View source for Karakoram Highway

{{Short description|International highway running through Pakistan and China}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox road
|country = PAK
|type = N
|route = 35
|alternate_name = Karakoram Highway<br />{{Nastaliq|شاہراہ قراقرم}}
|map={{Maplink-road}}
|map_custom=yes
|photo=KKH.png
|ahn = {{Jct|country=ASIA|AH|4}} [[Asian Highway]]
|length_km= 1300
|length_notes = Pakistan: {{convert|887|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}<br />China: {{convert|413|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}
|direction_a = North
|terminus_a = {{Flagicon|PRC}} [[Kashgar]], Xinjiang, China<br />[[File:Kokudou 314(China).svg|30px]] [[China National Highway 314]] (Khunjerab Pass–Kashgar–[[Ürümqi]])<br />{{Flagicon|PRC}}{{Flagicon|PAK}} [[Khunjerab Pass]]
|cities = [[Haripur, Pakistan|Haripur]], [[Abbottabad]], [[Mansehra]], [[Battagram]], [[Besham]], [[Pattan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Pattan]], [[Dasu]], [[Chilas]], [[Gilgit]], [[Aliabad (Hunza)|Aliabad]], [[Gulmit]], [[Sust]], [[Tashkurgan Town|Tashkurgan]], [[Upal]], [[Kashgar]]
|direction_b = South
|terminus_b = {{Flagicon|PAK}} [[Hasan Abdal]], Punjab, Pakistan
|formed = 1966
|history = Completed in 1979, open to the public since 1986
|junction = [[File:Pakistan N-35.svg|30px|35]] N-35<br />[[File:Pakistan N-15.svg|30px|N-15|link=N15 National Highway]] [[N-15 National Highway|N-15]]
|maint = [[National Highway Authority]] (Pakistan) and Transport Department of [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]] (China)
| embedded      = 
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|s = 喀喇昆仑公路
|p = Kālākūnlún Gōnglù
|lang2 = ur
|lang2_content = شاہراہ قراقرم<br />Śāharāha qarāqaram
}}
[[File:KKH 240622 01.jpg|thumb|Karakoram Highway along [[Indus River]] near [[Raikot Bridge]], Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.]]
[[File:AerialViewofKarakoramHighway.jpg|thumb|alt=The Karakoram Highway|Aerial View of The Karakoram Highway]]

The '''Karakoram Highway''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|شاہراہ قراقرم}}}}, {{translit|ur|Śāhirāh-i Qarāquram}}), also known as the '''KKH''', '''National Highway 35''' ({{langx|ur|{{Nastaliq|قومی شاہراہ ۳۵}}}}), '''N-35''', and the '''China{{ndash}}Pakistan Friendship Highway''', is a {{convert|1300|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} [[National Highways of Pakistan|national highway]] which extends from [[Hasan Abdal]] in the [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] province of [[Pakistan]] to the [[Khunjerab Pass]] in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], where it crosses into [[China]] and becomes [[China National Highway 314]].

The highway connects the Pakistani provinces of Punjab and [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] plus [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] with China's [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region]]. The highway is a popular [[tourist attraction]] and is one of the highest paved roads in the world, passing through the [[Karakoram]] mountain range, at  at maximum elevation of {{convert|4714|m|ft|abbr=on}} near [[Khunjerab Pass]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com/pakistan-jeep_trip.htm |title=Karakoram Hindu Kush |access-date=2 October 2010 |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329222937/http://www.concordiaexpeditions.com/pakistan-jeep_trip.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/shop_pickandmix/previews/karakoram%20highway-preview.pdf Lonely Planet Karakoram] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011125340/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/shop_pickandmix/previews/karakoram%20highway-preview.pdf |date=11 October 2012 }}</ref>{{NoteTag|It can be argued that the [[Chile Route 27]] is international since it connects to Argentina and it is {{convert|4810|m|ft|abbr=on}}.}} Due to its high elevation and the difficult conditions under which it was constructed, it is often referred to as the [[Eighth Wonder of the World]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.inautonews.com/list-of-world-record-highways |title = World record highways – Karakoram |access-date = 2 October 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131111223514/http://www.inautonews.com/list-of-world-record-highways |archive-date = 11 November 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Mahnaz Z. Ispahani">{{cite book |title=Roads and Rivals: The Political Uses of Access in the Borderlands of Asia|url=https://archive.org/details/roadsrivalspolit00ispa|url-access=limited|date=June 1989|publisher=Cornell University Press|isbn=978-0801422201|page=[https://archive.org/details/roadsrivalspolit00ispa/page/191 191]|author=Mahnaz Z. Ispahani|edition=First}}</ref><ref name="UNESCO Sci report">{{Cite report|author=Tanveer Naim|year=2010|title=UNESCO Science Report|chapter=South Asia|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZTLCOe_fqwC&pg=PA342|publisher=[[UNESCO]]|page=342|isbn=978-9231041327|access-date=18 July 2013|archive-date=14 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214205233/https://books.google.com/books?id=2ZTLCOe_fqwC&pg=PA342|url-status=live}}</ref> The highway is also a part of the [[Asian Highway Network|Asian Highway]] [[AH4]].

