Karakoram Highway

The Karakoram Highway runs south from Kashgar through the Pamir foothills, past the extraordinary blue-green Karakul Lake at 3,600 metres, up to the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 metres, and then down into Pakistan. It is one of the most dramatic roads in the world — the scenery shifts from flat desert oasis to alpine plateau to Himalayan gorge within a few hours of driving. Kashgar is the natural starting point for the journey south.

Even if you are not crossing into Pakistan, the road south of Kashgar is worth doing for a day or two. Karakul Lake, with Muztagh Ata (7,546 metres) reflected in the water, is accessible in a day from Kashgar. The town of Tashkorgan, 280 kilometres south, is the last Chinese settlement before the pass and has its own Silk Road fort to explore. Shared taxis and public buses run south from Kashgar's long-distance bus station, or you can arrange a private vehicle for more flexibility.

things to do sight cycling
A story
The Karakoram Highway was built by Pakistan and China between 1959 and 1979, at a cost of more than 800 lives — one for roughly every kilometre of road. Many of the workers who died were Pakistani labourers; the Chinese contribution came largely from the People's Liberation Army. The highway opened the first regular overland link between the two countries and was hailed as a symbol of friendship, though the politics of the region have never been simple.

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