Khunjerab Pass
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The Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass on the northern border of Pakistan with the People's Republic of China. It peaks at 4,693 metres (15,397 ft) which makes it the highest paved border crossing in the world. It is also the highest point on the Karakoram Highway. The name comes from the Wakhi for 'Blood Valley'. This section of the road was completed in 1982.
The long flat pass is often snow covered during the winter season and is closed from October 15 to May 1. There is excellent grazing on the Chinese side of the pass and domesticated yaks and dzu (a cross between yaks and cows) may be seen from the road. On the Pakistani side, the highway travels about 50 km across the extensive Khunjerab National Park before reaching the security outpost of Dih. From there, it is another 35 km to the customs and immigration post at Sust. In March 2006, the respective governments announced that, commencing on June 1, 2006, daily bus service would begin across the boundary from Gilgit, Pakistan to Kashghar, the People's Republic of China and road widening work would begin on 600 kilometers of the highway. [1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Curzon, George Nathaniel. 1896. The Pamirs and the Source of the Oxus. Royal Geographical Society, London. Reprint: Elibron Classics Series, Adamant Media Corporation. 2005. ISBN 1-4021-5983-8 (pbk; ISBN 1-4021-3090-2 (hbk).
- King, John 1989. Karakoram Highway : the high road to China. Hawthorn, Victoria, Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 0-86442-065-X