== History ==
[[File:Rakaposhi as seen from the Karakoram Highway near Nagar, Gilgit.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Karakoram highway <small>(Credit: hunzographer)</small>]]

The Karakoram Highway (KKH), also known as the Friendship Highway in China, was jointly constructed by the governments of China and Pakistan. It was started in 1962, completed in 1979 and opened to the public in 1986. Pakistan initially favored routing through [[Mintaka Pass]]. In 1966, China, citing the fact that Mintaka would be more susceptible to air strikes, recommended the steeper Khunjerab Pass instead.<ref name="dfdaily">{{Cite web
| title = 重寻玄奘之路
| trans-title = Rediscover the path taken by Xuanzang
| author = 刘欣
| date = 2013-05-03
| publisher = 东方早报
| access-date = 2017-02-02
| url = https://site.douban.com/121981/widget/notes/4169991/note/274606907/
| language = zh
| quote = 1966年，时任新疆军区副司令员的张希钦在主持修筑中巴公路时，为避敌国空袭，放弃了巴方主张的走宽阔的明铁盖达坂的方案，而取道地势高峻的红其拉甫山口。
| trans-quote =In 1966, when Zhang Xiqin, then deputy commander of the Xinjiang Military Region, was presiding over the construction of the China-Pakistan Highway, in order to avoid enemy air attacks, he gave up the plan advocated by Pakistan to take the wide Mingtie Gaida Ban, and instead took the high-terrain Khunjela. Fushankou.
| archive-date = 10 November 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211110125959/https://site.douban.com/121981/widget/notes/4169991/note/274606907/
| url-status = live
}}</ref> About 810 Pakistanis and about 200 Chinese workers died,<ref>[http://www.pakpost.gov.pk/philately/stamps2003/karakoram_highway.html 25th Anniversary of the Karakoram Highway (1978–2003)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528060319/http://www.pakpost.gov.pk/philately/stamps2003/karakoram_highway.html |date=28 May 2013 }}". ''Pakistan Post Office,'' 16 May 2006. Retrieved on 10 July 2006.</ref> mostly in [[landslides]] and falls, while building the highway. Over 140 Chinese workers who died during the construction are buried in the [[Chinese Cemetery (Danyor)|Chinese cemetery]] in Gilgit.<ref name="lkq_speech">{{Cite speech
| title = Making New Progress in Growing China-Pakistan All-Weather Friendship
| last = Li
| first = Keqiang
| author-link = Li Keqiang
| website = [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|fmprc.gov.cn]]
| date = 2013-05-23
| access-date = 2017-02-02
| url = http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/topics_665678/lkqipsg_665690/t1043526.shtml
| language = en
| quote = Near the city of Gilgit, there is a Chinese cemetery where over 140 Chinese workers who lost their lives in the construction of the Pakistani section of the Karakorum Highway (KKH) are buried.
| archive-date = 3 February 2017
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170203080719/http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/topics_665678/lkqipsg_665690/t1043526.shtml
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> The route of the KKH traces one of the many paths of the ancient [[Silk Road]].

