Oh yeah forgot to mention this…
The KKH route would take you at most two or three days to pass in good weather. Can’t say how long it will take if there is a lot of snow though. Best time to go is around May/June but Allah knows bests becuase a storm could come anytime.
The KKH and Chinese controlled Jingxiang district are quite safe. Not near as dangerous as kybher district Adam Khel in Afghan border area… however there is always been some political tension between Han Chinese and our Ougyur Turkic Muslim brothers of Jingxiang. Try to ovoid making any political or religious tensions (i know you aint there to go jihad against the Han but be carefull anyway becuase some Chinese border guards can be a bit iffy, most of them like Pakistani’s though becuase i didn’t have any trouble.) If you wanna visit any particual areas be sure to check out the city of Kashgar in Jingxiang province becuase it has a famous market area and is home to a famous Sufi Shrine as well. The road is actually better on the Chinese side albeit a bit dusty during summer. Most of the peolpe are really welcoming too. Take the road from Kashgar south to the Khunjerab pass.
There you will enter the most beautifull landscape in Pakistan for on this side we have a national park which is among the best in the world on a plateu which is second highest in the world after Tibet.
The KKH road from kashgar to Khunjerab can be completed in a days drive but if you wanna sightsee then make sure you give yourself two or three days to get everything checked out!
Among the best sites are the Market in Kashgar, and the nearby Kashgar fortress (it’s a bit ruined today but it’s still worth a visit) You can also visit the mountain of Murtzah Attah which is 4000 meters high or more but is a relatively easy climb, good for ski-ing if you want.
There is also an old library in Kashgar which will have as well as books, all sorts of potions and perfumes.I know the man who runs it so if you ask there you may find cheaper boarding or at least some decent local advice, it’s the best place to get maps too. It’s in the centre of Kashgar beheind the old city Masjid, which has a museum next to it as well though there isn’t many exhibits to see there.
Do be aware however of criminals in this region, kidnapping is common there so don’t relax too much and keep aware. Kashgar is not that far south from the Taklamakhan desert but don’t go that way brother even if someone paid you to go becuase the desert is, waht can i say, beautifull but also very dangerous becuase here you are furthest from any ocean on earth and it’s sand dunes are the tallest in the world so not good for 4x4’s.
Stick to the main roads. If you follow the old soviet block countries to highways through Uzbekistan you can then hit Jingxiang and head through the Khunjerab pass to Pakistan. If you want you can skip Uzbekistan and try slide through China becuase it’s safer than Uzbekistan where American forces have more influence. At least in China you can avoid being treated with the hostility that Uzbeks show to Pakistani’s by coursing through the northern territories into Jingxiang.
From Jingxian to khunjerab you’ve got the easy bit. it’s the rest of the KKH you sould be worried about becuase until you reach Hazara area you will be vulnerable to the dacoits of Pakistan who are worse than the those in China.
Don’t let your guard down till your clear of Hazara becuase as we say in Urdu you cant trust the “Elaka Ghair” Strange territory.
From Rawalpindi to Karachi you i hope will naturally find the going easier but still be alert brother my Uncle was robbed in Karachi and he had fought all over the world as a soldier and never once got hurt until some chor ka bacha robbed him in Karachi, his wallet was gone before he could think!
As for warzones… don’t stray from the main roads brother, in this day and age everywhere is a warzone!
Inshallah one day Insh-Allah i will walk this route. If i leave myself enough time.
Take care have fun. Brother i’m so jealous i cant go with you on this one becuase it does sound like a lot of fun indeed.
Let me know how things go brother, who’s to say we can’t meet up a later time and go again!
Have a nice trip, May Allah bless you.
P.S: I’m not an expert.
Make double sure becuase the distances depend on how good your car is and if they have had any changes since i last went. Some things have been going on over there between the Han and Muslims and while it’s not that bad it could be worse than i think (Allah Forbid!).
Also the roads can change dramatically becuase of the mountianous area. Check exactly how much you have to go and try and carry a little spare feul in case you have to detour for whatever reason.
In this region try not to buy any jewellry, i admit gold, diamonds and rubies are aplenty but you could become targets for thieves or get conned by fakers. I know for a fact that there are loads of peddlars on the route, don’t pay any heed to them just act like a native. Fell free to give money to fakirs and beggars but if any “merchants/peddlars” come to you they are probably not what they claim to be.
Look up some maps too and be sure to keep cool wherever you go brother.:halo: