China-Pakistan Friendship Highway lights up the Pamir night market

Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporters Yu Jiangyan and Ran Hu) news: At around 21:00 on September 28, 2026, the setting sun sank gently behind the Pamir Mountains, and the bustle of the plateau gradually faded. At the night market in the China–Pakistan border residents' mutual trade zone of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, lights flickered on one after another, spilling glow across the dark night.

Pakistani jewelry fills the market stalls. Clear crystals, smooth tourmalines, plus rubies, sapphires and emeralds with rich hues are neatly displayed, shimmering softly under the lights. Many tourists stop to lean over and browse.

"How much is this?" A tourist paused at a stall, picked up a ring to try on and asked for the price.

Though separated by language, transactions go smoothly. Instead of replying verbally, the Pakistani merchant tapped the calculator on his phone, and the number 200 popped up on the screen.

The tourist waved his hand with a smile, saying "NO! NO! NO!". He took the phone and typed in 100, starting to bargain.

Numbers flashed back and forth on the screen. Gestures replaced words. After several rounds of haggling, they finally settled on 120 yuan.

This lively bargaining scene unfolds every night at this night market.

A Pakistani merchant shows the price on his phone calculator at the night market in the China–Pakistan border residents' mutual trade zone of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on September 28, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yu Jiangyan)

Many Pakistani merchants who have just arrived cannot speak Chinese. They use mobile phones as bridges and hand gestures as words to close deals with visitors. Those who travel frequently between the two countries speak fluent Chinese and wrap up sales amid casual chats.

These transactions across language barriers and the dazzling array of exotic jewelry do not emerge out of thin air. Behind them lies a trade route crossing the Pamir Mountains that links China and Pakistan — the Karakoram Highway. People often affectionately call it the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. It is this sky road winding through mountain ranges that brings Pakistani merchants and their goods stage by stage to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, and to the modest stalls of the night market.

The highway builds a bond for trade connectivity for the night market, while the night market breathes vivid human warmth into this mountain road. In 2024, the Khunjerab Pass was upgraded from a seasonal port to a year-round port. More Pakistani merchants travel to Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County via the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway. To better serve foreign traders, Taxkorgan Town of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County set aside land to build the night market.

The night market opened on October 30, 2024, with merely seven Pakistani merchants at the beginning. As customs clearance becomes more convenient, merchants keep coming. In 2025, over 900 Pakistani traders came here. As of September 28 this year, the number has exceeded 1,400.

A merchant from Gilgit, Pakistan, identified as Sharbar Hussain, was among the first batch of vendors at the night market. He mainly sells jewelry and antiques and has brought his cousin to run a neighbouring stall. He said that he had done business in cities including Lanzhou, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai, but had ultimately chosen to settle in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County. Travelling home via the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway took only four to five hours, allowing him to return home the very same day in case of a family emergency.

A graduate from the University of the Punjab in Pakistan saw the potential of the border market and came specially to sell perfume at the night market, with a daily turnover of 400 to 500 yuan. He remarked that he was very satisfied there and that his income was higher than expected.

Photo shows a Pakistani merchant sells perfumes at the night market in the China–Pakistan border residents' mutual trade zone of Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashi Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on September 28, 2026. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yu Jiangyan)

Another merchant from Hunza, Pakistan, sells jewelry and cashmere scarves. As the weather turns cooler, more tourists come to buy scarves. He returns to his hometown roughly every two weeks, always bringing Chinese clothes and food back for his family on his way back.

Dilmurat Sawur, mayor of Taxkorgan Town, Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, introduced that the night market has 280 stalls in total, among which 240 are operated by Pakistani merchants and 40 are reserved for local entrepreneurs. It receives 2,000 to 3,000 visitors daily, and up to 4,000 to 5,000 during peak tourist seasons. Since the start of this year, it has welcomed 230,000 tourists from across the country, helping local residents increase their income by more than 900,000 yuan (about 133,600 U.S. dollars).

The bustling night market also serves as a stage for local young people to pursue their dreams. Twenty-year-old Gulnur Ziyal, after graduating and returning home, works at a homestay and sells handmade soap at the night market in the evenings.

"A happy life comes through hard work. I want to earn more money so my family can live a better life," the young girl shared her simple yet heartfelt wish.

To build the night market into a well-known attraction, Taxkorgan Town keeps improving management and services. Two staff members proficient in English and Urdu are on hand to assist merchants with communication and resolve operational issues in a timely manner. A cultural troupe from Taxkorgan Town puts on performances every day from 21:00 to 23:00 to enliven the plateau nightlife.

"Behind every Pakistani merchant is a family's livelihood. By delivering solid and meticulous services, the China-Pakistan friendship flowing along this plateau mountain road will endure and grow stronger," said Tursunbay Bahtibay, a staff member of the night market.

Beneath the vast night sky of the Pamirs, the mountain road stretches towards the stars. The local hustle and cross-border friendship are embedded in the mountains and valleys connected by the China-Pakistan Friendship Highway.

(A written permission shall be obtained for reprinting, excerpting, copying and mirroring of the contents published on this website. Unauthorized aforementioned act shall be deemed an infringement, of which the actor shall be held accountable under the law.)