Swat Valley

Swat Valley - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The magnificent Swat Valley, popularly called as Switzerland of Pakistan, is situated north of Peshawar. In ancient times it remained center of then flourishing Buddhist civilization, still having its marks found at various places. Its old name was Udyana that means the land of gardens. The archeological sites and monasteries dating back to Buddhist era add to its historical charm. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Swat Valley is full of screaming rivers, lush green forests and snow-covered peaks adding to its natural attraction. Green fruit orchards, beautiful lakes, gushing streams and a fascinating landscape make it a place worth seeing.  Buddhist Stupas Just 7 km from Landakai, a road goes towards Nimogram, which is further at a distance of 21 km. Nimogram is famous for its monastery on the top of a hill overlooking the whole area. Three main stupas with several other ones are also found here. These archeological sites revive the Buddhist period of this place. These structures have been built with dress stones, a mastery by the old artisans. They resemble Andan Dhery monastery situated in Dir district. Shankardar Stupa This Buddhist stupa, just three km from Barikot, unfolds its attractive glimpses on the right side of the road. It was approximately built between the third and the fourth centuries AD, perhaps being the only relic with its original dome still intact. On the right side of the road, nearly one and half kilometer from the stupa, large figures of Buddha carved on a rock revive memories of that once glorious period of Buddhism in this region. Mingora Mingora being lifeline of trade and business activity is the main central city of Swat valley adjacent to Saidu Sharif. It offers food outlets, restaurants and hotels. Locally produced items beautifully displayed at its main bazaar, shops, show rooms etc. include semi precious stones, embroidered dresses, hand woven ladies shawls, bed sheets and woodwork. Traditional ornaments and antiques are available at shops. Visitors on trips to Swat valley usually stroll its bazaars for shopping at the end of their journey. You can find emerald mines in hills northward of the town, famous worldwide for their expensive and valuable emeralds. Saidu Sharif Being capital city of picturesque Swat valley, Saidu Sharif is the principal seat of administration for looking after and managing regional government affairs. Several colleges, schools, government offices are situated here. A museum reflecting Buddhist era history, the tomb of Akhund of Swat are sited here along with archeological sites of Butkara Buddhist stupa. Saidu Sharif has a small airport from which air service is regularly operating connecting it with Peshawar and Islamabad.  Swat Museum This museum full of Swat’s old heritage is situated between Mingora and Saidu Sharif.Gandhara Buddhist artifacts, antiques and similar articles are beautifully showcased telling the tale of once glorious era. Ancient life of this region is portrayed in shape of samples of local embroidery, jewelry, and carved wooden articles. The museum is closed on Wednesdays.  Marghzar About 13 km from Saidu Sharif, is sited the serene small town of Marghzar at the foot of Mount llam. Its White Marble Palace, built by ruler of Swat in the early 1940s, adds to the grandeur of this peaceful town. The palace has now been converted into a top class hotel with excellent lodging and boarding facilities. While journeying towards Swat, you can see a road turning towards Islampur, a small village famous for its medicinal plants. Wildlife is found in its forest.  Malam-Jaba A trip to Swat is incomplete without seeing Malam- Jaba, about 44 km from Mingora, a modern hill resort with surrounding mountains raising its natural attraction and beautiful landscape. Both outdoor and indoor recreation facilities are available. It is a newly developed resort having a four star hotel and chairlift. During peak summer, it is flocked by visitors taking respite from mid summer scorching heat in plains. A hotel complex with a mini golf course and a ski run provide good entertainment. At a height of about 2743 m above sea level, Malam-Jaba offers beautiful landscape of mountain peaks full of snow, green valleys and sprawling forests refreshing minds in a cool and more serene atmosphere generously gifted by nature. Miandam Encircled by mountains the picturesque tourist resort of Miandam is at a distance of about 57 km from Saidu Sharif. Surrounding mountains during the summer do not allow the sun to cast its shadows on this attractive resort making it the coolest place. A PTDC motel, few hotels and official guest houses keep this beautiful place alive in summer seasons. It provides a refreshing view of large forests, fruit orchards and flowing streams. Madyan Situated on the banks of surging Swat river, Madyan (1312 m above sea level) is at a distance of 57 km from Saidu Sharif. Its riverside location and cool climate make it an attractive spot with rows of shops, hotels and restaurants queued along the road. A trout hatchery adds to its fascination. Local handicrafts, embroidery and antiques are displayed at roadside shops.You can make a trip to nearby valleys from here.  Bahrain This riverside small town, at a distance of 66 km from Saidu sharif and just 10 km from Madyan, is most frequently visited resort because of its location on the road leading to other beautiful resorts. A humming bazaar with shops, eateries and hotels make it a popular place. Household traditional decoration items are available at shops. Architectural beauty is fully evident in wood-made pillars and fixtures of mosques and buildings arousing interest of visitors. Nearby valleys full of lushgreen thick jungles offer hiking on narrow mountainous paths. Kalam Being home town of Kohistani inhabitants, Kalam is like an earthly paradise in Swat Valley. Located at a distance of 40 km from Bahrain, Kalam is the main town of this region presenting one of the most panoramic natural beauty. The people known as Kohistanis are its original inhabitants proud of their own language and still unchanged traditions.A fascinating view of 6471m Falaksair Peak with its melting snow even during summers from Matiltan (3000m) is ecstatic. The journey is incomplete without seeing and going to Mahodand, a famous lake, about 23 km beyond Matiltan. The picturesque Kalam provides road access to reach magnificent valleys of Ushu (2286m), Utrot (2225m) and Gabral (2286m) above sea level, where journey through green forests and beautiful view of landscape is mesmerizing. Rivers and lakes at Kalam offer good trout fishing after getting permits obtainable from the Fisheries Department.  Lake Mahodand At a distance of 35 km from Kalam, Lake Mahodand is a natural lake charm -wise the most attractive all over Swat region. A metalled road leads to this treasure of natural beauty and onward is a jeep track treacherously running along the edges of exceptionally green waters of swat river. The overall view is magical. Trout fishing in the lake is a favorite pastime. Famous Lakes Of Swat Valley Swat valley has several other natural lakes of which Kundol Dand, Khapero Dand, Dara Dand and Bisigram are the famous ones. Climate The best season to visit Swat is from March till October amidst pleasant weather. It is the time when the valley wakes up for tourists gracefully welcoming them amidst its magnificent mountains, meadows, forests and streams providing them perfect retreat. Languages Pashto and Kohistani are the commonly spoken local languages, while Urdu and English are also spoken by the people. Shopping Decorative household articles and colorful embroidered items are trademark of Swat valley. Embroidered table cloth, ladies shawls, mats, handicrafts, caps, wood furniture, honey are the popular items. Swat’s is famous for its precious and semi precious stones particularly its emerald. How To Get There Linked with Peshawar, Islamabad and Rawalpindi by road, Swat can be reached from all these three main cities. Its distance from Peshawar is 151 km. The distance from Rawalpindi via Nowshera-Mardan and Malakand Pass is 270 km. It can be reached by road from Gilgit via Besham, the main town located on Karakoram Highway passing through mighty Himalayan mountains. Map