The national flags of China and Pakistan. [Photo/IC]
At the age of 19, I had the honor to travel between China and Pakistan via the Karakorum Highway. During my study in China from 1980-1987, I used to travel back to Pakistan by the highway almost every year. Part of the road was still under construction or under repair due to damage caused by landslides and heavy rains. It was rather a long journey, yet adventurous and full of joy and entertainment. It provided me an opportunity to monitor nature closely and became part of my lifetime memories.
The magnificent Karakoram Highway, also called the Pakistan-China Friendship Highway (Zhongba Youyi Gonglu), connects the ancient city of Kashgar in the western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region of Xinjiang, China, with the beautiful modern city of Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. They are famously known as the ancient Silk Road Route, used by Chinese traders on their journey toward the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. Due to the region's unique topography, high-altitude mountains, snow-covered peaks and tough terrain, it took almost 21 years for the highway to be completed. Starting from Hassan Abdal in Pakistan and passing through Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Besham, Dasu, Chilas, Jaglot, Gilgit, Hunza, Nagar, Sust, and the Khunjerab Pass it ends in Kashgar in China.