Karakoram Highway – Kashgar to Khunjerab Pass via Gez Canyon and Karakul Lake
Built on bones. The Karakoram's Chinese spine.
Built by Chinese and Pakistani laborers between 1959 and 1979 at enormous human cost — reportedly one worker died per kilometer — the Karakoram Highway remains one of the most dramatic road corridors on the planet. Heading south from Kashgar, the first gut-punch is the Gez River Canyon, where the paved road squeezes between sheer red walls with the Gez River crashing below. Past Gez the valley opens into the Taghdumbash Pamir and Karakul Lake appears, a high-altitude mirror at 3,600 meters reflecting Muztagh Ata (7,546m) and Kongur Tagh when the sky cooperates. The last 130 kilometers to Khunjerab Pass at 4,693 meters is a slow, oxygen-thin grind through bare brown mountains where yaks graze next to the tarmac.
This segment is paved and accessible to standard vehicles in summer, but altitude sickness is a genuine risk if you’ve driven straight from Kashgar without acclimatizing. The pass itself closes roughly October through April under heavy snow. You’ll need a Chinese border zone permit obtainable in Kashgar — don’t skip this; checkpoints are real and enforcement is consistent. Fuel in Kashgar and Tashkurgan, nothing between. Tashkurgan at 3,100 meters is the last major town and a logical overnight stop before tackling the final push. What you get out of this drive is a view of Central Asia’s mountain architecture that almost no road on Earth can match.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 174 mi / 280 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15404 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Standard 4WD recommended; high-clearance preferred for shoulder season |
| Nearest town | Kashgar, Xinjiang |
| Land manager | China National Highway Administration / Xinjiang Transport Bureau |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Patrol handle this route, or do I need a built rig?
A stock 4WD with decent ground clearance handles the KKH fine in peak season — the surface is graded gravel and paved sections, not technical rock crawling. Shoulder season (May, late October) can throw mud, snow patches, and washed sections at you, where high clearance earns its keep.
When does the route actually close, and is snow at Khunjerab Pass a real concern?
The pass sits at 4,693m (15,404ft) and typically closes November through April due to snow and ice — the official window is May 1 to October 31. Even in early May and late October, expect freezing temps at altitude and possible snow on the pass itself; check with Xinjiang Transport Bureau before committing.
What permits do foreigners need to drive this route through Xinjiang?
Foreign nationals require a valid Chinese visa plus a Xinjiang travel permit — enforcement has been strict and unpredictable in recent years. You'll also need a border pass (边境通行证) for the Khunjerab area, typically arranged through a licensed local agency in Kashgar; self-drive foreigners face additional scrutiny and should verify current regulations before departure.
What's the hardest section, and what specifically makes it difficult?
Gez Canyon is the most committed stretch — narrow road cut into sheer gorge walls, occasional rockfall, and no guardrails on serious exposure. It's not technically hard driving, but a mistake has real consequences; oncoming trucks demand full attention and there's nowhere to go if a section has slid out.
Is there fuel between Kashgar and Khunjerab Pass, and can I camp at Karakul Lake?
Tashkurgan (~200km from Kashgar) is your last reliable fuel stop before the pass — carry a reserve if your rig drinks heavily at altitude. Karakul Lake has basic yurt camps run by local Kyrgyz families where you can sleep and eat; dispersed camping near the lake is possible but cold at 3,600m — bring a serious sleeping bag year-round.
Trail track
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