On the Pakistani side, the road was constructed by [[Frontier Works Organisation|FWO]] (Frontier Works Organisation), employing the [[Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers]]. The Engineer-in-Chief's Branch of the Pakistani Army completed a project documenting the history of the highway. The book ''History of Karakoram Highway'' was written by Brigadier (Retired) Muhammad Mumtaz Khalid in two volumes. In the first volume, the author discusses the land and the people, the pre-historic communication system in the Northern Areas, the need for an all-weather road link with [[Gilgit]], and the construction of Indus Valley Road. The second volume records events leading to the conversion of the Indus Valley Road to the Karakoram Highway, the difficulties in its construction, and the role of the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers and their Chinese counterparts in its construction.<ref>{{cite web |author=Muhammad Mumtaz Khalid |title=History of KKH |url=http://www.historyofkkh.info/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165212/http://www.historyofkkh.info/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-06-13 |website=www.historyofkkh.info |via=web.archive.org |access-date=18 December 2023 |date=13 June 2013}}</ref>

== The Highway ==
[[File:Pakistani truck in Karakoram Highway, Passu, Northern Areas, Pakistan.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jingle truck]]s on the Karakoram Highway.]]

The highway, connecting the [[Gilgit–Baltistan]] region to the ancient [[Silk Road]], runs approximately {{convert|1300|km|mi|abbr=on}} from [[Kashgar]], a city in the [[Xinjiang]] region of China, to [[Abbottabad]], of Pakistan. An extension of the highway southwest from [[Abbottabad]], in the form of the [[N-35 highway (Pakistan)|N-35 highway]], meets the Grand Trunk Road, [[N5 highway (Pakistan)|N-5]], at [[Hasan Abdal]], Pakistan.{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

The highway cuts through the [[Continental collision#Subduction zone: the collision site|collision zone]] between the [[Eurasian Plate]] and [[Indian Plate]], where China, [[Tajikistan]], [[Afghanistan]], and [[Pakistan]] come within {{convert|250|km|mi|abbr=on}} of each other. Owing largely to the extremely sensitive state of the [[Kashmir]] conflict between India and Pakistan, the Karakoram Highway has strategic and military importance to these nations, but particularly Pakistan and China.{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

On 30 June 2006, a [[memorandum of understanding]] was signed between the Pakistani [[National Highway Authority]] (NHA) and China's [[State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission]] (SASAC) to rebuild and upgrade the Karakoram Highway. According to SASAC, the width will be expanded from {{convert|10|to|30|m|abbr=on}}, and its transport capacity will be increased three times its current capacity. In addition, the upgraded road will be designed to particularly accommodate heavy-laden vehicles and extreme weather conditions.{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

China and Pakistan are planning{{when| date= March 2019}} to link the Karakoram Highway to the southern port of [[Gwadar port|Gwadar]] in [[Balochistan (Pakistan)|Balochistan]] through the Chinese-aided [[Gwadar]]-[[Dalbandin]] railway, which extends to [[Rawalpindi]].{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

On 4 January 2010, the KKH was closed in the [[Hunza Valley]], eliminating through traffic to China except by small boats. A massive [[landslide]] {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} upstream from Hunza's capital of [[Karimabad (Hunza)|Karimabad]] created the potentially unstable [[Attabad Lake]], which reached {{convert|22|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length and over {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}} in depth by the first week of June 2010 when it finally began flowing over the landslide dam. The landslide destroyed parts of villages while killing many inhabitants. The subsequent lake displaced thousands and inundated over {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the KKH, including the {{convert|310|m|ft|abbr=on}} long KKH bridge {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} south of [[Gulmit]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nation.com.pk/10-Mar-2010/thousands-at-risk-due-to-hunza-river-blockade |title=Thousands at risk due to Hunza river blockade |date=10 March 2010 |access-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617040400/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Lahore/10-Mar-2010/Thousands-at-risk-due-to-Hunza-river-blockade |archive-date=17 June 2010 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sci-tech/03-rising-water-threatens-villages-in-hunza-ss-03 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |title=Rising Water Threatens Villages in Hunza |access-date=12 May 2010 |archive-date=19 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519034801/http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/sci-tech/03-rising-water-threatens-villages-in-hunza-ss-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gilgity.blogspot.com/ |title=Blockage of Hunza river, Landslide blog written by Shakeelgilgity, Gilgit-Baltistan |access-date=12 May 2010 |archive-date=1 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101115351/http://gilgity.blogspot.com/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

