How did the Silk Road cross the Pamirs?

Between the 1st and 7th centuries CE, the Silk Road crossed the Pamirs via three distinct branches. These ancient caravan routes navigated the challenging high-mountain terrain to link China with the West.12

Historically, travelers such as the Venetian Marco Polo are believed to have traversed the Vākhān region as part of their journey to Cathay (China). In modern times, the legacy of these ancient paths persists through established infrastructure: a major route follows the old Karatikin Silk Road, running from Tajikistan through the Alai Valley and southern Kyrgyzstan toward China. Additionally, in the Chinese Pamirs, the Karakoram Highway serves as a modern extension that facilitates travel through the region's western mountain systems.13