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TCKP | Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
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Swat Valley
The beautiful valley of Swat, popularly known as the Switzerland of the East is holiday-makers delight and a hallmark of magnificent scenic beauty and rich historical past.
With its roaring rivers, waterfalls, meandering streams, glacier fed lakes, pine forests, alpine meadows, snow covered peaks of Mankial and Flaksair, fruit laden orchards, lush green fields, flower filled mountain slopes and above all the friendly Swati people who are famous for their traditional hospitality, Swat is without doubt one of the most beautiful tourist destination in the northern valleys of Pakistan.
The Valley of Swat sprawls over 5,337 sq. kilometers. Summer temperature is maximum 22C and minimum 7 C. Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat and its twin city Mingora is the largest and oldest market town. Madyan, Baharin, Miandam, Kalam and Malam Jabba are its main tourist spots. The elevation ranges from 991 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level at Saidu Sharif to the top its highest mountain Flaksair which is 6,257 meters (20,528 feet) high.
History of Swat
Swat was described as “Udyana” (the garden) in ancient Hindu epics. Alexander the Great crossed Swat River with part of his army in 327BC. He fought and won some of his major battles at Barikot and Udegram and stormed their battlements, before crossing over the plains of the five rivers. In Greek accounts these towns have been identified as Ora and Bazira. After the death of Alexander the Great the Greeks quickly lost effective control of their far flung colonies and soon the northern part of the sub-continent situated west of the Indus which includes Swat was annexed by Chandra Gupta. From the second century BC to the ninth century AD, Swat was cradle of Buddhism where at one time more than 1400 monasteries flourished. The ringing of the bells in these places of worship used to create a strange mysterious impression all around the valley. During this time Swat became famous as the hub of Gandhara School of Sculpture which was an expression of Greco-Roman style mixed with the local Buddhist traditional sculpture. Today, ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat.
Swat is also the historical land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmood of Ghazni, Mughal king Babar and Akbar fought their battles preparatory to the conquest of the sub-continent. Mahmood of Ghazni took the valley in the 11th century after a fierce battle at Udegram, where his commander Khushal Khan was killed and buried. A mosque dating from the 11th century has been excavated on the hill at Udegram.
The history of modern Swat commences with the emergence of the Akhund Sahib of Swat as a charismatic religious leader and a reformer. With his help and support, Syed Akbar Shah established the rule of Shariat in Swat from 1849 to 1856. But after the sudden death of Syed Akbar Shah, Swat was again left unorganized. In 1915 the territory again started its progression to a more peaceful and stable life when Miangul Abdul Wadood, the grandson of the Akhund Sahib and a powerful political figure of Swat was unanimously declared by the tribes as their king. The Swat state was founded in 1917 by Miangul Abdul Wadood, known as Badshah Sahib. The state of Swat was accorded official recognition by the British Indian Government in 1926 and the title of “Wali” ruler was conferred on Miangul Abdul Wadood. Miangul Wadood abdicated in 1949 in favor of his son, Miangul Jehanzeb, who continued to develop the valley by building roads, schools and hospitals; and more importantly by institutionalizing land reform.
The princely status of Swat, along with the adjoining states of Chitral and Dir, was brought to an end by the presidential order in 1969. And all of them merged in Pakistan. Now Swat is part of Malakand Division which is Provincially Administrated Tribal Area (PATA) of the Khyber Pukhtunkhawa province of Pakistan.
When to go?
Swat Valley is a year around tourist destination, especially lower Swat. However the main tourist season for Swat is from spring to autumn (April to October). April- May is the best period to visit Swat, when the fresh green grass carpet covers the slopes. June to August is the period when most of the domestic tourists from hot plains of Punjab and Sindh escape from the heat of summer and find refuge in the cool Upper Swat. October-November is the season of autumn when yellow and the golden color is the most dominating color in the backdrop of blue sky. December-March are the winter months, the road beyond Baharin is snowbound during this time.
