Karakoram highway formally known as KKH is considered the highest paved international road in the world. It is a 1300 kilometers long road that connects the region of Gilgit Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab with China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. of is a road to heaven that offers spectacular views. It is also known as the Friendship Highway in China because it is a joint effort of both Pakistan and China. The construction of the road started in 1959 and opened to the public in 1979. The construction took almost 20 years to complete. The National highway is known as the eighth wonder of the world due to its high elevation of 4,714 meters that makes it a famous tourist attraction.
The construction took place in quite difficult conditions, about 810 Pakistanis and 200 Chinese labor force have lost their lives during the construction work.
The number of foreign tourists to Pakistan has increased since 2013, due to the improved security situation in the country.
According to The Guardian, among the tourist destinations in Pakistan, Karakoram Highway is the third best destination to visit especially for adventure lovers. It has given easier access to mountaineers and cyclists to reach high mountains and glaciers. The highway provides access to many beautiful valleys of Pakistan including Gilgit, Skardu, Nalter, etc.
Moreover, the National Highway provides a route to expeditions for almost all peaks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit–Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, and numerous high peaks in Xinjiang China. World’s Five of the Eight-thousanders and largest glaciers that are located in Pakistan are accessible by the highway. It is not wrong to say that Karakoram Highway is one of the classic journeys of the travel world.
