakistan, including Abbottabad, Mansehra, Gilgit, and Skardu. It also passes through several important landmarks such as the Nanga Parbat, the second-highest peak in Pakistan, and the Baltoro Glacier, which is one of the largest glaciers outside the polar regions.
In China, the Karakoram Highway passes through the cities of Tashkurgan and Kashgar, and offers stunning views of the Karakoram Mountains and the Taklamakan Desert.