Karakorum highway
The
Karakorum highway (KKH) is a road in northern
Pakistan
that links
Islamabad
with
Kashgar,
China
over the
Khunjerab
Pass. It was built through some highly mountainous terrain between 1966
and 1982 (opened in 1986) by the Pakistani government with much Chinese assistance
at a high human cost as well as financial ($3 bn), an estimated 25,000 worked
and 1,300 died during construction (882 official). It is over 1,250 km in length
and despite constant efforts the harsh climate, snow and regular landslides
often interrupt travel.
In recent years, it has become something of a destination for adventure travel.
Rock art and petroglyphs are found all along the road.
See also: Karakoram