Tourism Potential of Hazara Region A Presentation By Mr.Allah Dad Khan

Hazara Region

he region of Hazara is like a door to heaven, opening up to visitors a world replete with natural beauty. It was a favourite gateway from the plains into Kashmir during Mughal, Durrani and Sikh rules. It is a large area some 10,000 sq. km. The world famous Karakoram Highway starts from Havelian, a town in this region at a distance of 101 km from Islamabad. The mighty "Lion River" Indus or Abasin flows through the entire length of Hazara. It is strategically located between the Northern Areas, Azad Kashmir, Punjab and the rest of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hill stations collectively known as the Gallis and the Kaghan valley are the best known parts of Hazara. Pakistani and foreign tourists throng its cool and serene valleys during sizzling summer.

Located at 81 km from Islamabad on Hasan Abdal-Abbottabad road, Haripur was founded in 1822 by Hari Singh, a general of Ranjit Singh's army. He was the Governor of Hazara in 1822-23. A fort built by the Sikhs called Harikishan Garh is at present being used as a police station. There is also a British cemetery.

Haripur

Haripur University

Abbottabad is named after its founder James Abbot, Hazara's first British Deputy Commissioner. It is at a distance of 121 km from Islamabad via Hasan Abdal. It is 1220 meters above sea level and is situated at the crossroads of most of the areas of tourist interest in Pakistan like Nathiagali, Murree, Thandiani, Kaghan valley, Swat valley, Skardu, Gilgit and Khunjrab. Taxila, one of the most important archaeological treasures of the subcontinent is not very far from here. There are two hills towering above Abbottabad, Shimla Peak and Sarban Peak. There are very fine panoramic views of the town and its surroundings from Shimla Peak. The famous Pakistan Military Academy is on the hill to the north-east side of the town. Shimla Park located on a nearby hill with a pine forest is well worth a visit. Abbottabad has still a very British air with its European style bungalows, the club, the church and the cemetery.

Abbottabad

Thandiani means "cold" in the local language. Therefore being a cool place it got the name of "Thandiani". It is 2700 meters above sea level on a small plateau surrounded by pine forests. This beautiful spot can easily be approached from Abbottabad, which is 24 km away. It is totally unspoiled and has the loveliest of views of all the hill stations of Pakistan. The scenery here is breathtaking and superb.

THANDIANI

Nathiagali clad in pine, walnut, oak and maple trees, is the prettiest hill resort in the Galiyat region. It can be approached both from Murree and Abbottabad. It is 34 km from Abbottabad as well as from Murree. Nathiagali is 2501 meters above sea level and is surrounded by lush green lofty mountains. The British tried to create a little England here with its small timbered churches, parks, bungalows and the Governor's House. Breathtaking landscapes, spring water and fresh air make it one of the most peaceful hill stations in Pakistan.

NATHIAGALI

GOVERNOR HOUSE NATHIAGALI

SNOW FALL NATHIAGALI

This beautiful tourist resort is situated on the slopes of Mukshpuri Hills. The hills are wooded and present a beautiful view. Behind.Dungagali stands Mukshpuri, one of the highest peaks in the area (2800 m).

Mukshpuri Hills

A cluster of four small hill stations of Khanaspur, Khairagali, Changlagali and Ghora Dhaka is called Ayubia and was named after President Ayub Khan who belonged to Haripur district of Hazara. The complex is spread over an area of 26 km. The central place of Ghora Dhaka has a chairlift, which gives a panoramic and mesmerizing view of the surroundings.

AYUBIA

AYUBIA

AYUBIA

Mansehra is named after Man Singh, its Governor General under Ranjit Singh. This town is at a distance of 24 km to the north of Abbottabad. It has a very lively bazaar. The major tourist attraction of Mansehra are the three granite boulders on which edicts of Ashoka the Great have been inscribed. This great Mauryan king ruled this area in the 3rd century BC. After his conversion to Buddhism he tried to dictate a new morality based on piety, moderation, tolerance and respect for life.