It is highly questionable{{According to whom|date=December 2024}} whether the lake, which reached {{convert|27|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length in 2011, will drain. Goods from and to further north were transported over the lake by small vessels, to be reloaded onto trucks at the other end.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/landslide-cuts-crucial-chinapak-road-link-hits-military-supplies/627104/0 Landslide cuts crucial China-Pak road link, hits military supplies – Indian Express<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In July 2012, Pakistan began constructing a revised route around the lake at a higher elevation with five new tunnels, with a total length of 7.12&nbsp;km and two new bridges. The work was contracted out to the China Road & Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and was completed in September 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|author1=Khan, Asghar  |author2=Khan, Zulfiqar Ali |title=KKH Re-Alignment: 94% work on the project completed so far, remaining to be completed by Sep. 25 this year |date=27 June 2015 |newspaper=Pamir Times |url=http://pamirtimes.net/2015/06/27/kkh-re-alignment-94-work-on-the-project-completed-so-far-remaining-to-be-completed-by-sep-25-this-year/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150627164303/http://pamirtimes.net/2015/06/27/kkh-re-alignment-94-work-on-the-project-completed-so-far-remaining-to-be-completed-by-sep-25-this-year/ |archive-date=27 June 2015 |url-status = live }}</ref>

=== Pakistani section ===
[[File:Start Karkoram Highway.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Milestone near Besham in [[Pakistan]].]]

At {{convert|806|km|mi|abbr=on}} in length,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://downloads.nha.gov.pk/images/stories/services/routedistance/rd4.jpg |title=route distance |access-date=19 February 2018 |archive-date=29 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829173527/http://downloads.nha.gov.pk/images/stories/services/routedistance/rd4.jpg |url-status=dead }}</ref> the Pakistani section of the highway starts at [[Abbottabad]], although the [[N-35 highway (Pakistan)|N-35]] of which KKH is now part, officially starts from Hasan Abdal. The highway meets the [[Indus River]] at [[Thakot]] and continues along the river until [[Jaglot]], where the [[Gilgit River]] joins the [[Indus River]]. This is where three great mountain ranges meet: the [[Hindukush]], the [[Himalayas]], and the [[Karakoram]]. The western end of the Himalayas, marked by the ninth highest peak in the world, [[Nanga Parbat]], can be seen from the highway. The highway passes through the capital of [[Gilgit–Baltistan]], [[Gilgit]], and continues through the valleys of [[Nagar Valley|Nagar]] and [[Hunza Valley|Hunza]], along the [[Hunza River]]. Some of the highest mountains and famous [[glaciers]] in [[Karakoram]] can be seen in this section. The highway meets the Pakistani-Chinese border at [[Khunjerab Pass]].{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

== Karakoram Highway reconstruction ==
{{Main|Reconstruction of the Karakoram Highway}}
[[File:KKHReconstructions.png|260px|thumb|Highlighted in red is the route of National Highway 35, which is to be completely rebuilt and upgraded under the CPEC agreement. Highlighted in blue is the {{convert|175|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} road between [[Gilgit]] and [[Skardu]] which is to be upgraded to a four-lane highway.]]

As part of the $46&nbsp;billion [[China Pakistan Economic Corridor]], reconstruction and upgrade works on the Pakistani portion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH) are underway. The KKH spans the {{convert|806|km|adj=on|abbr=on}} long distance between the China-Pakistan border and the town of [[Hasan Abdal]]. At [[Burhan Interchange]] near Hasan Abdal, the existing [[M1 motorway (Pakistan)|M1 motorway]] will intersect the Karakoram Highway. From there, access onwards to Islamabad and Lahore continues as part of the existing M1 and M2 motorways, while Hasan Abdal will also be at intersection of the [[China–Pakistan Economic Corridor#Eastern alignment|Eastern Alignment]], and the [[Western Alignment]] which will lead towards the port city of [[Gwadar]].

