{"id":7416,"date":"2020-11-17T06:50:00","date_gmt":"2020-11-17T04:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?p=7416\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T09:21:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T07:21:52","slug":"karakoram-highway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/karakoram-highway\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to the Karakoram Highway – From Pakistan to China"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wanna travel to Pakistan with Against the Compass?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Join a group of like-minded travelers in our next scheduled tour in Pakistan:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 12th to 21st, 2026<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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learn more<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The following article is the most comprehensive travel guide to the Karakoram Highway available on the internet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Completed in 1979 and opened to the public in 1985, the Karakoram Highway, formally known as the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway, is a 1,300km road which links Hasan Abdal (located a few kilometers beyond Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan) with Kashgar, the second most important city in Xinjiang province, China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What was once an important ”Silk Road” route which used to link the Indian sub-continent with China, is today considered the 8th wonder of the world, since the altitude and the hard conditions in which it was built made it become an architectonic masterpiece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the Karakorum Highway has attracted travelers from all over the world for decades; not only because it is the highest paved road in the world (4,800m at Khunjerab Pass<\/a><\/strong>) but also because it goes through the three greatest mountain ranges on Earth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the Himalayas, the Karakoram and the Hindu Kush. The Karakoram Highway is, perhaps, one of the only places in the world where you can admire a mountain 8,000 meters high, like Nanga Parbat<\/a><\/strong>, from the window of your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Karakoram Road is, definitely, the most epic road trip ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, these colossal mountains and the huge contrasting landscapes are not the only reason for going on such a journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along the way, you will pass through an endless number of regions, where a large number of ethnic and religious groups live: from the Punjabis in the center of Pakistan to the Ismailis in Hunza, the Tajiks in Tashgurkan and, of course, the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traveling along the Karakoram Highway is like going on a journey through several tiny countries, whose inhabitants will bless you with their hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After spending no less than 40 days hitchhiking my way from village to village and experiencing quite a few adventures, I have compiled all the necessary information that will help you travel along the Karakoram Highway (KKH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read: The ultimate travel itinerary to Pakistan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this Karakoram Highway travel guide you will find:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Table of Contents<\/p>\n\n\n\n