At 4700 meters in the Pamirs is the border post between Pakistan and China, the highest international border crossing in the world. The Karakoram Highway is the road here, built at the cost of some thousands of lives over these lofty peaks. It is closed for around 6 months of the year as it is under snow and -40C. When open, it is surprisingly busy considering the sparsity of population in these vast and very elevated areas of both countries. It was early summer here, snowing lightly. The world’s highest ATM is also here, as a matter of interest. Lots of freight trucks pass through from Xinjiang in China.
The Chinese built this ghastly grey Imperial gateway. The first time I passed across here in 2000 there was only a bollard at this spot, with CHINA on one side and PAKISTAN on the other. No people, no buildings, no fences or gates….just marmots and a couple of yaks.
Hope your Friday is fabulous. May your weekend bring you pleasant things. ❤️