The 9th Wonder of the World: The Pakistan-China Karakoram Highway
The word highway, well, is a bit misleading here. The N-35 or the Karakoram Highway is the world's 9th wonder of sorts as it is a two lane-sometimes one lane- hard surfaced road from Pakistan to China. It is the world's highest road climbing to over 15,000 ft. over much of the Karakoram Mountains.
Considered to be a 9th Wonder because of the difficulty it was to build it. It took 20 years from 1959 to 1979. It was opened in 1986 and 1000 workers lost their lives creating it out of the solid rock along and over mountains. The 810 mile long road is a marvel to look at in pictures and defies understanding at times as to how it was built! The road begins from Abbottabad (where Osama Bin Laden was killed) and ends in Xinjiang, China. The road passes five of the eight highest mountains of the world and nears four of the world's largest glaciers.
It attracts many tourists and hikers or mountain climbers since the road allows them easy access. Daily bus service from the two countries began in 2006. If you plan to go, the best time is late August-September or April-May due to weather which frequently close the road for hours.
When you look at photos, you are convinced it is, indeed, a 9th Wonder!
Comments
Did this trip in 1988: looks the same as what you have in the pics. A ‘challenging’ trip and possibly more so now with dramatic decline in relations between Uighurs and Han Chinese. Not many bus trips include someone on the roof to check for avalanches!
That's amazing! I'd like to go there - if it's safe
The first photograph is incredible! All of the pictures are great. I had never heard of it. Thank you for the illumination.
@perrya, I will :) thanks
Loved the Hub and pictures....I learned something...thanks. :o)
Think that I will settle for just viewing these amazing photos. Looks like it would be a very scary road to traverse! Voted interesting.
@perrya, yes I'm in China. This is one of the places I'd really like to visit. I have been to the crossroad of North Korea and Russia last month in Jilin Province
Thanks for the hub. Very interesting. Beautiful scenes.
One of the places that I would really love to visit here in China. Breathtaking road! OMG! Voting your hub as awesome! :)
Since you are sensitive to beauty, what about Isfahan?
Wow, amazing! I've never heard about this before, thanks for sharing!
WOW!!! Talk about a road with a view!! But, I would be scared to death(and slow as molasses)rounding those corners. lol
Excellent hub! Voted up!
16