Pakistan’s Hunza valley: Hidden paradise on Earth
Baku, October 12, AZERTAC
Hunza Valley, a beautiful mountainous valley in the northern part of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, is often referred to as a “paradise on Earth” enveloped in the grand Himalayas and the Karakoram mountain ranges.
According to Anadolu Agency, the turquoise-blue valley with stunning landscapes, glaciers on the hills, emerald-green, and the Hunza river flowing through mountains, is a fairy tale land that crowns Pakistan.
Situated at the north/west of the Hunza River the valley floor is at an elevation of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
The valley has different and breathtaking natural sights which are attractions for tourists.
Hunza Valley, which can be reached after a 13-hour drive from the capital Islamabad, is surrounded by numerous peaks including Rakaposhi 7,788 meters (25,551 ft.), Bojahagur Duanasir II 7,329 meters (24,045 ft.), Hunza Peak 6,270 meters (20,571 ft.) and Darmyani Peak 6,090 meters (19,980 ft.)
"Batura", the world's 5th largest glacier which is approximately 57 km long is also located in the upper Hunza region.
Besides its scenic beauty, tourists visit this valley to have a glimpse of the two most famous forts of Hunza known as Altit and Baltit fort.
The Altit Fort in the Altit village was built with great architectural design on a rock of a mountain where the Hunza River flows at its back.
The 800-year-old Baltit Fort, which was built at the top of Karimabad for the control of the Silk Road trade between South and Central Asia and the accommodation of the princes who ruled the valley, is another beautiful fort in the Hunza valley.
Attabad Lake located in the Gojal region of Hunza Valley which was born out of tragedy when a massive landslide occurred in 2010, doesn’t look real. Its bright-blue turquoise waters make it one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan.
The lake has attracted many tourists and provides many tourist activities including jet-skiing, fishing, and boating.
Haldeikish Rock carvings (Sacred rock) on the historical Silk Road route is located between Attabad Lake and Ganish village.
The Sacred Rocks of Hunza, one of the earliest sites of Petroglyphs, is a cultural heritage site in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The carvings on the rocks date back to the 1st Millennium.
The rock which has been under protection by the Pakistani authorities has kept a record of the commercial activity at this point of the Silk Road for 2,000 years.
It is possible to see a part of the historical Silk Road route, which can be seen as a thin line on the mountains while moving through various points of the valley.
Since the Karakoram highway was built, the Silk Road route has been a frequent destination for villagers or adventurers.
The people of Hunza called Hunzakuts, are known for their hospitality and friendliness.
Tourism is the most important source of income for the Hunza people. Every year, 1.5-2 million people, domestic and foreign, visit the region with a population of over 60 thousand.
For this reason, the town of Kerimabad, which is the center of the Hunza Valley, has many souvenir shops, food, clothes and travel agencies for tourists.
The literacy rate of the valley is 90%, with every child earning an education up to high school level and some of them pursue higher studies as well.
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