=== Karakoram Highway Realignment (China-Pakistan Friendship Tunnels) ===

A large section of the highway was damaged by a landslide in 2010 that created [[Attabad Lake]]. The resulting landslides cut off both the Hunza River and Karakoram Highway resulting in the formation of the reservoir. Prior to the completion of the bypass, all vehicular traffic had to be loaded onto boats to traverse the new reservoir. Construction of the tunnels began in 2012 and required 36 months for completion. The {{cvt|24|km|||}} long series of bridges and tunnels was inaugurated on 15 September 2015 at a cost of $275&nbsp;million{{clarify|reason=US dollars?|date=December 2018}} and was hailed as a major accomplishment.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://www.dawn.com/news/1206911|title = PM Nawaz inaugurates Pak-China Friendship Tunnels over Attabad Lake |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |date = 14 September 2015|access-date = 14 September 2015|archive-date = 4 September 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200904020544/https://www.dawn.com/news/1206911|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://tribune.com.pk/story/956452/pm-inaugurates-tunnel-over-attabad-lake-in-g-b/|title = PM inaugurates tunnels over Attabad Lake in G-B|date = 14 September 2015|access-date = 6 March 2016|archive-date = 8 November 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108101338/https://tribune.com.pk/story/956452/pm-inaugurates-tunnel-over-attabad-lake-in-g-b|url-status = live}}</ref> The route comprises five tunnels and several bridges. The longest tunnel is {{cvt|3360|m|||}}, followed by {{cvt|2736|m|||}}, {{cvt|435|m|||}}, {{cvt|410|m|||}} and {{cvt|195|m|||}}, while the Shishkat Great Bridge on [[Hunza River]] is {{cvt|1480|m|||}} long. The realignment restored the road link between Pakistan and China.{{citation needed| date = September 2025}}

=== Chinese section ===
[[File:Karakorum-carretera-d08.jpg|right|thumb|220px|The Karakoram Highway in the [[Xinjiang]] region of [[China]].]]
[[File:Karakoram Highway .jpg|thumb|230px|Karakoram Highway near [[Juglot]], where three mountain ranges meet]]
[[File:Construction of Karakorum Highway in August 2005.jpg|thumb|Construction of Karakorum Highway, Chinese section, August 2005]]
The Chinese section of the Karakoram Highway follows the north-south Sarykol ("Yellow Lake") valley just west of the [[Tarim Basin]]. The road from Kashgar goes southwest about {{convert|80|km|mi|abbr=on}} and then turns west to enter the Gez (Ghez) River canyon between [[Chakragil]] mountain on the north and [[Kongur Tagh]] mountain on the south. From the Gez canyon the population becomes Kirgiz. Having climbed up to the valley, the road turns south past Kongur, [[Karakul (China)|Karakul Lake]], and [[Muztagh Ata]] on the east. Below Muztagh Ata, a new road goes west over the [[Kulma Pass]] to join the [[Pamir Highway]] in [[Gorno-Badakhshan]], Tajikistan. The main road continues over a low pass (where the population becomes Tajik) and descends to [[Tashkurgan Town|Tashkurgan]]. Further south, a valley and jeep track leads west toward the [[Wakhjir Pass]] to the [[Wakhan Corridor]]. Next the road turns west to a checkpost and small settlement at Pirali, and then the [[Khunjerab Pass]], beyond which is Pakistan, the Khunjerab River and [[Hunza Valley|Hunza]].

=== Major towns near Karakoram Highway ===
[[File:Cathedral Ridge Passu NEFrontier Pakistan.jpg|right|thumb|220px|KKH passing through [[Passu]] in [[Pakistan]].]]
* [[Islamabad-Rawalpindi metropolitan area|Rawalpindi Islamabad]] Pakistan [[railhead]], {{RailGauge|1676mm}} [[Rail gauge|gauge]]
{{div col| colwidth = 18em}}
* [[Hassan Abdal]]
* [[Haripur, Pakistan|Haripur]]
* [[Abbottabad]]
* [[Mansehra]]
* [[Battagram]]
* [[Besham]]
* [[Pattan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|Pattan]]
* [[Kohistan District, Pakistan|Kohistan]]
* [[Dasu]]
* [[Chilas]]
* [[Juglot]]
* [[Gilgit]]
* [[Naltar Valley]]
* [[Nagar, Pakistan|Nagar]]
* [[Aliabad (Hunza)|Aliabad]]
* [[Gulmit]]
* [[Sust]]
* [[Tashkurgan Town|Tashkurgan]] (China)
* [[Upal]] (China)
{{end div col}}
* [[Kashgar]], Chinese [[railhead]], {{RailGauge|1435mm}} [[Rail gauge|gauge]]