MANSEHRA

Out of the numerous beautiful valleys of Hazara, Kaghan is the most attractive of all. A holiday retreat with alluring scenic beauty, the Kaghan valley is about 160 km long and between two to four thousand meters above sea level at various places. Towering peaks of Himalayan Range, glaciers, water falls and crystal clear water of the lakes are still in a pristine state and make the valley an unspoiled paradise. Kunhar river with plenty of trout fish flows through the valley and has the villages of Balakot, Kaghan, Naran on its banks. The nomads take their flocks of cattle to the high pastures of the Kaghan valley in spring and bring them down again in autumn. Their women are colourfully dressed.

KAGHAN VALLEY

Lake Safe-ul-Malook

Shogran, one of, the most beautiful plateaus in the whole area is situated at a distance of 33 km from Balakot via Kawai. From there a jeep track leads to this tranquil summer retreat of superb climate and spectacular views. The air is impregnated with the scent of flowers and the pine forest around. It is at an altitude of 2326 m and mighty peaks of Himalayan Ranges such as Musa ka Masalla (4419 m) and Malika Parbat (5290 m) are visible from here.

SHOGRAN

SHOGRAN

MALKANDI KAGHAN

BATAKUNDI

SHOGRAN

About 86 km from Balakot lies Naran, the main attraction of the Kaghan valley. This town is situated on the banks of Kunhar river at an altitude of 2498 m at a point where the valley widens. The river is wider and quieter here. There is a very good view downstream, with some tree-covered islands in the foreground. It is a starting point for lake Salful Muluk, Battakundi, Lalazar Plateau, lake Lulusar and Babusar Pass. Outstanding attraction of Naran is its air of peace and serenity.

NARAN

Balakot is the gateway to Kaghan valley. Balakot itself is 72 km from Abbottabad. This beautiful small town is located on the banks of Kunhar river. Journey from Abbottabad to Balakot is a charming experience. The road passes through beautiful green hills and thick forests. The views are spectacular especially between Attarshisha and Garhi Habibullah. A famous battle was fought here between the Sikh Army and Mujahideen in 1831. The Mujahideen leaders, Hazrat Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Hazrat Shah Ismail Shaheed lie buried here along with other martyrs.

BALAKOT

Babusar Pass is at a distance of 80 km from Naran. It is on the way to the pass that the Kaghan valley's scenery becomes most dramatic. Battakundi is at a distance of 16 km from Naran and provides access to Lalazar Plateau, lake Dodiputsar and lake Lulusar which is the biggest natural lake in Hazara and the source of Kunhar river. From Babusar Top mighty Nanga Parbat (8126 m) can be seen on a clear day.

BABUSAR PASS

It is situated at a distance of 10 km from Naran at an altitude of 3500 m. It provides an excellent view of the 5290 m high Malika Parbat (Queen of the Mountains). The lake and its surroundings have a touch of unreal about them and are breathtakingly lovely. There is a charming legend about a prince called Saiful Muluk who fell in love with a fairy of the lake. The lake is named after the prince. The best way to reach the lake is to walk but you may also take a pony or a jeep.

LAKE SAIFUL MULUK

ANSOO LAKE NARAN

SIRI PAYA MANSEHRA

BATTAGRAM HAZARA

BATTAGRAM HAZARA

BATTAGRAM HAZARA

BATTAGRAM HAZARA

BATTAGRAM HAZARA

HAZARA KOHISTAN

KOHISTAN

The District lies between 34° 54′ and 35° 52′ north latitudes and 72° 43′ and 73° 57′ east longitudes. It is bounded on the north and northeast by Ghizer and Diamer Districts of northern areas, on the southeast by Manshera District on the south by Battragram District and on the west by shangla and Swat Districts

PALAS VALLEY KOHISTAN