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Abbottabad and Galiyat
Abbottabad is situated 38 miles (61 km) northeast of Rawalpindi. A hill station (4,120 feet [1,256 metres]), it lies on a plateau at the southern corner of the Rash (Orash) Plain and is the gateway to the picturesque Kagan Valley. It is connected by road with the Indus Plain and the Kashmir region and by railhead (at Havelian, 10 miles [16 km] south) with Peshawar. Abbottabad is a district market centre. It was founded in 1853 and named after Maj. James Abbott, the first British deputy commissioner of the region. There are parks, a preparatory school, several colleges affiliated with the University of Peshawar, and a forest research centre. The Pakistan Military Academy is at Kakul, 5 miles (8 km) northeast. Major iron-ore deposits are nearby. With its lush scenery and proximity to the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range, the city is a popular summer resort. Pop. (1998) 106,101.
When to Go
The area of Galiyat has four distinguishable seasons. Spring starts in March and ends in middle of May. Maximum temperature during this period remains 12°C to 20°C and minimum between 4°C to 10°C. The blossom of fruit trees gives spectacular view. Summer season starts from middle of May and ends in late August. This is the best season in the area and it receives most number of visitors during this season. During this time the area also receive heavy monsoon rains. Maximum temperature during this period remains 20°C to 25°C and minimum between 13°C to 16°C. With the advent of September autumn creeps in and last till the starts of winter in the early December. This is the season of clear sky in the region when one can enjoy full view of mountains around without cloud hindrance. Temperatures also remain mild during this period.
Winter season starts in December and normally brings heavy snowfall. During this period the area of Galiyat gets a cover of thick sheet of snow during most part of the season. This is the coldest period in Galiyat and temperature mostly hovers around freezing points.
In which ever seasons you come don’t forget to bring with you enough warm clothes and rain gear as weather of this area is very unpredictable.
.....
TCKP | Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Like.......
.
.
Swat Valley
The beautiful valley of Swat, popularly known as the Switzerland of the East is holiday-makers delight and a hallmark of magnificent scenic beauty and rich historical past.
With its roaring rivers, waterfalls, meandering streams, glacier fed lakes, pine forests, alpine meadows, snow covered peaks of Mankial and Flaksair, fruit laden orchards, lush green fields, flower filled mountain slopes and above all the friendly Swati people who are famous for their traditional hospitality, Swat is without doubt one of the most beautiful tourist destination in the northern valleys of Pakistan.
The Valley of Swat sprawls over 5,337 sq. kilometers. Summer temperature is maximum 22C and minimum 7 C. Saidu Sharif is the capital of Swat and its twin city Mingora is the largest and oldest market town. Madyan, Baharin, Miandam, Kalam and Malam Jabba are its main tourist spots. The elevation ranges from 991 meters (3,300 feet) above sea level at Saidu Sharif to the top its highest mountain Flaksair which is 6,257 meters (20,528 feet) high.
History of Swat
Swat was described as “Udyana” (the garden) in ancient Hindu epics. Alexander the Great crossed Swat River with part of his army in 327BC. He fought and won some of his major battles at Barikot and Udegram and stormed their battlements, before crossing over the plains of the five rivers. In Greek accounts these towns have been identified as Ora and Bazira. After the death of Alexander the Great the Greeks quickly lost effective control of their far flung colonies and soon the northern part of the sub-continent situated west of the Indus which includes Swat was annexed by Chandra Gupta. From the second century BC to the ninth century AD, Swat was cradle of Buddhism where at one time more than 1400 monasteries flourished. The ringing of the bells in these places of worship used to create a strange mysterious impression all around the valley. During this time Swat became famous as the hub of Gandhara School of Sculpture which was an expression of Greco-Roman style mixed with the local Buddhist traditional sculpture. Today, ruins of great Buddhist stupas, monasteries and statues are found all over Swat.
