Wednesday, May 11, 2016

SAWAT VALLY Mini Switzerland of Pakistan (Paradise On Earth)




Swat is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan. Swat, the 

land of romance and beauty, is celebrated throughout the


world as the holy land of Buddhist learning and piety. Swat


acquired fame as a place of Buddhist pilgrimage.

Buddhist tradition holds that the Buddha himself came to Swat during his last reincarnation as the Guatama Buddha and preached to the people here. It is said that the Swat was filled with fourteen hundred imposing and beautiful stupas and monasteries, which housed as many as 6,000 gold images of the Buddhist pantheon for worship and education. There are now more than 400 Buddhist sites covering and area of 160 Km in Swat valley only. Among the important Buddhist excavation in swat an important one is Butkarha-I, containing the original relics of the Buddha. 


The lush-green valley of Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-

cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards and flower-decked slopes is 

ideal for holidaymakers. It has a rich historical past, too. This

 is "Udayana" (The Garden) of the ancient epics; the land of 

enthralling beauty, where Alexander of Macedonia fought and

 won some of his major battles before crossing over to the 

delta of Indus River. This is the "valley of hanging chairs", as

 described by the famous Chinese pilgrim-chroniclers, Huaen

 Tsang and Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth centuries. Swat was 

once the cradle of Buddhism of all of its schools – Mahayana,

 Hinayana and Tantrayana, where once 1,400 monasteries 

flourished. It was the home of the famous Gandhara School 

of Sculpture that was an expression of Greco-Roman form in

 the local Buddhist tradition.

WHAT TO SEE IN SWAT?

Saidu Sharif, Mingora & Murghzar: Headquarters of Swat Valley, Saidu Sharif houses the Swat Museum that contains one of the finest collections of Gandhara art in the world. Mingora, the twin city of Saidu Sharif, has yielded magnificent pieces of Buddhist sculpture and the ruins of great stupas. Marghazar, 16 km from Saidu Sharif, is famous for its “Sufed Mahal” the white marble palace of the former Wali (Ruler) of Swat. Kabal is 6 km from Saidu Sharif with its excellent golf course.

Malam Jabba
At 2,636 m above sea level, Malam Jabba Ski Resort stands on top of a mountain of the Hindukush range, north east of Saidu Sharif. It is 314 km from Islamabad and 51 km from Saidu Sharif. After driving for 10 kms on Saidu Sharif-Kalam road, turn right from Manglor for Malam Jabba. Amidst its natural beauty and imprints of Gandhara civilization, lie the modern tourist facilities of a 52 rooms motel, 2 skiing platforms, chairlifts, roller/ice skating rinks, restaurant, telephone and snow clearing equipment etc. The food, lodging and skiing facilities are all managed by foreign trained staff and offered at competitive prices. The summer temperatures of 10oC to 25oC give way to lush green meadows and thick green forests of Pine & Deodar trees. In the winter when the temperature falls to –5oC to –10oC, the angel white snow makes it an ideal place for skiing.

Around Swat
Miandam: At 1,830 m above sea level, Miandam Valley is 50 km from Saidu Sharif and recommended for those looking for a peaceful place full of fragrance and scenic beauty.

Madyan & Bahrain: Both the towns are a good stop-over while travelling from Saidu Sharif to Kalam. Madyan is famous for its trout hatcheries and Bahrain for its meeting of two rivers and its handicrafts.

Kalam: The most popular tourist spot in Swat Valley (2,073 m) is 100 km away from Saidu Sharif. In addition to PTDC’s seasonal coach service, there is a regular private bus and van service between Mingora and Kalam.

Ushu, Matiltan and Mahodand Lake: This is the most spectacular area of upper Swat Valley. While staying overnight at Kalam, you can enjoy a day trip by jeep to these beautiful tourist spots. Distance is just 13-16 km from Kalam.

Utrot-Gabral: Another scenic valley of upper Swat, located 21-29 km from Kalam. The road is jeepable and jeeps can be hired from Kalam. A day trip with picnic lunch is recommended.



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