Karakoram Highway – The 8th Wonder of the World

Travelling along the Karakoram Highway (KKH), locally known as Shahrah e Karakoram, is considered one of the best road trip experiences in Pakistan. And, if you think we are exaggerating, we invite you to visit the highway and prove otherwise! Rightfully dubbed as the eighth wonder of the world, the Karakoram Highway is undoubtedly a marvel of engineering. The highway was completed in 1979 and was opened for the public in 1985.

Exploring the Karakoram Highway

Stretching from Pakistan to China, the Karakoram Highway is one of the longest roads in the world

If you are one of the adventure-seekers and planning a journey via the KKH, then below are some important things to bear in mind about this wondrous stretch of road in Pakistan that goes all the way to China.

History

Silk Road, which connected China to the Indian Subcontinent, was one of the most important trade routes some centuries ago. The road was then transformed into a mega-highway, which was initially known as the Pak China Friendship Highway. Experts call the Karakoram Highway an architectonic masterpiece and it is often referred to as the ‘Eighth Wonder of the Wonder’. 
It took the most brilliant minds in Pakistan and China a total of over 20 years to complete the highway, which stretches hundreds of miles over gorges, valleys, hills, and rivers. Around 15,000 men from the Pakistan Army and thousands of Chinese workers joined forces to build KKH, which is constructed over one of the most dangerous terrains in the world.

Where It Starts and Ends

The KKH starts from Hasan Abdal in Punjab and goes all the way to the city of Kashgar in far west China

Karakoram Highway, which has many twists and turns, stretches across miles of valleys and barren land with an unparalleled view of the surrounding mountains. The Pakistani section of the highway officially starts at Hasan Abdal in Punjab, 50 km northwest of Rawalpindi. On the other hand, the city of Kashgar is the starting point of the Karakoram Highway in China.
Khunjerab Pass, on the Karakoram Highway, is the point where the borders of Pakistan and China meet. Nevertheless, if you plan to enter China from Pakistan, or vice versa, then you should know that Khunjarab Pass is closed from November to March due to heavy snowfall.
The KKH has also been included in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, because of which various sections of the highway have already been or are being repaired to offer an improved travelling experience.

Reconstruction as part of the CPEC route

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a result of the friendly ties between Pakistan and China and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As a part of the CPEC route, reconstruction of the Karakoram Highway’s different sections has been planned and initiated. A 54-kilometer section of the KKH from Hasan Abdal to Havelian, which is currently a two-way road with one lane for each direction, will be transformed into a four-lane expressway.
Similarly, other parts of the Karakoram Pass (N-35) in Pakistan as well as National Highway (N-5) are also being expanded or reconstructed. These infrastructure improvements on the Karakoram Highway will make it easier for heavy traffic to flow smoothly and the transportation of goods from the port city of Gwadar in Pakistan to China — and the other way around — will also be significantly improved.

How Long Is the Karakoram Highway?

The Karakoram Highway is a whopping 1300 km stretch of road

Shahrah e Karakoram is a whopping 1,300-kilometre stretch of road, passing through many beautiful spots in the northern areas of Pakistan. It is a two-way road that is accessible all-year-round except for the Khunjerab Pass part as it remains closed for a few months every year due to heavy snowfall. 
The Pakistani section of the Karakoram Pass is 806-kilometre long, starting from Hasan Abdal, a city in the Attock district of Punjab, and ending at Pak-China border.

The Highest Point of KKH

One of the reasons why the KKH is dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World is because the altitude of the Karakoram Highway near Khunjerab Pass hits a high of 4,800-metre above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the world. However, travellers will be glad to know that the ascent is very gradual, so they might not feel any travel sickness, but it is still recommended to consume loads of fluids.

Modes of Transportation

Usually heavy traffic can be spotted on the KKH, which is an important trade route between Pakistan and China

Different modes of transportation can be used to travel on the Karakoram Highway. Starting from Hasan Abdal, it will take you approximately 10 days with over 4 to 5 night stays at multiple points to reach the end of the highway.
Apart from cars and buses, adventure-seekers have also been spotted on bicycles and motorbikes on the KKH. Getting on a van, which is widely used by the locals, is another very affordable and convenient way to reach multiple points on the Karakoram Highway.
At certain times during the year, mostly in harsh weather conditions, travelling by the KKH becomes extremely tough and challenging at some places. Land sliding is one of the biggest threats, due to which some sections, especially the ones passing through the mountains, sometimes allow only one vehicle to pass at a time.

Sight-seeing and Food Spots Along the Karakoram Highway

You come across some of the most spectacular natural views while travelling on the Karakoram Highway

The Karakoram Highway is one of the key attractions for tourists in Pakistan because of the spectacular views of the highest mountain ranges in the world, The Himalayas and The Karakoram.
The historical city of Hasan Abdal greets you at the starting point of the Karakoram Highway. As you keep travelling on this highway, you are delighted with more natural beauty of upper Punjab.
You will come across many breath-taking natural sights as you go further up on the highway.  The 300-kilometre stretch of the KKH between Islamabad and China has some hidden gems that need to be explored by every tourist visiting Pakistan.
Moreover, the natural beauty of Mansehra, Abbotabad, Thakot, Pattan Besham, Sazin, Chils, and Gilgit Baltistan is bound to leave you in awe. Also, don’t miss out on some mesmerizing views of the Hunza River at some places as you travel along the Karakoram Highway.
Since you will be at a high altitude, you might feel hungry more frequently. In fact, the Karakoram Highway is used by hundreds of truckers, tourists in Pakistan, and traders every day, who prefer to eat at the local restaurants built on the highway.

Where to Stay in Islamabad?

As the Karakoram Pass is in proximity to Islamabad, it is fairly common for travellers to stay in the capital city for a night or two before they begin their journey. So, if you also have similar plans, then you can easily book your stay at one out of many rest houses and hotels in Islamabad.

About Islamabad?

Islamabad is one of the most beautiful, planned cities in the world with greenery to match. If sight-seeing is one of your travel goals, then the administrative capital of Pakistan is where you should be since there are many places that you can visit to spend a delightful day in Islamabad.