Swat is also the historical land where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmood of Ghazni, Mughal king Babar and Akbar fought their battles preparatory to the conquest of the sub-continent. Mahmood of Ghazni took the valley in the 11th century after a fierce battle at Udegram, where his commander Khushal Khan was killed and buried. A mosque dating from the 11th century has been excavated on the hill at Udegram.
The history of modern Swat commences with the emergence of the Akhund Sahib of Swat as a charismatic religious leader and a reformer. With his help and support, Syed Akbar Shah established the rule of Shariat in Swat from 1849 to 1856. But after the sudden death of Syed Akbar Shah, Swat was again left unorganized. In 1915 the territory again started its progression to a more peaceful and stable life when Miangul Abdul Wadood, the grandson of the Akhund Sahib and a powerful political figure of Swat was unanimously declared by the tribes as their king. The Swat state was founded in 1917 by Miangul Abdul Wadood, known as Badshah Sahib. The state of Swat was accorded official recognition by the British Indian Government in 1926 and the title of “Wali” ruler was conferred on Miangul Abdul Wadood. Miangul Wadood abdicated in 1949 in favor of his son, Miangul Jehanzeb, who continued to develop the valley by building roads, schools and hospitals; and more importantly by institutionalizing land reform.
The princely status of Swat, along with the adjoining states of Chitral and Dir, was brought to an end by the presidential order in 1969. And all of them merged in Pakistan. Now Swat is part of Malakand Division which is Provincially Administrated Tribal Area (PATA) of the Khyber Pukhtunkhawa province of Pakistan.
When to go?
Swat Valley is a year around tourist destination, especially lower Swat. However the main tourist season for Swat is from spring to autumn (April to October). April- May is the best period to visit Swat, when the fresh green grass carpet covers the slopes. June to August is the period when most of the domestic tourists from hot plains of Punjab and Sindh escape from the heat of summer and find refuge in the cool Upper Swat. October-November is the season of autumn when yellow and the golden color is the most dominating color in the backdrop of blue sky. December-March are the winter months, the road beyond Baharin is snowbound during this time.
.
Abbottabad and Galiyat
Abbottabad is situated 38 miles (61 km) northeast of Rawalpindi. A hill station (4,120 feet [1,256 metres]), it lies on a plateau at the southern corner of the Rash (Orash) Plain and is the gateway to the picturesque Kagan Valley. It is connected by road with the Indus Plain and the Kashmir region and by railhead (at Havelian, 10 miles [16 km] south) with Peshawar. Abbottabad is a district market centre. It was founded in 1853 and named after Maj. James Abbott, the first British deputy commissioner of the region. There are parks, a preparatory school, several colleges affiliated with the University of Peshawar, and a forest research centre. The Pakistan Military Academy is at Kakul, 5 miles (8 km) northeast. Major iron-ore deposits are nearby. With its lush scenery and proximity to the Himalayas and the Karakoram Range, the city is a popular summer resort. Pop. (1998) 106,101.
When to Go
The area of Galiyat has four distinguishable seasons. Spring starts in March and ends in middle of May. Maximum temperature during this period remains 12°C to 20°C and minimum between 4°C to 10°C. The blossom of fruit trees gives spectacular view. Summer season starts from middle of May and ends in late August. This is the best season in the area and it receives most number of visitors during this season. During this time the area also receive heavy monsoon rains. Maximum temperature during this period remains 20°C to 25°C and minimum between 13°C to 16°C. With the advent of September autumn creeps in and last till the starts of winter in the early December. This is the season of clear sky in the region when one can enjoy full view of mountains around without cloud hindrance. Temperatures also remain mild during this period.
Winter season starts in December and normally brings heavy snowfall. During this period the area of Galiyat gets a cover of thick sheet of snow during most part of the season. This is the coldest period in Galiyat and temperature mostly hovers around freezing points.
In which ever seasons you come don’t forget to bring with you enough warm clothes and rain gear as weather of this area is very unpredictable.
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