Khunjerab

Khunjerab Pass is a high mountain pass that forms part of the border between Pakistan and China. It lies in the Karakoram range in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan, near the boundary with China's Xinjiang region. With an elevation of about 4,693 meters (15,387 feet) above sea level, it is one of the highest paved international border crossings in the world. The pass is traversed by the Karakoram Highway, the main road link between Pakistan and China, and serves as a gateway for trade and tourism between the two countries.

Access to the pass is seasonal; heavy snow and winter conditions typically close the route for several months each year. In the summer months, vehicles can travel through the pass, weather permitting, with checkpoints on both sides.

The area around the pass includes Khunjerab National Park, a protected high-altitude ecosystem in the Karakoram mountain chain. The park protects habitats for several species adapted to extreme elevations, including snow leopards and Marco Polo sheep, and forms part of Pakistan's environmental conservation network.

Historically, the region has been part of trade routes linking Central Asia with South Asia. Today, Khunjerab is viewed as an important corridor for cross-border commerce and cultural exchange, while also attracting visitors for its alpine scenery and high-altitude landscapes.