Take the wildest road See the wildest scenery - autumn tour of Pakistan
An autumn trip to Pakistan allowed the author to experience the mountains, turquoise lakes, snowy valleys, forest fields in the mountains of Kashmir... There are treacherous cliffs and tranquil hideaways.
The Hosseini Suspension Bridge in the Hunza region, across a large river.
However, this road up the mountain is also too "wild", with cliffs on one side and deep ravines on the other; Some sections of the road allow only one car, but they are two-way streets. The road surface is covered with gravel, the vehicle is very bumpy when it advances, and at sharp turns, it is even more thrilling! You must always firmly grasp the thin steel structure of the car, and you must not let go for a moment. By the time the jeep drove to the "destination", we were exhausted by torture! However, the good show is still to come, and the next section of more than ten kilometers of road is more "wild", the width of the road surface is narrowed, and cars cannot travel, only on foot or on horseback. The horse is really too incomprehensible, and from time to time the horse's hooves are stepped on the edge of the cliff impartially, which makes us on the horse tremble, although wearing a down jacket, cold sweat is still direct!
Autumn in the mountains of northern Pakistan is full of pristine scenery.
The mountainous region of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir is the tourist destination this time. (Courtesy of Wang Hua Er)
Stay at Hunza Serena lnn Hotel at night and find the majestic snow-capped mountains in front of you at dawn. There are also many apple trees planted in the garden in the area, and the fruits are abundant, and the red apples and green apples full of trees can be sent directly to your mouth as long as you reach out and wipe the apples on your clothes. Wow, the pulp is juicy and crisp and sweet, fresh and delicious, and the green apples are slightly sweet and sour, which I prefer. Picking apples from trees with your own hands is the first time in your life!
The Buddhist historical relics in the temple are very valuable. This is one of the few remaining intact Buddha statues.
Leave Gubis and make the long trek to reach Skardu late at night. Surrounded by the Skadu Mountains, it is a small town in the Indus Valley in the valley formed between the Himalayas and the Karakoram Mountains; Home to four of the world's 14 mountain ranges of 8,000 meters and above, it is a paradise for explorers and mountaineers alike.
As soon as you step onto the Hussaini Bridge, considered the most thrilling in the world, a feeling of unease arises. It spans a large river, the length of the bridge, coupled with its disrepair, the original spacing of the already large running board, is not very strong. Staggering around on the suspension bridge, saying that no one will believe it, everyone is deeply afraid that a mistake will become a hatred for eternity! There are also three group members who walked back and forth on the suspension bridge twice, which is really daring!
The windows of the hotel room, filled with great views.
We reluctantly left Wonderland Meadow.
Hunza – Pakistan's "Shangri-La"
After dinner, head to Islamabad International Airport. "Take the wildest road and see the wildest scenery" comes to an end. Pakistan remains in our memories with a deep and unforgettable impression – majestic pristine scenery and friendly people. Goodbye, Pakistan! Looking forward to seeing you again!
Looking down from the castle, the river resembles a jade ribbon, adding color and charm to the castle.
The guide led us to visit an old village chief, who is 78 years old and in good health. In his vast estate, we were warmly welcomed with plates of fruit. We also took photos with villagers and children.
Wonderland Meadow – "Earth Paradise"
The snow-capped mountains are reflected in the turquoise water, which is delightful.
Attabad Lake in the Hunza region has a long and narrow lake body and turquoise water. However, behind the calm and clear waters of the lake, there is a sad story hidden. In 2010, a sudden landslide blocked the river, which later formed a dammed lake, Lake Atabad. A small village here was completely submerged due to natural disasters!
In addition to its beautiful scenery, the Hunza Valley also contains a rich historical and cultural heritage. We visited the famous Altit Fort and Baltit Fort, both former Hunza palaces and built on the highest part of the two hills, with sweeping views of the river valley and manor below.
The return journey is the same "wild" road, fortunately, the appropriate ability of the person is strong, one is born, the second is ripe, this time it is no longer so frightening. Experiencing what it means to walk the wildest road and see the wildest scenery can be said to be the most exciting experience in life, and it is also an unforgettable experience!
Ancient castles and temples – unveiling history
Our hotel, Khapulu Palace, is special, a 200-year-old building and one of the attractions that travelers visit. The hotel not only has a unique architectural style, but also has a distinctive interior decoration, and the view from the Palace Hotel is full of surprises!
Three years ago, an autumn trip to Pakistan was the last outing before the pandemic. Those two weeks of extraordinary tourism, encountered dream-like pristine natural scenery and simple and kind Pakistani people, touching and unforgettable!
