Echoes from the Karakorum

Highest border

The next morning, I boarded an international bus in Tashikurgan. The journey took us from the customs checkpoint up through winding roads, climbing ever higher.

One and a half hours later, the bus reached Khunjerab Pass — at 4,733 meters above sea level — the highest paved border crossing in the world, and the only land border between China and Pakistan.

From Dec 1, the border transitioned from a seasonal gateway to a year-round open land port, which marks a milestone in bilateral logistics once hampered by altitude and snow.

In the first four months of 2025, more than 24,000 metric tons of goods passed through, along with over 6,000 travelers, according to Xinhua News Agency.