Sost

Sost is the last town in Gojal, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan at the distance of 184 km from main Gilgit city on Karakoram Highway before China Border at Khunjerab Pass. It is the last town at an elevation of 2,800 meters inside Pakistan on the Karakoram Highway before the Chinese border. It is also a small market and Dry Port for the cargo coming from China, so custom departments and immigration offices are also located in this town.

Registered yourself at Sost Check Post

Inside the main town, the local administration and police checkpoints are used to register incoming tourists with their personal details, CNIC, and vehicle documentation. Town is equipped with highly affordable hotels and restaurants to have a night stay over there. Walk through the main bazaar to explore the local markets filled with Chinese stocks. Here, one can purchase all of the required snacks, water bottles, and specialized altitude-sickness remedies.

ATM Facilities in Sost

Sost is the last town, where one can use ATMs withdraw required cash money. But the availability of these ATMs are depended upon the power supply. Due to frequent power outages, there is a risk of using ATMs there, therefore, be sure to use ATMs in Aliabad or Karimabad. One can also exchange local currency with the Chinese currency, if entering China.

China Border Crossing through Sost

To enter China, one must have valid Visa on passport. There is no on-port Visa facility, so it has been issued by the Chinese Embassy. To cross the border from Pakistan, NATCO buses available at the central departure terminal from Sost to Tashkurgan and Kashgar in China. It is required to book the international bus tickets at least a day before from the local Sost bazaar offices. One must ensure to get processing of the travel documents and Chinese visa before that.

Last Fuel Station at Sost

Sost host the last standard petrol pumps on the highway. So, get the opportunity to refuel your vehicle before starting our next high-altitude 170 km long roundtrip to the Khunjerab Pass. One must perform a quick check on your engine cooling system and brake fluid before drive into the high-altitude canyon walls of the Khunjerab National Park.

Limited Communication Signals in Sost

In Sost as well as other major towns in the Upper Hunza, SCO, Special Communications Organization, is only network that provides cellular signal for mobile calls and data package for internet. Other SIMs such as Jazz, Ufone, and Zong are not working in these areas. These signals also becomes week in deep valleys or high-altitude rugged mountainous areas such as Khunjerab Pass.

In winter due to heavy snow, border crossing between China and Pakistan through Khunjerab Pass remains block.

Want to get peaceful overnight stay by avoiding the heavy truck noise in the dry port bazaar, consider booking your overnight stay in our Passu Cones Travel Guide.

About Gojal Upper Hunza

Gojal is the largest city in Baltistan next to Hunza, having a border with China and Afghanistan. It connects with China through the Khunjerab Pass and with Afghanistan through the Chapursan Valley. Gojal, also known as Upper Hunza, is the highest mountains area in the Karakoram and Pamir mountain ranges, at an average elevation of 4,000 meters.