Where Is the Karakoram Highway?

The Karakoram Highway, often called the "Eighth Wonder of the World," is a 1,300-km engineering marvel connecting Pakistan and China through some of the most extreme terrain on Earth. Built jointly by Pakistan and China between 1959 and 1979, it follows sections of the ancient Silk Road through the Karakoram, Himalayan, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. The highway crosses the Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 metres — the highest point on any paved international border crossing. Construction was extraordinarily dangerous: an estimated 810 Pakistani and 200 Chinese workers died from landslides, falling rocks, and extreme conditions during the 20-year project. The road passes through spectacular scenery: Hunza Valley, Attabad Lake (formed by a 2010 landslide), and views of 8,000-metre peaks including K2 (the world second-tallest mountain). The highway is a vital trade and cultural link but requires constant maintenance against landslides, floods, and seismic activity.