== Tourism ==
In recent years the highway has sought to become a 'niche' [[Adventure travel|adventure tourism]] destination although Pakistan attracts few international tourists compared to domestic ones. But in recent years, owing to the improved security situation in the country, the number of foreign tourists<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mehmaanresort.pk/road-trip-on-karakoram-highway/|title=Road Trip on Karakoram Highway|last=shuaib|date=2019-08-18|website=Mehmaan Resort|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901082129/https://mehmaanresort.pk/road-trip-on-karakoram-highway/|url-status=dead}}</ref> coming to Pakistan has more than tripled since 2013, standing at 1.75 million in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1360604|title=Foreign tourists to Pakistan more than triple since 2013|date=30 September 2017 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |access-date=6 May 2018|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429013549/https://www.dawn.com/news/1360604|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among the tourist destinations in the country, KKH<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mehmaanresort.pk/hunza-valley-insight-into-colors/|title=Hunza Valley: Insight into Colors|last=shuaib|date=2019-08-18|website=Mehmaan Resort|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901082128/https://mehmaanresort.pk/hunza-valley-insight-into-colors/|url-status=dead}}</ref> is deemed as the "third best" by ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/oct/17/pakistan?page=all |work = The Guardian |location = London |title = Out of the rubble |first = Antonia |last = Windsor |date = 17 October 2006 |access-date = 7 May 2010 |archive-date = 5 November 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105083416/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/oct/17/pakistan?page=all |url-status = live }}</ref> ''[[BBC|BBC Travel]]'' cited its popularity to some as "the 8th wonder of the world", while also noting its negative impact on local environment and culture.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230903-the-karakoram-highway-the-road-thats-the-eighth-world-wonder | title= The Road that's the Eighth World Wonder | last=Shea | first=Samantha | date= 8 September 2023 | work=BBC }}</ref>

The road has given [[mountaineers]] and cyclists easier access to the many high mountains, glaciers, and lakes in the area. The highway provides access to [[Gilgit]] and [[Skardu]] from [[Islamabad]] by road. These are the two major hubs for mountaineering expeditions in the [[Gilgit–Baltistan]] region of [[Pakistan administered Kashmir]].<ref>''Pakistan and the Karakoram Highway'', Owen Bennett-Jones, Lindsay Brown, and John Mock, Lonely Planet Publications; 6 Rev Ed edition (30 Sep 2004), {{ISBN|0-86442-709-3}}</ref>

The Gilgit–Baltistan Administration of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the Xinjiang Administration of China have signed an agreement to issue border passes to their permanent residents. This pass is valid for a calendar year and is used to travel through Khunjerab Pass only. Karakoram Highway has been described as one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. KKH provides a cross country road trip from Hasan Abdal, Pakistan to Kashgar.<ref>{{cite web |last1 = Karakoram Highway |first1 = Road Trip |title = Karakoram Highway Cross Country Road Trip |url = http://www.skardu.pk/karakoram-highway-road-trip-cross-country-adventure-in-gilgit-baltistan/ |website = www.skardu.pk |publisher = Skardu.pk |access-date = 23 November 2016 |archive-date = 24 November 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161124030131/http://www.skardu.pk/karakoram-highway-road-trip-cross-country-adventure-in-gilgit-baltistan/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[Naltar Valley]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mehmaanresort.pk/naltar-valley-heaven-on-earth/|title=Naltar Valley: Heaven on Earth|last=shuaib|date=2019-08-18|website=Mehmaan Resort|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901082129/https://mehmaanresort.pk/naltar-valley-heaven-on-earth/|url-status=dead}}</ref> is one of the most scenic valleys accessed via Karakoram Highway. The valley offers snow clad mountains, sky high peaks, alpine ski slopes, high altitude lakes, glaciers and mountain passes. Bishgiri Lake is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan. While Pakora Pass is famous for its glaciers and meadows.