The Passu Valley and Hopar Valley are a wonderland on earth, full of golden vegetation, nature, harmony and brilliant autumn scenery. The scenery is currently dazzling, dizzying, and unwilling to leave for a long time.
Fortunately, it cleared early the next morning. At an altitude of 8,126 meters, the majestic Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest peak in the world, is clearly in sight! Oh my God, this natural landscape is too wild!
Finally arrived at the Peak Hotel at an altitude of 3,287 meters, there was snow flying outside, and within a moment, snow had covered the entire hotel. Autumn Pakistan suddenly turns into winter! Singaporeans love snow and dance in the snow with excitement! It was a very cold night and we spent Christmas here early.
The snow-capped peaks of Wonderland Meadows are so beautiful in the world of ice and snow.
Leave Hunza for another city, Gupis. Located in the heart of the Hindu Kush Mountains, the Gubis Valley is a beautiful landscape with turquoise rivers and golden forests and fields.
Unforgettable Pakistan – looking forward to seeing you again
Scaddu – Explorer's Paradise
Pendra Valley – Guest at the home of the old village chief
Located about 50 kilometers northwest of Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, Taxila is a famous ancient city with a history of 2,500 years and Buddhist remains dating back more than 2,000 years. We visited the Jualian Monastery, a Buddhist stupa and lodge excavated in 1916 and listed as a World Heritage Site. In Pakistan, where Islam is a religion, these remaining Buddhist cultural and historical sites are extremely precious.
Transfer from Thailand to Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. It was originally planned to drive 390 kilometers north in 13 hours along the Karakoram Highway to the small town of Chilas. The guide suggested that if you take the Babusar Pass, which winds around the mountains to the pass (narrow pass) at an altitude of 4,000 meters, you can save three hours of travel. But in autumn roads are sometimes closed due to snowfall; Confirming that the road is currently passable, the guide decided to choose this route. Along the way, the bus shuttles between the mountains, with rolling hills and spectacular scenery. At nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, the summit is covered in snow.
During the trip, we saw smiling, simple and kind faces. In the mountains of Kashmir in northern Pakistan, mountains, waters, and nature have cultivated open-minded, optimistic, peaceful and kind people. Education is quite widespread here, and it is common in the mountains to see students wearing neat school uniforms. According to custom, adult women rarely show their faces, let alone let travelers take pictures at will. Kind and open-minded Pakistani people, I wish you a better life every day.
The Hunza Valley is a mountainous area in Kashmir at an altitude of more than 2,400 meters, located at the confluence of three mountains and two rivers. The three mountains refer to the three major mountain ranges of the world of Karakoram, Hindu Kush and Himalayas, while the two rivers are the Indus River and the Gilgit River. Extending from the Pamir Plateau is the Wakhan Corridor (also known as the Afghan Corridor), but I didn't expect us to be so close to war-torn Afghanistan! The Hunza valley is a picturesque setting with its steep terrain, glaciers, snow-capped mountains and golden autumn leaves. As people live in an idyllic paradise, Hunza is known as the "Shangri-La of Pakistan".
In Skadu, we visited the Khaplu Valley, the Shigar Valley, stopped at the Shyok River, and headed to a very beautiful "cold desert". Jeeps marched into the "cold desert". The scenery here is not "cold"! We also danced with the cute flock.
Fort Altit is one of the oldest buildings in Hunza and stands in front of the Karakoram Mountains for more than a thousand years. The castle is said to have been designed by a Tibetan architect and has survived earthquakes. The castle is small, but it has all the facilities, including meeting rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and even a prison for offenders. The decoration and intricate carvings inside the castle leave traces of early Buddhist culture. Behind the castle, you can see the houses made of stone, and from top to bottom, you can clearly see the activities of the residents and hear their laughter, which makes people deeply feel the simple, harmonious and happy life of the residents.
The next day to Fairy Meadows, the itinerary is very thrilling, to borrow the words of the tour leader: "Take the wildest road, see the wildest scenery". Wonderland Meadow, known as "Paradise on Earth", the fresh air, vegetation, meadows and scenery are amazing! Transform into a four-wheel-drive jeep for four people and gallop happily along the Wonderland Meadow Highway.
Originally, the return trip was to enter the capital Islamabad to visit, but it coincided with political demonstrations and the passage had been closed. We transferred to Taxila to the airport. On the way, take a speedboat tour of Khanpur Lake, and at the end, take a cheerful tour of the unique "float" culture. The front of the body is color-loaded, even the wheels. According to the tour guide, some decorations cost as much as $30,000 (about S$40,000), which is staggering! But for the owners, this is their pride and glory.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao