This practical guide covers everything for your journey through the Karakoram Highway from Kashgar. Explore the stunning Karakul Lake, the hidden Banding Blue Lake, and much more.
In my previous article, I wrote an extensive travel guide to Kashgar, one of the most iconic cities in Xinjiang. Chances are that if you find yourself in this remote corner of China, you might want to explore the other areas nearby, and the Karakorum Highway is the most beautiful and interesting one.
It stretches over 1,300 kilometers between Pakistan and China, and it’s the highest paved road on earth. Topping out at 4,693 meters, it’s a legendary journey and an absolute must-do road trip.
The Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway (喀喇昆仑公路), or KKH, takes you past striking red mountains, incredible white sand lakes, and the iconic Karakul Lake, all while offering a firsthand look at the culture and people of Xinjiang. It’s a trip that requires good planning, but the views of the massive peaks and the experience of this legendary road make it worth the effort.
When is the best time?
The best time to travel the Chinese side of the Karakoram Highway is from May to October. Don’t plan a trip in the winter since the Khunjerab Pass section is closed to all traffic between November and March. On top of that, the precise closure dates vary depending on the weather. To be safe, arrange your trip during the summer months.
How to explore the KKH?
The first thing you’ll need to do is get the special permit required to cross the many checkpoints on the road. As I explained in my Kashgar article, you can do so by heading to the Kashi City Immigration Service Center (喀什市移民事务服务中心), where you can get it.
The other thing you need to consider is how to explore the area. You have two options: you can either get a Chinese driver’s license or hire a local private driver. That’s what I did, and in my opinion, it is the best option since he’ll handle all the checkpoints and recommend some hidden gems only locals know. I traveled with a Chinese agency. If you need their contact, send me a DM on Instagram.
For the accommodation, you can stay in Tashkurgan, which offers quite a few options despite being a small city. As always, I recommend using Trip over Booking since in China it has way more options.
How many days?
I recommend at the very least two days, but you can extend your stay a bit. It depends on how long you want to stay in each scenic spot. Anything more than 4 days is probably too much. It’s possible to stay longer and plan some hiking in the mountains, but you need to double-check with the tour company to see if any special permit is required (most likely it will be needed).
What to see on the Karakorum Highway (喀喇昆仑公路)
These are some of the main places along the road that you can visit. Generally speaking, there is always a tourist center in the most scenic spots, but if you have a car, you can avoid it and visit areas without people.
If you want an overview of Xinjiang and how to organize a road trip across the region, then check out this travel guide.
Baisha Lake (白沙湖)
White Sand Lake, or Baisha Lake, is a beautiful, wind-sculpted lake. It’s bordered by a massive dune of white sand that shifts with the wind, creating a surreal landscape that includes snow mountains, crystal clear waters, and dunes. The northern shore (北岸) is the most developed and touristy side, and I would avoid it. Skip the main entrance and continue driving along the road. The best views are found on the northwestern side, where you can park and explore the area all by yourself. You won’t regret it.
Karakul Lake (喀拉库勒湖)
Your next stop will be Karakul Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes on the Highway. Located at 3,600 meters above sea level, the lake is famous for its turquoise water and the dramatic reflections of the surrounding “Father of the Ice Mountains,” Muztagh Ata, and Kongur Tagh. Try to arrive in time for the sunset so that you can watch the snow mountains turn red (check the closing time of the tourist center, though).
The area is also home to Kyrgyz and Tajik nomads, and you can see their yurts scattered along the lakeshore; meanwhile, camels and yaks dot the landscape, making the whole scene look like it came straight out of a documentary.
Like most other places in the area, if you are into photography, I recommend flying a drone since it will dramatically change the perspective and will allow you to capture some amazing images. Don’t forget to register it before coming to China.
Muztagh Glacier (慕士塔格冰川)
The locals call it the “Father of the Ice Mountains,” and it’s not difficult to understand why. With its 7,546 meters, this massive peak in the Chinese Pamirs is visible from pretty much every place around. Its round shape is covered by an immense glacier system that it’s possible to visit, well, at least a small part of it. There’s a tourist center around Glacier 4 (四号冰川) with the usual buses taking people all the way to the foot of the ice.
There are other wilder areas, such as Glacier 2 (二号冰川), which are actually more beautiful, but they are currently closed. It was possible to access them with a 4WD car, but it seems like the police cracked down on that business, and now you are pretty much forced to stick to Glacier 4.
Wakhan Corridor (瓦罕走廊)
The Wakhan Corridor is a thin, mountainous strip of land in the Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan. It’s an important historical route that connects Afghanistan to China, while also serving as a narrow buffer zone separating Tajikistan from Pakistan. It was created during the 19th-century “Great Game” between the British and Russian empires.
Today, it’s considered a relatively safe and isolated travel destination, particularly when accessed from the Tajikistan side. Currently, it’s not possible to cross the Afghanistan-China border, but things might change in the future. You can drive the car near the corridor and enjoy the landscape and catch a glimpse of rural life in this remote area.
These mountains are also rich in wildlife, and I’m sure they have a lot of potential for wildlife photography.
Panlong Ancient Road (盘龙古道)
Also known as the Pamir Plateau Ancient Road, this scenic road is located near Tashkurgan. The road climbs over 30 kilometers through steep slopes and barren mountain scenery, with more than 600 sharp turns. It connects the valleys to the high-altitude plateau and was once a vital passage for locals and traders. Today, it attracts tourists who come for the amazing aerial views and the experience of driving one of China’s most winding roads. Remember that it’s now a one-way road and you can only drive down from the top of the mountain and not the other way around.
There are quite a few panoramic viewpoints on the road where you can stop for a while and take some pictures.
Bandier Blue Lake (班迪尔蓝湖)
This spectacular, small, striking blue lake is situated near the Panlong Ancient Road. As part of the Tashkurgan River system, the lake gets its vivid color from mineral deposits in the water. It’s an easy, quick stop on your drive, and you won’t find many tourists, especially if you avoid the scenic viewpoints. It’s perfect for photography as it offers a contrast to the stark gray mountains that surround it. What makes this lake unique is not its size but the incredible deep blue color.
Taheman Grasslands (塔合曼)
Also known as Taheman Wetland, this lush grassland really stands out after driving through so much rugged, rocky terrain. The area is known for its wide-open landscape, where the Taheman River winds through a green valley, all framed by towering, snow-capped mountains. There’s a wooden boardwalk for easy exploration, but as always, you’ll get the best view from a drone.
Final thoughts
I only visited the most famous places along this incredible area. I’m sure there is much more to see and to explore, and I hope to have the chance to go back one day, but what I saw is absolutely stunning and well worth the trip, and I don’t say this lightly.
What makes this area incredible is the cultural melting pot, thanks to its proximity to Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The landscapes are some of the best I’ve seen in China, and for now, it’s not as crowded as other parts of the country. The main drawbacks are the bureaucracy to get the permit and the many checkpoints you’ll have to pass. The other main issue for some people will be the cost, since you’ll need a driver to explore this highway, but this is the price you have to pay pretty much all over China if you want to avoid or at least reduce the crowds.
If you are planning to continue your Xinjiang trip, check out my Turpan travel guide.
As always, don’t forget to get a VPN before traveling to China. I recommend this one. If you prefer an eSim, this is a great option. Finally, don’t forget to get a good travel insurance such as this one.
If you enjoyed this guide and want to explore something similar but with much more culture, then don’t miss this road trip across the Qinghai Province. Here you can find my travel guide to Hemu, another beautiful but very touristy area in Northern Xinjiang. Here you can find some more pictures I took during the trip.