=== Mountains and glaciers ===
[[File:314国道 - National Highway 314 - 2015.04 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Karakoram Highway in [[Akto County]], Xinjiang]]
[[File:Baltistan.jpg|right|thumb|220px|KKH along the [[Indus River]], 2001.]]

Karakoram Highway provides the pathway to expeditions for almost all peaks in [[Gilgit–Baltistan]], Kashmir and several peaks in [[Xinjiang]] China. The region includes some of the world's largest glaciers like the [[Baltoro Glacier|Baltoro and Siachen Glaciers]]. Two of the [[Eight-thousander]]s (mountains taller than {{convert|8000|m|ft|abbr=on}}) of the world that are in [[Pakistan]] are accessible by the highway. The notable mountains that can be directly seen while travelling on the highway are:

* [[Nanga Parbat]], Gilgit–Baltistan, 9th highest of the world at {{convert|8126|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* [[Rakaposhi]], Gilgit–Baltistan, 27th highest of the world at {{convert|7788|m|ft|abbr=on}}
* [[Diran]], Gilgit–Baltistan, most dangerous mountain in [[Pakistan]]
* [[Shispare]], Gilgit–Baltistan
* [[Ultar Peak]], Gilgit–Baltistan 
* [[Tupopdan]], Gilgit–Baltistan, also known as Cathedral Peaks near [[Passu]]

Many glaciers can be seen while travelling on the highway:

* Minapin Glacier
* [[Passu Glacier]]
* Ghulkin Glacier
* Khunjerab Glacier

=== Rivers and lakes ===
Several rivers and lakes are made accessible by the highway. These include:
* [[Indus River]]
* [[Hunza River]]
* [[Attabad Lake]]
* [[Gilgit River]]
* [[Khunjerab River]]
* [[Karakul (China)|Karakul Lake]] in Xinjiang (China)

=== Rock art and petroglyphs ===
[[File:Shattial Carvings.JPG|thumb|On the Karokoram Highway near Chilas.]]
{{Main|Northern Areas, Pakistan#Rock art and petroglyphs}}

There are more than 50,000 pieces of rock art and [[petroglyph]]s all along the highway that are concentrated at ten major sites between [[Hunza Valley|Hunza]] and [[Shatial]]. The carvings were left by invaders, traders, and [[pilgrims]] who passed along the trade route, as well as by locals. The earliest date back to between 5000 and 1000 BC, showing single animals, triangular men, and hunting scenes in which the animals are larger than the hunters. These [[Stone carving|carvings]] were pecked into the rock with stone tools and are covered with a thick [[patina]] that yields their age.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}

=== Travel ===
There are several transport companies in Pakistan that offer bus service between major towns of the highway from [[Rawalpindi]] and [[Lahore]]. The largest company is [[Northern Areas Transport Corporation]] (NATCO). Other companies are Masherbrum Travel, Silk Route Travel, K-2 movers, Anchan Travel, and Saeed Travel.{{citation needed|date=September 2025}}

=== Bus service between Gilgit and Kashgar ===
On 1 June 2006, daily bus service began between [[Gilgit]], [[Gilgit–Baltistan]], and [[Kashgar]], Xinjiang, through the [[Sust]] and [[Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County|Tashkorgan]] border area.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/23/nat2.htm |title=Kashghar-Gilgit bus service planned |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]] |date = 23 March 2006 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215045454/http://www.dawn.com/2006/03/23/nat2.htm |archive-date = 15 February 2009 }}</ref>

== Climate ==
[[File:Landslide 2.jpg|220px|thumb|right|Landslides, particularly during the rainy season, sporadically disturb the traffic for several hours.]]
[[File:The beautiful Karakoram Highway.jpg|thumb|Karakoram Highway ahead of Juglot, Gilgit]]

The KKH is best travelled in the spring or early autumn. Heavy snow during harsh winters can shut the highway down for extended periods. Heavy [[monsoon]] rains around July and August cause occasional [[landslides]] that can block the road for hours or more. The border crossing between China and [[Pakistan]] at [[Khunjerab Pass]] is open only between 1 May and 31 December.{{citation needed|date=October 2025}}

