Landscape along the Pamir Highway

The Karakoram Highway or the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway is a 1,300 km national highway which extends from Hasan Abdal in the 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 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, maximum elevation of 4,714 m.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. The highway is also a part of the Asian Highway AH4.

Karakoram Highway is a scenic drive, a popular tourist destination sought after by numerous adventure travelers. Traveling from Kashgar to Tashkurgan is the highlight of  Karakoram Highway dotted with some magical landscapes and historical sites.

● Highlights along KKH

Oytagh Canyon

Oytagh Glacier Park is a natural and ecological landscape park. The meaning of Oytagh in Uyghur language is "low lying land in the mountain". lt is surrounded by rolling ridges and deep ravines. A strip of green land stretches out from Oytagh Valley. The surrounding mountains in this area all display a red tint and are great for taking photos. If you were to head west into the valley, you would eventually hit the Oytagh Glacier Park

White Sand Lake

White Sand Lake is located next to the Karakoram Highway, so it is one of the must stop spot on the way to Karakul lake and Tashkorgan. The white sand dunes reflecting in the teal-coloured lake and piercing blue skies behind it is unbelievable. Plan to spend a decent amount of time here to enjoy the fantastic scenery and take photos.

Kongur Mountain

Kongur Tagh or Kongkoerh  is at 7,649 m the highest mountain wholly within the Xinjiang. It is situated just north of Muztagh Ata and can be seen  from Karakul Lake.  The construction of the Karakorum has made it more accessible.

Muztagh Ata

Muztagh Ata is at 7546 metres. It is often considered as being part of the Kunlun Shan, though physically it is more closely lined to the Pamirs. Muztagh Ata is located just south of Kongur Tagh, the highest peak of the Kunlun Mountain.  Muztagh has been respected as the Father of Ice Mountains, well known for its magical  world of glaciers.

Karakul Lake 

The Karakul Lake or Karakuli Lake is located about 196 km south of Kashgar on the Karakoram Highway. The lake is at 3600 meters, the highest lake on the Pamir plateau. Karakul Lake is surrounded by some snow-covered mountains and three of the highest peaks are  Muztagh Ata (7,546 m), Kongur Tagh (7,649 m) and Kongur Tiube (7,530 m). Karakul Lake is a popular tourist destination with much camping activities.

Taheman wetland

“ Tahoma ” Tajik means “ Surrounded by mountains ”, The locals call it “ Divine flowers multiply ” The land . Taheman wetland is the largest basin and grassland in Tashkurgan , It is also the largest golden pasture in Tashkurgan . This plateau wetland is located in “ Father of iceberg ” At the foot of Mount mustard , The surrounding snow peaks are continuous , Wetlands and streams crisscross , The grassland is golden , Flocks and herds , The scenery is magnificent .

Stone City

The Stone City, with a history over 2,000 years old, is located in the north of Tashkurgan County, is a famous ancient city ruins along the ancient Silk Road in Xinjiang.

The city was ty built on a high hill, the situation is very steep. Outside have multilayer or broken walls, place stone mingle with soil.

Here travelers can appreciate the view of the ruined city with the beautiful surroundings such as vast grasslands, green mountains, clean rivers as well as the the flavor of national traits of the Tajik people.

Khunjerab Pass 

The Khunjerab Pass is at the height of 4800 meters, China’s gateway to Pakistan.  The pass was used by caravans for centuries along the old silk road. Khunjerab,  literally “Valley of Blood”, telling the story of the local bandits plundering caravans and slaughtering merchants. Now the pass is the essential gateway going from China to Pakistan along Karakoram Highway. The border officially opens May to October.