==Alternate road (Xinjiang-GB-Azad Kashmir road)==
The proposed Xinjiang-GB-Azad Kashmir road would be linked to [[Yarkant County]] in [[Xinjiang]], and enter [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] through [[Mustagh Pass]], 126&nbsp;km west of [[Ladakh]], crossing the major supply artery from the Karakoram Highway near [[Skardu]] city. From there, it would run south through the high-altitude Deosai Plateau to the [[Astore Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3119850/will-new-road-between-china-and-pakistan-lead-military-boost|title=Will a new road between China and Pakistan lead to a military boost against India?|date=31 January 2021|access-date=1 February 2021|archive-date=1 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201125502/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3119850/will-new-road-between-china-and-pakistan-lead-military-boost|url-status=live}}</ref>  A road tunnel is proposed to be constructed through the mountains to connect Astore to the [[Neelum Valley]] in the [[Azad Kashmir]] region.

== See also ==
* [[Attabad Lake]]
* [[Edicts of Ashoka]]
* [[Gilgit]]
* [[Gilgit–Baltistan]]
* [[Hunza Valley]]
* [[Karakoram]]
* [[Karakoram Pass]]
* [[Kashgar]]
* [[Kashmir]]
* [[Jammu–Baramulla line]]
* [[Ladakh]]
* [[Leh–Manali Highway]]
* [[Araniko Highway]]
* [[National Highway 5 (India)]] – An alternate route for access to the Arabian Sea from China<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indiachina-bhai-bhai-revisited/211530-61.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108034820/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/indiachina-bhai-bhai-revisited/211530-61.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-01-08 |title=India-China Bhai Bhai revisited<!-- Bot generated title -->]|website=India Global |date=2011-12-13}}</ref>
* [[National Highways of Pakistan]]
* [[Pamir Highway]]
* [[Safar Hai Shart]]
* [[Shandur Pass|Shandur]]
* [[Silk Road#Overland routes|Silk Road]] (section "Overland routes")
* [[Skardu]]
* [[Xinjiang]]
[[File:Karakoram Highway view from Altit fort.jpg|thumb|Karakoram Highway view from Altit fort, Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikivoyage}}
{{Commons category|Karakoram Highway}}
* '''Urdu:''' [http://pamirtimes.net/2011/01/22/documentary-the-high-road-to-hunza-by-waqar-malik/ Safar Hai Shart A documentary on Karakoram Highway 8th wonder of the world]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130613165212/http://www.historyofkkh.info/ History of KKH by Brigadier (Retired) Mumtaz Khalid (Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers)]
* [http://blankonthemap.free.fr Blankonthemap] The Northern Kashmir WebSite
* [http://eprints.soas.ac.uk/3217/1/TJNoAr.pdf Burzine Waghmar's notes on the KKH and review of Tahir Jahangir] A Travel Companion to the Northern Areas of Pakistan, OUP, 2004
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511194625/http://www.northernareas.org.pk/ Northern Areas Development Gateway]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040107222554/http://paknews.com/articles.php?id=1&date1=2003-04-17 Pakistan's Northern Areas]
* [http://www.johnthemap.co.uk/pages/kkh_page1.html Karakoram Highway Map]
* [http://www.lonelyplanet.com/pakistan/karakoram-highway A good brief description of the highway]
* [http://www.kkh.faithweb.com Photographic Account of Journey through KKH]
* [http://www.skardu.pk/karakoram-highway-road-trip-cross-country-adventure-in-gilgit-baltistan/ Karakoram Highway Road Trip Cross Country Adventure In Gilgit Baltistan]

{{National Highways of Pakistan}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Roads in Pakistan|N-35]]
[[Category:Highways in Pakistan|N-35]]
[[Category:Transport in Xinjiang]]
[[Category:Transport in Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:China–Pakistan border crossings]]
[[Category:Sites along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Karakoram]]
[[Category:Government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]]
[[Category:China–Pakistan Economic Corridor]]
[[Category:China–Pakistan relations]]